Rep. Anna Paulina Luna Secures 218 Signatures for Parental Proxy Voting, Pushes Patriot Act Repeal

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) is making significant legislative waves in Congress, advocating for the full repeal of the Patriot Act and championing parental proxy voting, a stance that recently led to her resignation from the House Freedom Caucus. Her efforts, highlighted in an exclusive interview with The Post Millennial, underscore her commitment to privacy rights and family-friendly policies amidst internal congressional disputes. The Florida congresswoman's legislative agenda reflects a blend of personal experience and a desire to reform government practices.

Representative Luna has introduced the "American Privacy Restoration Act," a bill aimed at fully repealing the USA Patriot Act, a post-9/11 law widely criticized for expanding government surveillance. In her interview with The Post Millennial, Luna stated, "I recently had something to repeal the Patriot Act because I think that there's a lot of egregious civil liberty violations in that bill that was passed." She noted a shift in congressional sentiment, adding, "Now there's actually been a lot of people, very — a lot of folks on the left that actually co-sponsored the repeal of the Patriot Act." She believes that even some within the intelligence community support its repeal, despite leadership's reluctance to bring it to a floor vote due to perceived intelligence community control.

A key focus for Luna has been the issue of motherhood in Congress, stemming from her own experience after giving birth in August 2023. She has passionately advocated for a rule change allowing new parents to vote by proxy, a measure that garnered 218 signatures for a discharge petition, enough to force a House vote. Luna expressed her personal conviction, stating, "Even though I’m a member of Congress, being his mom has been one of the greatest honors that I’ve ever had." She previously articulated her belief that "You shouldn't be forced as women, especially lawmakers, to choose between having a career and a family."

This push for parental proxy voting led to a notable internal conflict, culminating in Luna's resignation from the House Freedom Caucus. The tweet from The Post Millennial alluded to "cat fights in Congress," a sentiment echoed by Luna's departure. She accused a "small group" within the caucus of threatening House Speaker Mike Johnson to block her proxy voting initiative. In her resignation letter, Luna stated that the "mutual respect that has guided our caucus... was shattered last week," criticizing members for operating outside guidelines and engaging in "backroom deals" that undermined core values.

Luna's legislative and political actions highlight the evolving dynamics within the Republican party and Congress at large. Her bipartisan approach to issues like Patriot Act reform and her personal advocacy for parental rights in the workplace position her as a distinctive voice. Her willingness to challenge established norms, even within her own party, signals a continued focus on individual liberties and a modernized approach to congressional operations.