WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) and 37 of his House Republican colleagues delivered a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi calling on her to immediately terminate all proxy voting measures, end virtual committee hearings, and return pre-pandemic operations to the U.S. House of Representatives.
“On February 27, 2022, the Office of the Attending Physician announced updated health guidance for the U.S. Capitol complex, which included making mask wear optional. Pulling floor requirements for masks and social distancing also eliminates any established reason for proxy voting,” wrote the lawmakers. “These measures were intended to be temporary. However, nearly two years later, they remain in effect for the U.S. House of Representatives.”
“The Founders clearly intended for members of Congress to meet, debate, and vote in person. Over 231 years, through significant historical challenges, the House of Representatives never once permitted a member to vote by proxy. In May 2020, Democrats defied this precedent despite Republican opposition. Many of us strongly opposed proxy voting, including through litigation,” the letter reads. “These measures are detrimental to our work as a Congress. Remote procedures have been injurious to our efforts to build relationships across the aisle and engage in rigorous debate with our colleagues.”
“Working Americans in every part of the country are expected to show up to their job in person. Members of Congress should be held to the same standard. We urge you to end proxy voting and virtual committee attendance immediately,” the lawmakers concluded.
Read the full letter here.
The letter was signed by Reps. Chip Roy (R-TX), Bob Good (R-VA), Randy Weber (R-TX), Dan Bishop (R-NC), Yvette Herrell (R-NM), Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Jody Hice (R-GA), Mary Miller (R-IL), Warren Davidson (R-OH), Michael Cloud (R-TX), Andrew Clyde (R-GA), Ben Cline (R-VA), Matt Rosendale (R-MT), Bill Huizenga (R-MI), Tim Burchett (R-TN), Jeff Duncan (R-SC), Tom McClintock (R-CA), Ken Buck (R-CO), Ralph Norman (R-SC), Steven Palazzo (R-MS), Nancy Mace (R-SC), John Rose (R-TN), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), Greg Murphy (R-NC), Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), Scott Perry (R-PA), Andy Harris (R-MD), Barry Loudermilk (R-GA), Greg Pence (R-IN), Tim Walberg (R-MI), Austin Scott (R-GA), Rick Allen (R-GA), Michael Burgess (R-TX), Tracey Mann (R-KS), Mike Garcia (R-CA), Buddy Carter (R-GA), and Jake Ellzey (R-TX).
