House Republicans urge Pelosi to end proxy voting

House Republicans are urging Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to end proxy voting after she announced a 45-day extension as Congress works to fully restart normal operations. 

“It is time we follow the science, lead by example, and fully return to work to serve the American people,” the lawmakers wrote in the letter sent Tuesday and obtained by multiple news outlets. “Ineffective remote procedures have hindered Congressional operations for too long and should not continue for the duration of the 117th Congress.” 

House Republicans called the system “flawed.” 

“While we appreciate that the COVID-19 crisis yielded unprecedented circumstances, there is simply no scientific or public health need to continue entertaining these restrictive practices,” they wrote. “We have accomplished an incredible milestone in defeating the virus, now we must serve as a model for our nation to restore, rebuild, renew, and resume America.” 

The GOP lawmakers cited guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued last week stating that all fully vaccinated Americans no longer need to wear a mask while both outdoors and indoors. Americans who are not fully vaccinated, meaning people who are not two weeks past the date of their second shot, should continue to wear a face covering until they are fully vaccinated. 

Pelosi on Monday said she would allow all House members to continue to vote by proxy through July 3, citing ongoing health concerns stemming from the pandemic. 

Also on Monday, Brian Monahan, the Capitol’s attending physician, said “additional medical safeguards are required to reduce the risk of coronavirus outbreak,” adding that keeping health and safety measures in place is necessary because the House floor is “the only location where the entire Membership gathers periodically throughout the day in an interior space.”

Senators at the same time largely shed their masks as they returned to work in the upper chamber following the new CDC guidance.