Voice votes, voting by proxy, and voting “present” would be banned under a sweeping call for transparency in House votes pushed by Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.
Greene, who is only allowed to vote on the House floor because Democrats banned her from sitting on committees, today offered legislation aimed at better informing the nation how members vote while also forcing members to take a public position on everything that comes before the chamber.
“They shouldn’t hide. Everything should be transparent,” Greene said.
In an interview, the first-term Republican said she has been dismayed at how often business on the House floor has been approved by voice vote. She has also been surprised by the number of members simply voting “present,” which is a neutral vote, or who have others vote for them, a practice started two years ago when the coronavirus was raging.
The lawmaker said that when Democrats voted her off committees because of some of her controversial positions, it gave her time to study the House floor instead.
And Greene didn’t like how it operated. She has often demanded recorded votes when Democratic leaders hoped instead for quick voice votes. She did that three times on Monday.
She even has a name for the core group of House Democrats and Republicans who control the voting: the “Uniparty.”
Greene said, “For too long, the Uniparty in Congress has escaped accountability for actions that destroy the American way of life by passing legislation in an empty chamber with no members on record.”
She added, “It’s just the same people making the same votes.”
Her legislation, the Congressional Voting Accountability Act, which is likely to be blocked by the Democratic majority, would end voice and proxy voting and require a “yes” or “no.” Voting “present” would no longer be a choice.
It is already co-sponsored by Reps. Bob Good of Virginia, Mary Miller of Illinois, and Andy Biggs of Arizona.
Greene said that she hopes all members return to Washington now that the coronavirus is ending but added that her plan would force them back, especially the handful who have been out of town for nearly the whole crisis.
“I think we all have to show up to work. It’s in our job requirement, showing up for work, showing up to vote on bills, and being on the record for the taxpayers who pay our salaries,” she said.
“It is critical for our country that the people have the right information about the individuals they elect to represent them. It is time that we put people over politicians, and the Congressional Voting Accountability Act helps do just that,” Greene added. “It’s just the right thing to do.”
