Pelosi backs remote voting for House | TheHill - The Hill

Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiRepublicans go on attack as loans for small businesses start to run out Democratic rep pushes for eligibility for coronavirus lending programs to be extended to chambers of commerce Business loan funds almost exhausted as Schumer, Mnuchin wrestle over deal MORE (D-Calif.) on Thursday endorsed a proposal by Rules Committee Chairman Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) that would allow House lawmakers to vote remotely during the coronavirus crisis.

“We don’t know how long this pandemic will threaten public health, or how long state stay at home orders will last. We all know, though, that Congress needs to be working, whether in person, remotely, or both,” McGovern said in a statement. 

The Speaker’s Office forwarded the statement from McGovern to reporters, a sign of her backing for the proposal.

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“We should not wait for this pandemic to end to make changes to the rules that help us to do our jobs in such an unprecedented time,” McGovern added. “I hope my colleagues, Democratic and Republican, can work together to implement this temporary solution.”

Leaders in both parties have been skeptical of allowing lawmakers to vote on legislation without being present in the Capitol. But the idea has been gaining traction after at least six lawmakers tested positive for COVID-19 and Congress finds it has limited ways to quickly respond to the crisis without members being physically present in the Capitol.

A handful of U.S. Capitol Police officers and congressional staffers have also tested positive.

In a conference call Thursday with his Democratic colleagues, McGovern recommended that the House change its rules to allow proxy voting, which would permit absent members to authorize another member physically present in the chamber to cast a vote on their behalf.

McGovern previously floated the idea in a report his office issued last month outlining options for lawmakers to vote during the crisis in a way that adheres to public health guidelines.

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But Thursday marked the first time that the powerful Rules chairman publicly endorsed the idea as the best option available.

And unlike testing and setting up some kind of system involving technology, like videoconferencing software, McGovern argued that this type of proxy voting — what he called “temporary, low-tech remote voting” — could be implemented much faster.

“This system would enable members to vote remotely in a secure way, without using the kind of technology that is susceptible to hacking or interference by foreign bad actors. And because it doesn’t rely on some new technology being stood up and vigorously tested, it could give members a say on important legislation,” McGovern said.

But it’s unclear whether Republicans would sign onto the proposed rules change.

GOP support would be necessary to adopt the rules change by unanimous consent or voice vote. Otherwise, members would have to be physically present in the chamber to vote on the rules change.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthyKevin Owen McCarthyRepublicans go on attack as loans for small businesses start to run out Democratic rep pushes for eligibility for coronavirus lending programs to be extended to chambers of commerce Business loan funds almost exhausted as Schumer, Mnuchin wrestle over deal MORE (R-Calif.) expressed opposition to the idea of proxy voting last month, telling The Hill that “I don't think proxy voting is healthy. It puts too much power in one hand.”

But other high-profile GOP lawmakers like Republican Conference Chairwoman Liz CheneyElizabeth (Liz) Lynn CheneyOn The Money: Trump set to unveil guidelines on reopening economy | Food supply worries grow after Smithfield meat plant closure | Business tax provisions in coronavirus relief law spark controversy Trump sparks GOP backlash with claim of 'total' power to reopen the country House GOP leaders back effort to boost small-business loans MORE (R-Wyo.) and Rep. Elise StefanikElise Marie StefanikNY, NJ lawmakers call for more aid to help fight coronavirus Bottom line Overnight Health Care: CDC recommends face coverings in public | Resistance to social distancing sparks new worries | Controversy over change of national stockpile definition | McConnell signals fourth coronavirus bill MORE (R-N.Y.) have pushed for some form of remote voting.

“I think there’s a growing consensus that it’s inevitable at this point,” one senior GOP aide told The Hill, “and if something is not done that Congress will render itself irrelevant in responding to this crisis.”

There is precedent for proxy voting in House and Senate committees, but not on the floor of either chamber.

The House last month passed the $2 trillion coronavirus relief package by voice vote, but it took some creative steps for leaders of both parties to circumvent Rep. Thomas MassieThomas Harold MassieSchumer and Mnuchin inch closer to a deal on small business lending, increased aid for hospitals and states Democrats try to force McConnell's hand on coronavirus aid Food supply worries grow after outbreak closes Smithfield meat plant MORE’s (R-Ky.) demand for a roll call vote.

House leaders scrambled to call back as many members as possible to the Capitol so they could establish a quorum with at least 216 lawmakers on hand to override Massie’s request. But in order to ensure members could adhere to physical distancing guidelines, they directed many members to sit in the visitors’ galleries overlooking the chamber instead of cramming everyone on the House floor as usual.

Massie has threatened again in recent days to block passage of any future coronavirus relief measure without a roll call vote.

House and Senate leaders have been negotiating an interim measure to replenish the popular small business loan program, which has already run dry of funding. But that has been held up for the last week since Democrats demanded that Congress also authorize additional funds for hospitals and state governments at the same time.

Juliegrace Brufke contributed.

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