Chairman McGovern Releases Resolution to Ensure Congress Can Continue its Work During the Coronavirus Pandemic

 **View the resolution here**

**View more information here**

WASHINGTON, DC — Rules Committee Chairman James P. McGovern (D-MA) today released the text of a resolution to ensure Congress can continue its work during the coronavirus pandemic. The resolution implements remote voting by proxy for measures responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, enables virtual committee proceedings, and tasks the Committee on House Administration with leading a study examining the feasibility of remote participation on the House Floor. You can view the resolution here and find more information here. The Rules Committee will consider this resolution today at 5:00 PM ET in 1100 Longworth House Office Building. Chairman McGovern released the following statement:

“The head of the World Health Organization said this week that the worst impacts of coronavirus are yet to come. This pandemic is already the biggest public health and economic emergency our country has faced in a century. No community has been spared. As conversations continued about possible rule changes to ensure the House continues its business during this pandemic, it became clear that we need to take a more comprehensive approach. Some of the hardest-hit communities are seeing signs of progress, and I hope that continues. As we hope for the best, however, we must prepare for the worst. Experts are warning that we could see a second surge of coronavirus cases in the coming months. Should more lockdowns come quickly, I don’t want us to look back then and wish we made changes now. We cannot risk Congress grinding to a halt because of this virus. We need to act. That’s why this resolution implements not only remote voting by proxy for measures responding to the pandemic, but also enables virtual committee proceedings, and tasks the Committee on House Administration with leading a study examining the feasibility of remote participation on the House Floor. I don’t suggest these changes lightly, but this is an extraordinary time. We need to ensure we can get our work done on behalf of the American people.”

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Created:
Apr 22, 2020