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You ever feel like you’re experiencing the start of a revolution — not the loud kind with marches and megaphones (though there’s a time and place for that), but the quieter kind, where policies shift, perspectives open, and people from both sides of the aisle start to actually agree on something?

This week, that shift is happening in Congress.

Here’s what went down: Two moms in Congress — Reps. Anna Paulina Luna (a Republican from Florida) and Brittany Pettersen (a Democrat from Colorado) — teamed up to introduce a bipartisan resolution that would allow members of Congress to vote by proxy for up to 12 weeks after the birth or adoption of a child.

In other words: if you just had a baby, you can still do your job and be there for your family. It sounds simple (and humane), right?

But here’s the kicker: House Speaker Mike Johnson tried to shut it down.

He called a surprise vote to block the resolution from even getting a full debate on the floor. No public hearings, no discussion — just a procedural maneuver to kill it quietly. And if that had worked? It would’ve meant: sorry, new parents in Congress, keep your baby and your vote and stay home.

Only… it didn’t work.

Every Democrat and nine Republicans voted to stop that move — defying their own party leadership. Let’s pause on that for a second. In this polarized, gridlocked moment in Washington, you had lawmakers cross the aisle to say: enough. Enough pretending that parenting is a fringe issue. Enough pretending that caregiving isn’t real work. Enough with outdated systems that punish people for starting families.

It’s a reminder that parenting is not — and never should be — a partisan issue.

Speaker Johnson’s opposition was based on a claim that allowing proxy voting for new parents is “unconstitutional.” That’s a big word to throw around when what we’re really talking about is basic humanity — a member of Congress recovering from childbirth or caring for an adopted child should not have to choose between healing, bonding, and representing their constituents.

What’s even more galling is that proxy voting was totally allowed during the pandemic. Back then, it wasn’t controversial. But now that moms are asking for it in the context of caregiving? Suddenly it’s a problem.

Let’s be clear: This isn’t just about Congress. This is about all of us — those who’ve pumped breast milk in office closets, who’ve returned to work days after delivery because we couldn’t afford not to, who’ve been beholden to daycare waitlists wondering how the hell we’re supposed to make this all work.

Representative Pettersen brought her newborn to D.C. just to cast her vote in favor of this policy. She said, “How are we in 2025 and we still haven’t modernized Congress to reflect real life?” And she’s right.

But the tide is turning.

We’re seeing something beautiful start to take shape: a parenting revolution. It’s moms and dads across the political spectrum finally agreeing on something — that taking care of our kids shouldn’t cost us our jobs. That parenting deserves policies. That dignity doesn’t end when parental leave begins.

It’s not just about one rule or one vote. It’s about momentum. This is how change happens — and it’s happening right now.

So what happens next?

Now that Speaker Johnson’s attempt to block the resolution failed, the path is open for a full debate and vote in the House. If the resolution passes, it would officially change the House rules to allow new parents to vote by proxy for up to 12 weeks — a game-changing shift in how Congress treats caregiving.

But it’s not a done deal yet. Lawmakers need to feel the pressure, and we need to keep showing up, speaking out, and letting them know: this matters. Because it does. To every mom juggling a career and a crying newborn. To every dad who’s stepping up and not being sidelined. To every voter who believes Congress should look more like the country it serves.

What we’re seeing here is the beginning of something powerful — a new alliance among parents. It doesn’t matter if you’re red, blue, or somewhere in between. If you’ve ever packed a diaper bag while answering emails, or rocked a baby with one arm while signing into a meeting with the other, this moment is for you.

Since the founding of Moms First, we’ve fought to build a movement across party lines. Some folks thought it was impossible. But we know that we can only win when we come together.

And this week we saw the fruits of our labor.

This is how change starts — with one policy, one vote, one brave parent who says, “This isn’t working,” and dares to do something about it. And it’s not just about Congress. It’s about building a world where all workplaces — not just the halls of power — recognize that family and career should never be in competition.

We’re at the start of a parenting revolution, a mom revolution. You can feel it. And as always, moms are leading the way.

 
We’re headed to DC next week to deliver our letter to the White House! This is the last week to take action on these two issues. Add your name now:

 
When Child Care Disappears: What’s Happening at Orange Coast College — and Why It Matters

Something heartbreaking is unfolding in Costa Mesa, California. After more than 40 years of serving local families, the Harry & Grace Steele Children’s Center at Orange Coast College (OCC) is being dramatically downsized. Over half of its child care services are set to be cut. More than 60 families will lose care. And the educators who’ve devoted their careers to this community are facing layoffs.

In February 2025, families and staff were given the news of the closure — and that most teachers would be laid off within four months.

One member of our Moms First community, Desireé DeLattre, and other parents, staff, and students sprang into action. Together, they built a detailed, financially sound business plan that would keep the center running, save jobs, and even turn a profit within a year. College leaders acknowledged it made sense — and then rejected it.

What’s happening at OCC is part of a larger trend — where community child care is being sacrificed and public child care programs are being quietly dismantled. We can’t afford to look away.

OCC parents are organizing. And they need us to stand with them. Learn more about what the parents in the OCC community are doing to help save their center and find ways to get involved (and tips to help you if your community is facing a similar situation).

Are you a mom on a mission to change the future of motherhood? Let us know what you’re up to — email firstword@momsfirst.us.

 
Check out what people are saying about Moms First in the news:

  • My podcast — My So-Called Midlife with Reshma Saujani — just snagged a Webby nomination (!!) It’s such a privilege to shine a light on a stage of life for women and moms that’s been ignored for far too long. Got 30 seconds? Cast a vote and help us bring a Webby award home!

Thanks for reading our second edition of The First Word. If this story fired you up, send it to a friend or fellow parent. Change starts with awareness — but it only sticks when we act together.

 
Let’s keep pushing,
Reshma Saujani