Speaker Johnson Reaches Agreement with Rep. Luna on Parental Proxy Voting
New Deal to End Legislative Paralysis
Speaker Mike Johnson and Representative Anna Paulina Luna of Florida have brokered a significant deal to resolve the ongoing dispute over proxy voting for new parents. This resolution is set to break the nearly week-long legislative standstill on the House floor, which had been caused by the debate over allowing new parents to vote remotely.
The Mechanics of Vote Pairing
House Republican leaders plan to formalize a process known as "vote pairing." This procedure allows an absent member to coordinate with a present member on the opposite side of a vote to effectively neutralize each other’s votes. While this is not equivalent to remote voting, it provides a way for new parents and others who cannot be present to ensure their absence does not affect legislative outcomes.
For example, a new mother unable to attend a House vote can form a "pair" with a colleague who is voting contrary to her position, thereby maintaining the balance of votes. However, logistical details of implementing this agreement remain unclear, including enforcement mechanisms.
Historical Context and Past Usage
Vote pairing is not a common practice in Congress but has been utilized in the past. In 2018, during the Senate’s vote to confirm Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, who opposed Kavanaugh’s confirmation, paired her vote with Senator Steve Daines of Montana to cancel out their opposing votes.
Legislative Details and Political Implications
The specifics of the agreement were outlined during a GOP member conference call by Speaker Johnson. Following the deal, Rep. Luna has opted not to pursue her bipartisan discharge petition, which had gathered 218 signatures. This petition aimed to allow new parents to vote remotely for up to 12 weeks following childbirth.
In a statement on X, Rep. Luna announced the agreement and explained the adoption of "live/dead pairing," a practice dating back to the 1800s. This procedure will be available for the entire conference, not only for new parents but also for those unable to vote due to bereavement or emergencies.
Reactions and Future Considerations
Rep. Luna expressed her gratitude to former President Donald Trump for his support of new mothers, emphasizing the necessity of such changes for a pro-family Congress. Despite this agreement, it remains possible for other members, including Democrats who signed the petition, to force action on Luna’s measure. However, this effort may not succeed if Republicans adhere to the vote pairing agreement.
Moreover, Speaker Johnson is exploring additional ways to support new mothers in Congress, such as creating a dedicated room for nursing mothers adjacent to the House floor, thereby increasing accessibility and support for new parents serving in Congress.