This was unexpected.
Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna Quits House Freedom Caucus Over Pro-Family Voting Dispute — Slams GOP Backroom Deals
In a dramatic shake-up inside the GOP, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) has officially resigned from the House Freedom Caucus, citing betrayal, internal sabotage, and a disturbing lack of respect for family-centered conservative values.
In a letter shared Monday, Luna revealed her reasons: a small group of Republican colleagues worked behind the scenes to sabotage her efforts to allow new parents in Congress to vote remotely for 12 weeks following childbirth—a policy she called modest, pro-family, and deeply needed.
“That mutual respect was shattered last week,” she wrote. “This wasn’t about politics. This was about protecting the role of mothers and fathers—something our party claims to champion.”
Luna’s legislation, supported by several Republicans and even some Democrats, proposed a rule change using a “discharge petition”—a rarely used tool that can bring bills to the floor without leadership approval. But what followed stunned many conservatives.
A faction of hardliners reportedly blocked unrelated votes in protest, threatening Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and demanding the petition be stopped—even if it meant stalling President Trump’s legislative agenda.
🔥 GOP Infighting Erupts Over Pro-Family Measure
“This wasn’t some left-wing stunt,” Luna wrote. “This was about giving America’s lawmakers—especially mothers, fewer than 14 in history—a chance to serve and care for their families.”
She applauded Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris (R-MD) for his “gentlemanly” conduct but blasted others for what she called “backroom deals,” “media smears,” and “rule-breaking behavior.”
“I can’t stay in a group where the rules no longer apply, where people twist the truth and undermine what we stand for behind closed doors,” Luna wrote.
She’s the first Freedom Caucus member to resign this session. Past departures, like Reps. Warren Davidson (R-OH) and Randy Weber (R-TX), were reportedly forced out quietly. Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX) also left recently.
🚨 Speaker Johnson Responds: “Unconstitutional”
Speaker Mike Johnson didn’t mince words. After Tuesday’s closed-door GOP meeting, he called proxy voting—even for new parents—“unconstitutional.”
“I’m pro-family. I’m a father myself,” Johnson said. “But if you open the door for proxy votes—even for new moms—what’s the limiting principle? Where does it end?”
Texas Rep. Chip Roy echoed that sentiment, warning the measure could be abused.
“Cancer patients, dads, or even people voting from boats—once you start down that road, you can’t control where it goes,” he posted on X.
🇺🇸 What This Means for Conservatives
This fight isn’t just procedural—it’s ideological. Conservatives are grappling with how to support families without compromising the constitutional process. Luna’s exit puts that struggle front and center.
For those who believe in family values, transparency, and loyalty to President Trump’s America First agenda, Luna’s resignation may signal a call to refocus the GOP’s priorities—before internal politics derail the movement.
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