Dozens of House lawmakers Monday urged leaders to change the rules to allow remote voting to escape the threat of spreading the coronavirus.
Five senators and dozens of House lawmakers are currently unable to vote because they have quarantined themselves because they have either contracted the coronavirus or were exposed to it.
While Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell hasn’t shown any interest so far in altering the longstanding rule that senators vote in person, House leaders are examining remote voting, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, said last week.
Two House lawmakers wrote Monday to House Rules Committee Chairman Jim McGovern, a Massachusetts Democrat who is examining the issue, to request a temporary change to allow remote voting.
“The science is clear: There are major risks associated with Members trekking from every corner of this country to meet together in defiance of CDC guidance and state orders to shelter in place,” Rep. Katie Porter, a California Democrat, said. “We’re asking businesses, schools, and local governments to practice social distancing to keep Americans safe — Congress should be no different. I’m gratified to see bicameral, bipartisan support growing for remote voting during this emergency, and I’ll keep pushing to get this done.”
Porter sent the letter with Rep. Eric Swalwell, another California Democrat. It was signed by 65 House Democrats.
Swalwell introduced a resolution on March 9 that would “strengthen the ability of Members to virtually participate in committee hearings and allow them to vote remotely” on certain, but not all, legislation.
Senators are now backing a rules change that would allow them to vote remotely after Sen. Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican, announced he was infected with the coronavirus. Paul found out about his diagnosis after attending group meetings with fellow Republicans.
Sens. Mitt Romney and Mike Lee, both Utah Republicans, quarantined themselves because they were in contact with Paul. Sen. Cory Gardner, a Colorado Republican, has also quarantined himself after coming in contact with an infected person.
