House Democrats are considering bringing back proxy voting, but only for members facing circumstances such as welcoming a child or undergoing medical treatment. The narrower approach would mark a departure from the pandemic-era policy that allowed scores of lawmakers to vote remotely.

The proposal is among the changes Democrats are weighing for the rules governing the next Congress. Republicans ended proxy voting when they took control of the House in 2023, after then-incoming Speaker Kevin McCarthy unsuccessfully sued to block the practice as unconstitutional.

Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi instituted proxy voting in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hundreds of lawmakers from both parties used it over nearly three years, though some cast votes by proxy while attending campaign or personal events.

Rep. Pete Aguilar of California, the No. 3 House Democrat, said the party wants to support members and their growing families while recognizing the complexities of voting in the chamber.

Rep. Brittany Pettersen, D-Colo., is pressing to include a provision allowing 12 weeks of remote voting for new parents, including those adopting a child. Her 2025 proposal has 175 co-sponsors, nine of them Republicans. Hakeem Jeffries, the presumptive incoming speaker, endorsed proxy voting for new parents at a Thursday news conference.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., previously tried to force a vote on the policy through a discharge petition but abandoned the effort after a protracted dispute with Speaker Mike Johnson. Luna said she has discussed advancing the measure next term with Democrats, including Rep. Jared Moskowitz of Florida.

Moskowitz said limited maternity and paternity leave would help accommodate younger lawmakers with families. Rep. Sara Jacobs, D-Calif., said she was confident a new-parent provision would be included, but that the question was what might extend beyond parental leave.

Democrats are also discussing proxy voting for health leave or a process for leadership to review requests individually. Rep. Linda Sanchez, D-Calif., supports a medical provision, while Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., who battled cancer last term, said he was open to exceptions for compelling medical necessity.

Many Democrats remain wary of a broader revival. “It was getting out of hand there at the end during Covid,” Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va., said. “I think it makes more sense to carve out limited exceptions.”