This Week in Congress

Congress was in session this week, with the House canceling votes for the remainder of the week after a rule (H Res 282) came up short on Tuesday in response to leaders' efforts to block a bid to allow recent parents to vote by proxy. Rep. Pettersen (D-CO) introduced a proxy proposal (H Res 23) to allow mothers and fathers to designate a colleague to vote on their behalf for up to 12 weeks after the birth of a child. Rep. Luna (R-FL) filed a discharge petition for the measure in March, quickly hitting the 218-member threshold needed to force a vote on the House floor despite the objections of leadership. On Tuesday, Rep. Luna (R-FL) gave notice of her intent to start the discharge process, which means the resolution must be considered within two legislative days. With the rule rejected, House Republican Leadership quickly moved to cancel votes for the rest of the week. The move gives them time to regroup and consider any remaining strategies to block the proxy measure's momentum.

The Senate voted on a budget resolution and on a resolution (S.J. Res. 37) to end the national emergency President Trump declared as a legal basis for his imposition of tariffs on imports from Canada. The chamber also voted on Trump administration nominees.