Trump agenda back on track in House after Johnson strikes deal with GOP rebels
House Republicans are gearing up to advance two key bills supported by President Donald Trump this week, following a resolution of a standoff between House Speaker Mike Johnson and Rep. Anna Paulina Luna over the issue of remote voting for new parents in Congress.
The House is scheduled to vote on the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, which mandates proof of citizenship in the voter registration process. Additionally, the No Rogue Rulings Act (NORRA) by Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., which aims to restrict district court judges’ ability to issue orders blocking Trump policies nationwide, will also be brought to the floor for a vote.
Last week, plans to vote on these bills were disrupted due to a disagreement over House procedures, causing a halt in regular legislative business. However, a compromise was reached between Speaker Johnson and Rep. Luna over the use of live/dead pairing, an old congressional custom dating back to the 1800s. This procedure will allow absent members, such as new parents or those facing emergencies, to have their votes paired with opposing votes, with neither counting but their positions being noted in the Congressional Record.
This agreement signifies a significant shift towards a more modern and pro-family Congress, as advocated by President Trump and supported by those working to implement these changes. Additionally, accessibility for young mothers in the Capitol will be enhanced as part of the compromise.
The House was thrown into chaos last week when a group of GOP lawmakers disrupted leadership’s efforts to block Rep. Luna’s bill allowing new parents to vote by proxy for 12 weeks after a child’s birth. The standoff culminated in a failed attempt by House GOP leaders to quash Luna’s legislation through attaching language to an unrelated measure.
Despite these challenges, the House is also navigating the Senate’s reconciliation framework to advance Trump’s agenda on defense, energy, the border, and taxes. Republican leaders remain committed to moving forward with this legislation, despite concerns from fiscal hawks regarding differences between the Senate and House views on the issue.
Overall, the House is set to make significant progress on key bills supported by President Trump, following the resolution of internal disputes and a commitment to modernize congressional procedures to accommodate new parents and other members facing unique circumstances. This compromise reflects a step towards a more inclusive and efficient legislative process.
