House Grapples With Remote Voting Options During Virus Crisis
House Grapples With Remote Voting Options During Virus Crisis
(Bloomberg) -- It’s too late for the U.S. House to implement remote voting on the Senate’s $2 trillion coronavirus relief bill, but some members are still pushing for the option even as leaders explore alternative ways to pass legislation without calling members back to Washington.
Leaders of both parties are discussing the best way for the chamber to quickly pass the urgently needed economic stimulus. Republican leader Kevin McCarthy said Wednesday the House should call a voice vote, which would allow members not physically present to submit a statement on where they stand, for or against, without preventing it from passing.
This is different than seeking unanimous consent, which would mean any objection would sink the bill, McCarthy said.
The search for voting options on historic and very expensive legislation shows how difficult it is for rules- and tradition-bound institutions -- both the House and the Senate -- to accommodate the travel restrictions and social distancing necessary to contain the coronavirus, and take advantage of 21st century technology.
In the Senate, No. 2 Democratic Leader Dick Durbin of Illinois has been a leading advocate of changing rules to allow remote voting in national emergencies, but he said earlier Wednesday there wouldn’t be agreement to do so before the Senate leaves for “several weeks.”
House leaders are trying to ensure that constituents are represented in the chamber even after two members tested positive for the virus, others are in self-quarantine and many more from the New York delegation have been advised not to travel.
Regardless of how the vote is carried out, Steny Hoyer, the second-ranking House Democrat, said he would give members 24 hours notice before calling a vote. Since the Senate hadn’t voted by Wednesday evening, a House vote is looking more likely for Friday.
Rules Chairman Jim McGovern, a Massachusetts Democrat has not closed the door on the possibility of members one day being able to vote remotely. But he and Oklahoma Representative Tom Cole, the committee’s ranking Republican, agree that is not happening this week.
A report released by McGovern and his committee on Monday said such a change “cannot be implemented overnight, and likely cannot be accomplished in time to address the current crisis.”
In a separate statement, Cole said “enacting any potential changes to current practice and precedent must not only be carefully considered but completely bipartisan.”
‘A Few Difficult Options’
At least 69 House members signed a letter to McGovern earlier this week asking for a temporary remote voting option. The letter says that national emergencies by nature “threaten the health and safety of the American people and require quick action by Congress.”
“Unfortunately, during such circumstances, requiring members to vote in person may pose public health risks or even be physically impossible for persons under quarantine,” the lawmakers said. “We need to provide a mechanism through which Congress can act during times of crisis without having to assemble in one place.”
McGovern raised the possibility of a voice vote or unanimous consent in a letter to colleagues earlier this week.
“Short of that, there are a few difficult options that we can consider utilizing,” he said.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Tuesday she would like to pass the Senate bill with unanimous consent, but didn’t rule out the possibility of a voice vote.
Michigan Representative Justin Amash, the chamber’s lone independent, criticized the Senate’s bill but said he wouldn’t be the one to block it. He urged Pelosi to hold a vote at some point that would require members to go on the record with where they stand on the legislation.
‘Now Is the Time’
Durbin said legislation he introduced with GOP Senator Rob Portman of Ohio to allow remote voting now has 20 co-sponsors from both parties. Durbin said it clearly won’t move before lawmakers leave town, but he anticipates conversations about the possibility will continue after lawmakers leave.
“Now is the time to do it,” said Durbin. “It is time to bring this great body, the United States Senate, into the 21st Century when it comes to executing our constitutional responsibility without endangers anyone, especially members of the staff and their families.”
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