As employers around the country order staff to work from home, two members of Congress are hoping to pass legislation allowing them the same option.
Rep. Eric Swalwell, a California Democrat, and Rick Crawford, an Arkansas Republican, on Monday reintroduced legislation that would allow lawmakers to cast votes outside of their chambers. The bill, which was first introduced in 2013, would allow members to attend hearings and cast votes online via teleconference rather than mandating that they attend in person.
The Members Operating to Be Innovative and Link Everyone, or MOBILE, resolution would only allow remote votes for suspension bills, which require two-thirds approval and are typically not controversial. If it passed, members would not immediately be able to work remotely as the legislation also requires the creation of the secure software that would be used for the mobile votes.
“Modern technology belongs in Congress, and my resolution would allow members to not only spend more time with their constituents and their families but would prove useful for a number of situations, including the public health crisis in which we currently find ourselves,” Swalwell told Axios.
Crawford agreed, adding, “The ability for members of Congress to vote remotely if need be has been technologically feasible for decades. The ongoing coronavirus outbreak underscores the need for Congress to embrace what the 21st century has to offer.” He added via tweet that “the ability to vote remotely if needed is long overdue. It’s time for Congress to join the modern century.”
Work-from-home policies have been implemented by several major businesses, including Amazon’s corporate offices. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio also urged the entire city to try to work from home if possible, and several newspapers told staff who went to the Conservative Political Action Conference, which an infected person attended, to work remotely.
More than 600 Americans have been infected with coronavirus since the outbreak began. Several prominent Republicans have self-quarantined after coming in contact with the infected person who attended CPAC in February.
The MOBILE resolution has been reintroduced by Swalwell to every congressional class since 2013 but has failed to gain traction.
