2021: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Establishing The House Rules For The
117th Congress, Which Authorized Certain Legislation Exemptions From
Budgetary Requirements, Established And Authorized Certain Committees,
Protected The Identities Of Potential Whistleblowers, And Preserved
COVID Protocols. In January 2021, Fitzpatrick voted against the House
rules package which would, according to Congressional Quarterly,
"establish the rules of the House for the 117th Congress. It would
modify rules providing for a motion to recommit a measure to a
committee, removing language that allows such motions to include
instructions to report a measure back with amendments. It would also
make such motions non-debatable. It would authorize the House Budget
Committee chair to exempt legislation addressing the economic or public
health consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and legislation addressing
the consequences of climate change from certain budgetary requirements,
including discretionary spending caps and pay-as-you-go rules. Among
other provisions, it would establish a Select Committee on Economic
Disparity and Fairness in Growth; reauthorize a number of select
committees established in the 116th Congress, including the Select
Committee on the Climate Crisis; and codify the Office of Diversity and
Inclusion established in the 116th Congress. It would prohibit any House
member, officer, or employee from 'knowingly and willfully' disclosing a
whistleblower's identity in most circumstances. It would require the
House Ethics Commission to report to the House by the end of 2021 any
recommended amendments to the House code of conduct related to
discipline for knowingly disseminating distorted or manipulated media
with the intent to mislead the public. It would bar former members from
the House floor if they have been convicted of a crime related to their
election to or service in the House. It would also extend procedures
authorizing remote voting by proxy for House members and remote
committee proceedings during the COVID-19 public health emergency, and
it would require the House Administration Committee to identify
'operable and secure' technology that could be used to conduct remote
voting." The vote was on passage. The House passed the resolution by a
vote of 217-206. [House Vote 8,
1/4/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 1/4/21; Congressional
Actions, H. Res.
8]
2021: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted For An Amendment That Would Assert
That States Have Authority To Conduct Their Own Elections And Congress'
Role Is To Provide Support To Ensure Fair And Safe Elections. In
January 2021, according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted
against tabling, and thus killing, the "motion to refer the resolution
to a select committee composed of the majority and minority leaders with
instructions to report it back to the House with an amendment that would
require the House Administration Committee to report to the House no
later than Jan. 31, 2021, a bill related to federal election
administration. It would require the bill to state that states have
'primary authority' to conduct elections and that Congress' 'proper
role' is to provide support to states and 'ensure fair administration of
and voter confidence in' the administration of federal elections. It
would also require the bill to include provisions that would extend
federal baseline standards for ballot signature verification, 'promote
certainty' in election results and provide for oversight of the use of
federal funds to administer federal elections." The vote was on a motion
to table. The House agreed to the motion, thus killing the motion to
refer the resolution, by a vote of 214-196. [House Vote 5,
1/4/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 1/4/21; Congressional
Actions, H. Res.
8]
2021: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted To Allow Vaccinated Individuals To
Not Wear A Mask Inside The Chamber And Committee Meetings. In May
2021, Fitzpatrick voted against tabling, and thus killing, a resolution
which would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "direct the attending
physician to take 'timely action' to provide updated guidance on mask
wearing in the chamber and committee meeting spaces of the House of
Representatives for members and staff who are vaccinated against
COVID-19, consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
public guidance released on May 13, 2021." The vote was on a motion to
table. The House adopted the motion by a vote of 218-210. [House Vote
153, 5/19/21;
Congressional Quarterly,
5/19/21; Congressional
Actions, H.Res.
414]
2021: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted For An Amendment That Would Remove
Authorization For The Exemption Of Legislation Regarding Climate Change
Consequences From Certain Budgetary Requirements. In January 2021,
according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the "motion
to recommit the rules package for the 117th Congress to a select
committee composed of the majority and minority leaders with
instructions to report it back immediately with an amendment that would
strike from the resolution a provision that would authorize the House
Budget Committee chair to exempt legislation addressing the economic,
environmental or public health consequences of climate change from
certain budgetary requirements, including discretionary spending caps
and pay-as-you-go rules." The vote was on a motion to recommit. The
House rejected the motion by a vote of 203-217. [House Vote 7,
1/4/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 1/4/21; Congressional
Actions, H. Res.
8]