by jpitney | Mar 28, 2020 | Congress, Coronavirus
At Legbranch.org, Timothy LaPira and James Wallner note obstacles to a virtual Congress in the current House and Senate rules and the Constitution: The House and Senate rules require members to assemble in person to vote. Senate Rule XXVI, stipulates that senators...
by jpitney | Mar 24, 2020 | Congress, Coronavirus, House of Representatives
The House Rules Committee has a new staff report on voting options: Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Rules Committee has heard from Members who want to come back to Washington and vote on critical legislation, and Members who want to implement remote...
by jpitney | Mar 20, 2020 | Congress, Coronavirus, Senate, Technology
A March 19 news release from Senator Rob Portman: Today, U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced a bipartisan resolution to amend the Standing Rules of the Senate to allow senators to vote remotely during a national crisis. During certain...
by jpitney | Mar 16, 2020 | Congress, House of Representatives, Technology
At LegBranch.org, Joshua Huder acknowledges that the House might have to use remote voting in emergencies, but argues that it should not become routine. Most proposals would limit remote voting to “noncontroversial” measures–basically, bills considered under...
