Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-04) made the following statement today following her opposition to H. Res 95, Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s legislation which would allow members of Congress to vote from home via proxy:
“Congress needs to set an example, be present, and do the work of the American people. If the government is mandating hardworking Americans to work, then we as representatives of the people should work in our nation’s capital. Small business owners, farmers and ranchers, truckdrivers, and nurses don’t have the luxury of working by proxy. We shouldn’t either.
“Over the past month, the House has demonstrated the ability to keep all members and staff safe during the COVID-19 pandemic when returning to Washington to vote on key legislative initiatives that have helped our nation deal with this challenge. The Senate has gone one step further by remaining in session for several weeks, voting on bills, moving on judicial appointments and holding committee hearings – all in a safe and effective manner.
“The House and Senate have demonstrated our ability to safely meet in Washington and address the needs of the country. Speaker Pelosi’s proxy voting legislation would not only unwind 200 years of congressional precedent, but it also introduces constitutional concerns that could lead to institutional repercussions for years to come. It also allows only 22 Members of Congress to constitute a quorum and pass legislation. This is lunacy; people at home voted for me to cast their vote, not a proxy.
It’s past time for Congress to do its job. This means doing our work in Washington safely and effectively and not operating in the shadows and voting by proxy. Our brave frontline and essential workers are doing their job by keeping our communities well fed, stocked, and taken care of. The least we can do is be in Washington and do ours,” Hartzler said.
For further information, contact Danny Jativa in the Washington, D.C. office at 202-225-2876 or at danny.jativa@mail.house.gov.
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