Authorizing Remote Voting By Proxy and Providing for Official Remote Committee Proceedings During A Public Health Emergency Due to A Novel Coronavirus

Floor Speech

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Mr. RESCHENTHALER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H. Res. 965, which is nothing more than a power grab by my Democrat colleagues that would upend over 200 years of precedent and have serious constitutional and institutional repercussions.

Across our nation, millions of Americans go to work every day to help their communities and defeat the COVID-19 outbreak. They expect their elected officials to do the same. But under the proposal put forth by House Democrats, 20 members would control Congress, while the rest stay home and cede their votes.

Article 1, Section 5 of the U.S. Constitution states, ``a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller Number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Members.'' At a time when traveling took days to weeks, rather than mere hours, our Founding Fathers recognized that while inconvenient, being physically present was necessary for good governance. And despite recent legislative sessions, which prove Members of Congress can conduct regular business in a safe manner, Democrats want to recklessly alter the U.S. House of Representatives as our founders designed it.

In addition to throwing out 230 years of tradition, H. Res. 965 stifles the voices of tens of millions of Americans. As long as these rules are in place, House leadership will control every step of the legislative process. Rank and file members will be cut out of lawmaking completely, in turn denying the people they represent a seat at the table.

Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy, Rules Committee Ranking Member Tom Cole, and Administration Committee Ranking Member Rodney Davis put forward a detailed plan for how the House can continue operations during this crisis. House Republicans stand ready to find bipartisan solutions that ensure members can fulfill their constitutional duties.

But the resolution proposed by House Democrats is not the answer.

Mr. Speaker, our country has faced serious challenges since its founding, including the Spanish influenza. For the first time in our history, a single party is taking advantage of a crisis to jam through unprecedented and unconstitutional changes that will forever alter this institution. I strongly oppose H. Res. 965, which will devastate our democracy and silence the People's voice.

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