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US House Panel to Consider Proxy Voting, Remote Meetings

VOA News

   A U.S. House of Representatives committee is meeting Wednesday to
   discuss a resolution proposing lawmakers be allowed to designate
   another member to cast their vote, and to allow committees to meet
   remotely.

   The proposed measure would allow for more flexibility in conducting
   House business in the case of a pandemic like the coronavirus outbreak
   that has brought warnings against meeting in large groups.

   The speaker of the House would first have to declarethata pandemic
   emergency is in effect, and the authorization would last 60 days.

   During that time, a member may submit a letter saying which other
   lawmaker may cast the votefor that memberafter being given exact
   instructions.

   Those designationscouldbe altered or revoked at any time, and a clerk
   would keep a publicly available list.

   For committee meetings, the resolution would allow both House members
   and witnesses to appear remotely, and for lawmakers to cast votes.

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