Pairing

In the House, a "gentleman's agreement" between two Members on opposite sides of an issue when one or both will be absent at the time of the vote. Pairing recognizes that one Member's vote would be canceled by the other's vote, if both were present and voting. A "live pair" occurs when one of the two Members in the pair agreement is present and votes. He (or she) then withdraws the vote, announcing his live pair with the absent colleague, and identifying how both would have voted.