“Vote pairing” – used in the 1800s – will include new parents, balancing off those who are absent from chamber votes.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson reached a compromise on House policy with Representative Anna Paulina Luna on Sunday, who has promoted a measure to allow proxy voting in the House for new parents unable to attend sessions in person.
Congresswoman Luna had reached the minimum signatures to force a discharge petition to advance her proposition without the speaker’s approval, bringing House operations to a standstill as Speaker Johnson tried to avoid a forced vote in the chamber. Speaker Johnson and Representative Luna agreed to formalize “vote pairing,” a procedure in which an absent representative requests that a member from the opposite party also abstain from voting, thereby canceling out both votes.
“Speaker Johnson and I have reached an agreement and are formalizing a procedure called ‘live/dead pairing’ — dating back to the 1800s — for the entire conference to use when unable to physically be present to vote: new parents, bereaved, emergencies,” the Florida congresswoman stated.
“Thanks to POTUS and his support of new moms being able to vote when recovering from childbirth as well as those who worked hard to get these changes done. If we truly want a younger Congress… these are the changes that need to happen,” she added.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Speaker Johnson to receive God’s guidance as he oversees the business of the House.
- For members of Congress to be discerning as they advocate for bills and rules in the Legislative Branch.
Sources: The Hill, Townhall, USA Today
