House Speaker Johnson, Rep. Luna Finalize Proxy Voting Agreement

House Speaker Mike Johnson has reached a compromise with Rep. Anna Paulina Luna to address the issue of proxy voting for new parents, which had caused a legislative standoff. Instead of allowing remote voting, the agreement formalizes a historical practice known as 'vote pairing,' where a present lawmaker cancels out the vote of an absent member. This method will also be applicable to those facing emergencies or bereavement. The arrangement allows a narrow group of lawmakers, particularly women with medical complications post-childbirth, to register their positions on legislation without being physically present. While this solution has been criticized as insufficient for new parents, it enables the House to move forward with legislative business. President Trump has expressed support for making Congress more accommodating to families, backing Luna's initiative for improved parental engagement.