2020: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Allowing Members Of Congress To Vote
Remotely During The COVID-19 Pandemic. In May 2020, Fitzpatrick voted
against a remote voting bill that would, according to Congressional
Quarterly, "establish procedures authorizing remote voting by proxy for
House members and remote committee proceedings during the COVID-19
public health emergency. It would allow members of the House to serve as
a proxy for up to ten members for any given vote. It would require
members to designate such proxies through a letter submitted to the
clerk and provide proxies with exact instructions with respect to each
vote. It would require that any member whose vote is cast or whose
presence is recorded by proxy count toward a quorum, and it would
require the clerk to make available a full list of proxy designations
during any vote. It would authorize House committees to conduct
official, public proceedings remotely and authorize committee members to
participate remotely during in-person committee proceedings, including
voting and being counted toward a quorum. It would authorize witnesses
to appear and committees to issue subpoenas for witnesses to appear at
remote hearings and depositions." The vote was on passage. The House
passed the bill by a vote of 217-189. [House Vote 107,
5/15/20; Congressional
Quarterly, 5/15/20;
Congressional Actions,
H.Res.965]
The Bill Allowed House Members To Vote By Proxy For 45 Days And
Hold Remote Committee Meetings. According to Congressional
Quarterly, "The coronavirus pandemic has prompted the House to allow
lawmakers to vote by proxy, without physical presence at the
Capitol. The significant, yet temporary, change to operations was
not enacted during any other national crisis in history. The House
voted 217-189 Friday to approve a package of historic changes to the
chamber rules to allow Congress to continue much of its business
through the pandemic that has made gathering together and travel
threats to public health [...] Under the new rules, lawmakers will
be able to join millions of Americans in working from home if they
are unable to travel to Capitol Hill to participate in House
business [...] Proxy voting and remote committee business would
only be allowed for a 45 day period, but it could be renewed. The
authority to enact a period of proxy voting ends at the close of the
116th Congress." [Congressional Quarterly,
5/15/20]
Congressional Quarterly: Republicans Opposed The Bill, Stating
Concerns That The New Rule Is Unprecedented And Would "Erode The
Institution" Of Congress. According to Congressional Quarterly,
"Debate over the changes has been fiery, as Republicans want to
follow the lead of the president and GOP-led Senate and resume
regular business. Democrats say that short term reliance on
technology will provide a safe way to work as the pandemic drags on.
But Republicans objected to what they called a power grab by the
Democratic majority during the crisis [...] Republicans [are
concerned] that remote governing would set a precedent that they
said would erode the institution" [Congressional Quarterly,
5/15/20]
Other Congressional Scholars Held Concerns That The New
Proceedings Could Change Take Away From The In-Person Deal Making
That Is Central To Congress. According to the New York Times, "But
beyond the partisan considerations, a broad cross-section of
congressional scholars, parliamentary experts and former officials
warn that the decision could have unintended and long-lasting
consequences, altering the course of the body in fundamental ways
that few rules changes in the last two centuries have [...] The
more nagging questions, even to those who support the changes, have
to do with what happens next. What will become of the in-person,
back slapping, ear-whispering, wheeling and dealing that powers the
Congress? [New York Times,
5/15/20]