51�Թ�

On Tuesday, Johnson attempted to block a bipartisan bill to permit House members to vote by proxy, aided by technology, when on parental leave.

The only way fathers are currently protected from redundancy is if they opt to take shared parental leave.

Employed at a large tech firm with a supportive parental leave policy, they had carefully built their life in San Jose, California.

If MSs need parental leave, have long term illness, caring responsibilities, or are suffering a bereavement someone can cast a proxy vote on their behalf.

In the US there is only a federal guarantee of unpaid parental leave, although some states, such as California, now offer paid time away from work after the birth of a child.