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LaMalfa Rejects House Rule Changes to Allow Voting by Proxy

May 15, 2020

(Washington, DC) – Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) issued the following statement after voting against H.Res. 965, a measure that would allow members of the U.S. House of Representatives to vote by proxy in regular session and work remotely in committee proceedings.

LaMalfa said: : "Since 1789, the U.S. House of Representatives has never backed down from showing up to vote. In harder times than even this, throughout the Civil War, the 1918 influenza outbreak, and right after 9/11, Members of Congress have gathered to do what they were elected to do. Yet, during this pandemic, the Democrat leadership of this body is willing to sacrifice our duty and practice, even when those before us have come to the Floor during extraordinary circumstances. Changes like this of centuries-old rules of the House should gain bipartisan support, but there is none of that here.

Voting by proxy will undermine the voting power of individual House members. Our constituents choose their Representative to be their voice, and I refuse to be muted on their behalf. Just as ballot harvesting in California has led to shady and potentially fraudulent outcomes, Members of Congress should not be possibly coerced by other Members to not vote their conscience. We have a higher calling to come to DC and do our jobs."

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