House Democrats rejected Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy’s proposal to reopen the House on Tuesday, teeing up a partisan split on the use of technology to work remotely.
Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer of Maryland, Rules Chairman Jim McGovern of Massachusetts, and Administration Chairwoman Zoe Lofgren of California said the Republicans’ proposals focus too much on committees and puts members and Capitol staff at risk.
The proposal “falls woefully short of reopening the House for legislative business,” they wrote in a joint statement.
“While our work is essential, getting our work done during this pandemic in the 21st century should not endanger the health of hundreds of members and potentially thousands of people convening in the Capitol, especially as COVID-19 cases in the national capital region continue to rise.”
While Democrats are concerned about using technology for votes — having shifted toward proxy voting as a solution — they do see it as a viable option for committees to get back to business, given that lawmakers are already holding dozens of conference calls and video chats.
“We are hopeful that the House in the near future will be able to go back to its traditional meeting practices. But, until that time, it will be our objective to use the technologies now available to us to do the people’s work,” they wrote.
While the Senate has reconvened, the House reversed its decision to return this week after the Capitol physician warned lawmakers were putting themselves at increased risk.
Republicans, however, argued that Congress should be taking the same risk as essential workers who are keeping the country running.
The plan that Mr. McCarthy, California Republican, Rules Committee ranking member Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma and Administration Committee ranking member Rodney Davis of Illinois released Monday would put lawmakers back on Capitol Hill with social distancing at the root of the new policies.
They proposed creating a rotating schedule of committees — with an emphasis on those that would work on the National Defense Authorization bill, spending bill and COVID-19 issues — in larger rooms. This, they argued, would allow for a full debate on key issues while giving lawmakers space to spread out.
“This restores regular order, so it’s just not leadership or the speaker deciding what’s being worked on and what to focus on the pressing needs by these bills coming up through committee, they should be more bipartisan,” Mr. McCarthy said Tuesday.
The hearings could be “hybrid” — with a quorum requirement but allowing a virtual option for at-risk members.
In a conference call with reporters Tuesday, Mr. McCarthy cautioned against transitioning entirely toward virtual hearings.
“Technology is just not there to move dynamically in this nature. I don’t believe we should ever do by technology markups or votes. You need to be able to have people in person,” he said. “I do not believe the Intel committee or Ethics should ever use that technology, because I don’t think those items should be getting out over the phone.”
Republicans also suggested implementing screening options at high trafficked areas of the Capitol or installing plexiglass to keep security officials safe.
Under the proposal, lawmakers would vote in person, as they’ve done with the past two votes — stretching out the process by limiting how many can be on the chamber’s floor at once.
Last week, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi suggested that Democrats would be willing to move forward with their resolution on proxy voting whether or not the Republicans were onboard. They’re aiming to have a vote on their CARES 2 package next week.
Mr. McCarthy vowed that Republicans would not support that.
“If they want to jam something through that is partisan, we will vote against,” he said.
• Gabriella Muñoz can be reached at gmunoz@washingtontimes.com.
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