WASHINGTON - Committee on House Administration top Republican Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) issued the following statement after House Democrats unveiled their vote by proxy and remote proceedings proposal for Members of Congress. The rule change, which was first shared with Republicans today to be debated in Rules Committee this afternoon, would authorize remote voting by proxy in the House of Representatives and provide for official remote committee proceedings during a designated pandemic emergency.

"Our country is in the midst of an unprecedented national emergency - dramatically, impacting the lives of Americans. As hospitals, schools, non-profits, businesses, and government agencies adapt their operations during these uncharted times, I believe Congress has a responsibility to do the same," said Ranking Member Davis. "However, this proposal, drafted in secret by House Democrats that we are expected to vote on tomorrow, will throw out over 200 years of precedent without so much as a discussion with Republicans."

"There are other measures already in place to ensure Congress can carry on without enabling Members of Congress to email-away their right to vote. Following the terrible events of September 11th, there was an exhaustive effort to ensure House Rules would allow the House to continue to function during catastrophic times, an effort that took three years to achieve. Many options were considered, including proxy and remote voting, but the option that was determined best for the institution is to reduce the number of in-person Members required to satisfy a quorum - something we could be using now. This proposal that we received today is not a serious bipartisan effort to keep Members of Congress safe during this pandemic, but instead an attempt to take advantage of the House when it is vulnerable."

Read the full text of the proposal from Democrats here.

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