 |
| Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call - Getty Images
Speaker of The House Nancy Pelosi allowed a provision that will let House members vote remotely for the first time in history in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The vote passed last week to let the lawmakers proxy vote for 45 days if nonpartisan public health officials declare a public-health emergency. Under the resolution, absent voters may cast their vote through another colleagues to serve as a proxy on their behalf. The period starts Wednesday and will last into early July. However, the declaration may be extended on a 45-day basis if there is still a declared public health emergency. In a letter to all members of the House, Pelosi said she is "designating a 'covered period' in accordance with section 1(a) of House Resolution 965," following a letter from the sergeant-at-arms, in consultation with the Office of Attending Physician, stating that a public health emergency is in effect. |
