In a dramatic turn of events, House Speaker Mike Johnson has brokered an agreement with Rep. Anna Paulina Luna to halt her high-profile campaign for proxy voting in the U.S. House of Representatives. The deal, finalized on April 7, 2025, puts an end to a contentious standoff that had paralyzed legislative proceedings for nearly a week and exposed deep rifts within the Republican Party.
The saga began when Luna, a Florida Republican and new mother, championed a bipartisan proposal to allow House members to vote by proxy for up to 12 weeks following the birth or adoption of a child. The measure gained traction across party lines, bolstered by support from President Donald Trump, who publicly endorsed it on April 4, calling it a “common-sense” solution for new parents in Congress. With a discharge petition securing 218 signatures—enough to force a floor vote—Luna’s initiative seemed poised to succeed despite Johnson’s staunch opposition.
Johnson, a vocal critic of proxy voting, argued that it undermined the “integrity” of the House and could set a dangerous precedent. His resistance culminated in a failed procedural maneuver on April 1, when nine Republicans joined Democrats to defeat a rule that would have blocked Luna’s petition. The loss forced Johnson to cancel House votes for the remainder of that week, sending lawmakers home and drawing sharp criticism from both sides of the aisle.
The breakthrough came over the weekend, as Johnson and Luna negotiated a compromise. Instead of proxy voting, they agreed to formalize a historic procedure known as “live/dead pairing,” a system dating back to the 1800s. Under this arrangement, an absent member’s vote is paired with an opposing vote from a present member, effectively canceling each other out. Luna announced the deal on X, stating it would apply to “new parents, bereaved, [and] emergencies,” allowing flexibility for lawmakers unable to be physically present. Johnson also pledged to enhance accommodations for new mothers, including plans for a nursing room near the House floor.
While the agreement resolves the immediate crisis, it has not quelled all dissent. Democrats, including Rep. Sara Jacobs of California, who co-sponsored the original proxy voting effort, expressed skepticism about the compromise, arguing it falls short of the robust support new parents need. Meanwhile, some conservative Republicans, particularly from the Freedom Caucus, remain wary of any mechanism that softens in-person voting requirements.
The resolution clears the way for the House to resume its legislative agenda, including a critical budget framework tied to Trump’s tax cut priorities. Yet, the episode underscores Johnson’s fragile grip on his party, especially without Trump’s direct intervention to unify the ranks. As the 119th Congress moves forward, this clash may signal more battles to come over how the House adapts to the modern demands of its members.
For now, Johnson and Luna have found common ground, but the debate over balancing family life with congressional duty is far from settled. As Rep. Brittany Pettersen, a Colorado Democrat and co-sponsor, put it, “In 2025, it’s unfathomable that we’re still fighting to modernize Congress.” Whether this compromise holds or reignites tensions remains to be seen.
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