Staff Reports
The latest antics in Congress have given rise to a solution that’s as curious as it is controversial. On Tuesday, lawmakers approved a vote-pairing process designed for those who just welcomed a new bundle of joy or found themselves facing an emergency leave. This arrangement might sound noble. However, the reality is that it’s Democrats throwing a tantrum over their sidelined desire for a return to limited proxy voting for new parents.
House Speaker Mike Johnson managed to strike a deal with Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, much to the chagrin of the left-hand side of the aisle. Rep. Brittany Pettersen from Colorado was quick to voice her discontent, claiming the changes fall short of addressing the challenges faced by new parents in Congress. Apparently, she believes it’s now a Republican vendetta against moms and dads everywhere, despite the fact that they’re more interested in maintaining constitutional integrity.
Vote-pairing works like this: absent lawmakers collaborate with present members to balance their voting power. In simpler terms, it’s like trading lunch snacks in elementary school—if one person doesn’t get to vote, then their partner gives up theirs. The problem is, this could lead to a real mess on those contentious votes where party lines are drawn in sharp, unyielding colors. Finding a willing Republican to collaborate on a vote? Good luck with that!
House adopts vote-pairing for new parents and other lawmakers who need to vote from afarhttps://t.co/RJqwxDpN94 pic.twitter.com/bE2a7UHMD9
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) April 9, 2025
Luna touted the solution as a “good midway” option, trying hard to strike a balance while laughing in the face of the Democrats’ proxy voting dream. Pettersen, on the other hand, claims that this won’t work in practice, arguing that Republicans won’t willingly help out across the aisle when it comes to votes that carry real weight. Her skepticism might just stem from the realization that Republicans aren’t exactly known for their chummy bipartisanship.
The Republicans, standing firm under Johnson’s leadership, have been without reservations about enacting what they regard as fundamental changes to how votes are handled. They believe that reinstating proxy voting would open up a Pandora’s box of complications and abuses—that every new parent would suddenly find themselves “sick” and unable to attend a session. As luck would have it, President Trump threw his weight behind Luna’s proposal, which likely stirred the pot even further.
House Rules Chairwoman Virginia Foxx praised the decision, advocating for a family-centric approach without reverting to the practices championed by the opposing party. The newfound vote-pairing system was deftly passed through on a procedural vote, without the luxury of extensive debate, making quite clear that an air of strategy lingers among those steering the House. Despite the drama from Democrats interested in reviving their precious old ways, it’s a classic case of “you snooze, you lose,” proving once again that Republicans are steering the ship and will not be distracted by every whim from the minority.
