Should Members of Congress be allowed to use video conferencing and to establish a remote voting system to pass legislation?

Awaiting Vote
Bill Summary

This bill would allow members of the House of Representatives both to participate in committee hearings with secure video conferencing and other online tools and to establish a voting system in which members can cast votes remotely. Sponsor: Rep. Eric Swalwell (Democrat, California, District 15)
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Opponents say

• “There is a constitutional requirement that we vote in person… We just have to figure out how we can continue the operation of government without undermining the integrity of it, the legitimacy of it, and that we do not pass legislation that ends up in the courts.” Source: Nancy Pelosi (Speaker of the House, Democrat, California, District 12)
• “[Remote voting] diminishes the power of the institution… We could be up and operating within normal parameters… Instead, we're dreaming up ways to keep us out of Washington longer.” Source: Rep. Tom Cole (Republican, Oklahoma, District 4)

Proponents say

• “Modern technology belongs in Congress and my resolution would allow Members to not only spend more time with their constituents and their families, but would prove useful for a number of situations, including the public health crisis in which we currently find ourselves.” Source: Rep. Eric Swalwell (Democrat, California, District 15)
• “The ongoing coronavirus outbreak underscores the need for Congress to embrace what the 21st Century has to offer.” Source: Rep. Rick Crawford (Republican, Arkansas, District 1)
• “The choice is remote Congress or no Congress… and if you have no Congress, you have what our founders feared most, which is an executive branch with no legislative check.” Source: Daniel Schuman (Policy Director of Demand Progress)
• “[Proxy voting] would enable members to vote remotely in a secure way, without using the kind of technology that is susceptible to hacking or interference by foreign bad actors. And because it doesn’t rely on some new technology being stood up and vigorously tested, it could give members a say on important legislation.” Source: Jim McGovern (Democrat, Massachusetts, District 3)