Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a House resolution that authorizes remote voting by proxy and remote committee proceedings during a public health emergency due to the COVID-19 coronavirus.

Highlights:

• Authorizes the Speaker of the House of Representatives, or the Speaker’s designee, to designate a covered period during which a Congress member who is designated by another Congress member as a proxy may cast a vote on behalf of that member, at any time after the Speaker is notified that a public health emergency due to the COVID-19 coronavirus is in effect (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that a covered period will terminate 45 days after the Speaker or the Speaker’s designee designates such a period unless it is extended or terminated early (Sec. 1).

• Requires a Congress member to submit a signed letter specifying by name the member who is designated as their proxy voter (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that if during a covered period a member who has designated another member as a proxy casts their own vote or records their presence, the member will be considered to have revoked the vote of any proxy (Sec. 2).

• Prohibits a member from being designated as a proxy for more than 10 members at the same time (Sec. 2).

• Requires the clerk to maintain an updated list of the designations, alternation, and revocations and to make it publically available in the electronic form (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that any member whose vote is cast or whose presence is recorded by a designated proxy will be counted for the purpose of establishing a quorum under House rules (Sec. 3).

• Authorizes committees to conduct proceedings remotely and specifies that all records will be considered open to the public (Sec. 4). 

• Authorizes, during a covered period, committee members to cast a vote or record their presence while participating remotely and to hear testimony from witnesses who appear remotely (Sec. 4).

• Requires the chair of the House Administration Committee to study the feasibility of using technology to conduct remote voting and provide certification upon a determination that operable and secure technology exists to conduct remote voting (Sec. 5).

Full Bill Text

Full Bill Text