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As COVID-19 cases rise, Congress looks to operate remotely.

For the first time in history, Congress will be allowing proxy voting in house hearings

By Eli Cooper

July 17th, 2020

Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)

            On May 20th, the US House of Representatives voted to transition to proxy voting for members who don’t feel comfortable to be present at the upcoming house meetings. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi announced the government’s plan to move forward in the legislative process by allowing members of congress to use the house clerk’s office to place votes remotely. For 45-day periods, members of the house will meet virtually and cast votes via proxy if they choose to do so. If a member of congress chooses to do a proxy vote, then they must submit a formal notice to the House’s clerk’s office. This formal notice is an official vote on a bill or piece of legislation that will be presented by a congress member of the voter’s choice. The plan, created by the house rules committee, should be the most beneficial operation within the guidelines set by world health agencies and the US’s restrictions.

The move, complete with dress code and decorum rules, was approved 217-189 by the house on May 15th. The sharp divide on this vote was very clearly fueled by bipartisan relations where democrats push to allow voting through fellow members of congress and republicans fearing that this could lead to a consolidation of power among the majority party of the house. This is not a party debate, but rather a question of “will this institution, which has adapted to challenges and technology time and time again throughout its history, adapt so we can continue legislating during this public health emergency,” as said by chairman of the house of rules, Congressman Jim McGovern. This historic change is not a race for power by the democratic party, but rather a practical and applicable way to continue to operate a functional government during this unprecedented time in history.

Congressman Jim McGovern in the House rules committee (D-MA)

            To help ensure the legitimacy of this untested form of voting, members of congress like Arizona Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego are making sure to “double check their phone calls, emails, and texts” to make sure they do it right and pass the vote on without issue. The coming months will be assessed thoroughly to determine the effectiveness of a new voting system and its place in our government in the future.

 

Sources:

Grisales, Claudia. “House Casts Its 1st Remote Votes, With Parties Still Divided On The Issue.” NPR, NPR, 27 May 2020, www.npr.org/2020/05/27/863055639/house-moves-to-cast-its-1st-remote-votes-with-parties-still-divided-on-the-issue .

McPherson, Lindsey. “Pelosi Activates 45-Day Authorization for Proxy Voting, Remote Committee Meetings.” Roll Call, 20 May 2020, www.rollcall.com/2020/05/20/pelosi-activates-45-day-authorization-for-proxy-voting-remote-committee-meetings/.

Prignano, Christina. “Representative Jim McGovern Calls for House Committee to Begin Impeachment Inquiry – The Boston Globe.” BostonGlobe.com, The Boston Globe, 30 May 2019, www.bostonglobe.com/news/politics/2019/05/30/rep-jim-mcgovern-calls-for-house-committee-begin-impeachment-inquiry/ThABRpn7RrKNs0wVeJXWFP/story.html .

Tully-McManus, Katherine. “Historic Rule Change OKs House Proxy Votes and Virtual Committees.” Roll Call, 15 May 2020, www.rollcall.com/2020/05/15/historic-rule-change-oks-house-proxy-votes-and-virtual-committees/ .

 

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