OPINION:
In “Congress’ proxy voting should be abolished” (Web, Aug. 16) Thomas J. Pyle writes that “158 members of the House of Representatives” voted by proxy on the recently passed-and-signed-into-law Inflation Reduction Act. That is roughly 35% of the 435 members of the House. So only roughly 65% were present to vote. When I went to school, that was a failing grade!
One of the many “first things” the new Congress needs to do in January is initiate rules to create an amendment to the Constitution or whatever is needed to require members of the House and Senate to be present to vote on pending legislation. This is part of their obligation to the voters who elected them.
The U.S. government is not a virtual, social-media construct that can be accomplished over the internet. If it were to get to that, there would be no need at all for the middleman: Congress.
JAMES KOUT
Bowie, Maryland
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