California Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon issued an apology to Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks after denying her the ability to vote by proxy despite her recent labor.
“I want to make a full apology to Assemblymember Wicks,” Rendon said in a statement. “My intention was never to be inconsiderate toward her, her role as a legislator, or her role as a mother.”
I want to make a full apology to @asmbuffywicks.
My intention was never to be inconsiderate toward her, her role as a legislator, or her role as a mother.
My full statement is below. pic.twitter.com/ZZcFWt7gI2
— Anthony Rendon (@Rendon63rd) September 2, 2020
Wicks garnered national attention after video showed her swaddling her newborn on the Assembly floor while advocating for legislation to make it easier to create multiunit housing.
Absolutely devastated about #SB1120. Our housing crisis requires us to act, and tonight we failed to do that.
But I promise you this: I will *always* show up for housing — no matter what. pic.twitter.com/I4n6X07CNp
— Buffy Wicks (@BuffyWicks) September 1, 2020
The Democrat was denied the ability to vote by proxy even as Republicans in the state Senate were allowed to vote remotely. Erin Ivie, a spokeswoman for Wicks, said on Monday that the request was denied “on the grounds that maternity leave is not eligible for proxy voting.”
Rendon, also a Democrat, adopted the rules on Aug. 3 about proxy voting amid the coronavirus pandemic to allow those at high-risk for COVID-19 to abstain from voting in-person.
The speaker argued that proxy voting could lead to bills being passed in a way that could be constitutionally invalid. The ability to vote by proxy was not used by anybody after the rules were passed.
Rendon added being inclusive to women is part of his Democratic ideals he aspires to live up to moving forward.
“Inclusivity and electing more women into politics are core elements of our Democratic values,” Rendon said. “Nevertheless, I failed to make sure our process took into account the unique needs of our Members. The Assembly needs to do better. I commit to doing better.”
