Lawmakers call for ‘virtual Congress’

Reps. Steve Pearce (R-N.M.) and Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) have introduced a bill urging development of ways for members of Congress to avoid traveling to Washington away from their districts.

The resolution offered by Pearce and Swalwell, who both hail from districts on the opposite side of the country as Washington, envisions a Congress allowing members to vote and participate in committee hearings via the Internet.

{mosads}That way, they argue, lawmakers wouldn’t have to travel all the way to the Capitol to conduct official duties and jet back to their districts every week.

Specifically, their resolution directs the House Administration Committee to identify “best practices” for conducting congressional business virtually.

The bipartisan duo argue that a virtual Congress would prevent members and staff from becoming out of touch with their districts.

“[M]any congressional staffers do not spend time in the district for which  they were hired to work, and are less in touch with the needs of constituents,” the resolution states.

The measure further cites security concerns of having all 535 members of Congress in one place.

It notes “concerns were raised after 9/11 about the possibility of future terrorist attacks on the Nation’s Capitol and the safety of the Members of Congress” as well as “the security challenges of convening government officials in one specific place.”