Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) requested to cast a proxy vote for House Democratic Caucus Leadership elections next week because she’s pregnant and under instructions from her doctor not to travel before her due date in December. But the request by Duckworth, an Iraq War veteran who lost both her legs in combat in 2004, was denied, according to National Journal.
The request by Duckworth was read in a letter during a closed-door meeting of the Democratic caucus on Thursday. Objections were raised and the request was ultimately denied. Opponents to Duckworth’s request included Democratic Steering and Policy Committee co-chairwoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT).
“Congresswoman DeLauro does not want to set a precedent,” DeLauro spokeswoman Sara Leonardo said. “There are many meritorious situations where the argument could be made for a waiver, including Congresswoman Duckworth’s. The question is, how do you choose?”
The rules of the Democratic caucus prohibit proxy voting.
Duckworth’s doctor advised her not to travel in the final stages of her pregnancy.
National Journal also cited unnamed Democratic aides who said that the real reason an exception was not made for Duckworth had to do with an intra-party race for the top spot on the Energy and Commerce Committee, which opened up thanks to Rep. Henry Waxman’s (D-CA) decision to retire. Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) are hoping to succeed Waxman. Eshoo is backed by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Pallone is backed by House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD).
