Florida Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna announced her resignation from the House Freedom Caucus on Monday night, following the group’s decision to block a vote on her proposal that would allow new parents to vote by proxy in the House. This move was intended to ease the burden on new mothers and fathers who may find it challenging to travel with their infants.
In a letter addressed to the caucus, Luna expressed her disappointment, stating, “For several years, I have stood shoulder to shoulder with you… My goal has always been to work alongside like-minded individuals committed to fighting for the American people.” However, she felt that the respect and collaboration within the caucus had been compromised.
Luna explained that her proposal was a modest, family-centered initiative aimed at supporting new parents in Congress, a group that has historically been very small. She accused a faction within the caucus of threatening to halt House proceedings unless the Speaker altered the rules to block her discharge petition, which sought to bring her proposal to a vote. When compromise was not reached, she claimed that some members of the Freedom Caucus on the House Rules Committee worked to undermine her initiative by tying it to another piece of legislation, effectively killing her proposal.
She expressed her frustration at being misrepresented and accused of obstructing the President’s agenda, stating, “The intent was clear: to misrepresent me and the members supporting this pro-life, pro-family initiative.” Luna pointed out the irony that while she has never voted by proxy, one of her colleagues on the Rules Committee, who opposed her measure, had done so over 30 times.
In her resignation letter, Luna thanked Chairman Harris for his integrity during the discussions but emphasized that she could not remain part of a caucus where a select few operated outside its guidelines and engaged in backroom deals that undermined the group’s core values. She expressed gratitude to those who had treated her with respect and acknowledged the importance of using discharge petitions to represent constituents and encourage a younger voice in Washington.
Luna concluded her letter with a strong message about the responsibilities of lawmakers, stating, “The Constitution entrusts us with a sacred duty to serve, not to manipulate rules for power or to silence dissent. When we abandon that duty, we erode the very foundation we claim to defend.” Her resignation highlights the ongoing tensions within the Republican Party and the challenges faced by members advocating for family-friendly policies in a polarized political environment.
