On Eve Of Historic Remote Votes In The House, Republicans Sue To Block The Move

[Judi Lynn]

Source: PBS

By CLAUDIA GRISALES • 3 HOURS AGO



Rep. Tony Cardenas, D-Calif., cleans his desk during a House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health hearing earlier this month.
GREG NASH / AP
Originally published on May 26, 2020 8:56 pm

Updated at 8:45 p.m. ET

More than 20 Republican members of Congress and constituents are suing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other officials in federal court to block proxy voting, arguing the practice is unconstitutional, according to House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy.

Earlier this month the House approved new rules that allowed remote voting and hearings for the first time in the chamber's history. Under the changes a member can vote on behalf of up to 10 colleagues who are unable to travel to the Capitol during the coronavirus pandemic.

In the lawsuit filed Tuesday, the House members argue that the change sets a dangerous precedent and dilutes lawmakers' votes.

The chamber is scheduled to vote by proxy Wednesday for the first time since the rules went into effect. As of late Tuesday, more than 55 members filed notification letters with the House Clerk of their plan to vote by proxy.

Read more: https://www.nepr.net/post/eve-historic-remote-votes-house-republicans-sue-block-move#stream/0

[Thekaspervote]

1. More gop BS!! If they were in the majority you can be sure they would be for it!

[PSPS]

2. More GOP obstruction to maintain their minority rule

[cstanleytech]

3. Voting remotely does not violate the US Constitution.

Trying to prevent voting which is what McCarthy is trying though does.

[pecosbob]

4. The constitution expressly instructs the House and Senate to establish their own rules

Section 4, Clause 2: Rules

Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behavior, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a member.

Each House can determine its own Rules (assuming a quorum is present), and may punish any of its members. A two-thirds vote is necessary to expel a member. Section 5, Clause 2 does not provide specific guidance to each House regarding when and how each House may change its rules, leaving details to the respective chambers.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Article_One_of_the_United_States_Constitution

[slumcamper]

5. THIS is exactly right.

Rabid Republicans are determined to "break" government. Rendering it inept and ineffective is a key strategy of the Bannon programme.

Beyond that, this failure to adapt and evolve is straight-out knuckle dragging.

[Evolve Dammit]

6. Break it by making sure it doesn't work, complain it doesn't work and blame the Dems.

[GB_RN]

8. Newt Gingrich's Plan

This was what Newt Gingrich planned, decades ago. His dream has been fulfilled.

[Evolve Dammit]

10. Yeah. Thought he was on Drumpf's VP shortlist. Newt, who served his wife divorce papers on her

hospital bed during her cancer. Charming fellow (except for the vileness).

[GB_RN]

12. Charming Fellow

...(except for the vileness)". lol! Indeed.

There's a reason why Garry Trudeau used to draw him as a bomb with a lit fuse in "Doonesbury".

[machoneman]

7. Methinks this was solely done to please Trumpy and the RNC.

This will eventually get thrown out. Further, if they are serious, all 20 republiscum members will refuse to vote at all. Let's see if they do so.

[brooklynite]

9. Yawn...

The Judiciary won't second-guess internal policies of the legislature.

[LanternWaste]

13. "Lighten up..." amigo.

[sakabatou]

11. They're doing this just to screw with Democrats