Overview
Title
Permitting parental remote voting by proxy, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
This bill lets members of the House of Representatives have someone else vote for them if they just had a baby, so they can spend more time with their new family. They can use this helper voter for up to 12 weeks, but they can't use these votes to help decide if there are enough people in the room to start a meeting.
Summary AI
H. RES. 23 allows Members of the U.S. House of Representatives who become parents, either through birth themselves or their spouse, to vote remotely by designating another Member as a proxy. This proxy voting can last for up to 12 weeks following the birth, and can be arranged before the birth if medically necessary. The resolution outlines procedures for assigning a proxy, the responsibilities of the Clerk in maintaining records, and rules for casting votes by proxy. It also specifies that proxy votes cannot be used to establish a quorum and extends these proxy arrangements to Delegates and the Resident Commissioner, with certain restrictions.
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AnalysisAI
General Summary
H. RES. 23, known as the "Proxy Voting for New Parents Resolution," is legislation introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives that aims to allow Members of Congress who are becoming parents to participate in voting remotely by designating another Member as their proxy. This proxy voting can occur in both the House and committee settings. Members can designate a proxy after the birth of a child or in advance if related serious medical issues arise. The proxy arrangement is intended to last for 12 weeks. This resolution also applies to Delegates and the Resident Commissioner, although with some limitations regarding their voting capabilities.
Summary of Significant Issues
One key issue is the potential lack of limits on the number of proxies a Member of Congress can designate, potentially opening the door to misuse of the system. In relation to the verification of medical conditions, the bill does not specify a clear mechanism to authenticate such claims, which could lead to misuse.
There are concerns about the security and authenticity of electronically submitted proxy designations. Furthermore, the prohibition of using proxies to establish a quorum might complicate legislative processes, particularly during periods when multiple Members are on parental leave.
Additionally, designating Delegates and the Resident Commissioner under the same conditions as Members could create confusion. This is compounded by the absence of a clear dispute-resolution process for proxy voting issues.
Impact on the Public
Broadly, this resolution reflects a growing acknowledgment of the importance of work-life balance and the significance of parental responsibilities. By allowing Members of Congress to maintain their legislative duties while starting or expanding their families, the bill aligns with modern workforce trends that support family-friendly policies.
However, the public may also be concerned with maintaining the integrity and efficiency of legislative processes. If the system can be manipulated or results in significant procedural delays due to quorum challenges or proxy misuse, public trust in congressional operations might be affected.
Impact on Stakeholders
For Members of Congress, this resolution provides a significant benefit by supporting parental needs without forcing them to sacrifice their legislative roles. It encourages greater participation and could result in increased diversity among representatives by making Congressional service more accessible to those who are or expect to become parents.
For political parties and legislative leaders, the prohibition of proxy votes for quorum purposes may present challenges in maintaining legislative momentum, especially if many Members use the provision simultaneously. They will need to manage potential disruptions and ensure that legislative processes continue smoothly.
Finally, for the Delegates and the Resident Commissioner, while the resolution extends some benefits, it highlights the limitation of their roles since they may not vote in the House and have constraints on assigning or being assigned proxies. This reflects a balance between offering inclusivity and maintaining the traditional voting rights and responsibilities of fully elected representatives.
Issues
The absence of limits on the number of proxies a Member can designate in Section 2 could potentially be exploited, raising concerns about the integrity of voting and legislative proceedings.
Section 2(b) does not clearly specify a mechanism for verifying the authenticity of medical conditions related to pregnancy, which could lead to misuse of proxy voting privileges.
There are security and authenticity concerns regarding the submission of proxy designation letters electronically, as mentioned in Section 2(b), if not properly safeguarded.
The decision to allow proxy voting only for 12 weeks after the birth or initial designation, as outlined in Section 2(a)(2), could lead to inconsistencies if the birth is delayed or other complications arise.
Prohibiting the use of proxy votes to establish a quorum in Section 2(e) and Section 3(f) could create significant challenges in maintaining quorum during sessions, especially when several Members are using this proxy voting option.
The lack of clarity on whether proxy votes can be used for all types of legislation or if there are restrictions, as noted in Section 2, raises questions about the scope and limitation of proxy voting.
The absence of a process for resolving disputes related to proxy voting, mentioned in Section 2, could lead to complications and contestations during legislative processes.
In Section 4, designating Delegates and the Resident Commissioner as 'Members' and 'States' might create confusion, given their distinct status and powers compared to elected congressional representatives and states.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section titled "Short title" simply states that the resolution can be referred to as the “Proxy Voting for New Parents Resolution.”
2. Authorization of remote voting by proxy in House and in Committee of the Whole for Members becoming parents Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
Members of the U.S. House of Representatives who become parents can temporarily allow another Member to vote on their behalf through proxy voting. This special permission is valid for 12 weeks from the date of birth and requires the Member to submit written approval to the Clerk, with specific rules and responsibilities outlined for both the Member and the Clerk.
3. Authorization of remote voting by proxy in committee for Members becoming parents Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
A Member of Congress who is becoming a parent can allow another Member to vote on their behalf in committee meetings. To do this, they must submit a signed letter naming their chosen proxy before any relevant committee meeting. They can change or cancel this arrangement anytime, but if they vote in person, the proxy arrangement is automatically canceled. The proxy is not counted towards meeting quorum requirements.
4. Application to Delegates and the Resident Commissioner Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
For the purposes of certain sections of the bill, the term "Member" includes Delegates and the Resident Commissioner, and "State" includes the District of Columbia and territories. However, this does not allow Delegates or the Resident Commissioner to vote or record their presence in the House, and they can only be designated as a proxy by another Delegate or the Resident Commissioner.