Chairman McGovern Releases Statement on Bipartisan Task Force

Announces Rules Committee meeting tonight on measure standing up the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis

WASHINGTON, DC — Rules Committee Chairman James P. McGovern (D-MA) today released the following statement on the formation of a bipartisan effort examining ways Congress could better adapt to emergencies like the coronavirus pandemic. The task force includes Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), Chairman McGovern, Ranking Member Tom Cole (R-OK), Committee on House Administration Chairperson Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), and Ranking Member Rodney Davis (R-IL). As a result of this collaborative effort, the Rules Committee will no longer consider a resolution on remote voting by proxy during tonight’s meeting. Instead, the Rules Committee will now meet today at 5:30 PM ET in 1100 Longworth House Office Building on a separate measure standing up the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis.

“I have always said that I prefer changes to House procedure to be done in a bipartisan and collaborative way. I’m grateful that the discussions that have taken place over the past few weeks have now led to this bipartisan effort. I’m hopeful that this formal working group can come to an agreement on changes that both Democrats and Republicans can agree on. Ranking Member Cole is a great partner who cares deeply about this institution and I look forward to working with him to figure out solutions to some of these challenges. This pandemic has devastated communities across the country and exposed the urgent need for Congress to be better prepared for whatever emergencies the future may bring. This is an extraordinary time and it requires a greater sense of urgency by all members to figure out how we operate during times of crisis. We are hearing from experts that things could be worse in the fall. I hope they’re wrong, but we must be prepared. The status quo doesn’t cut it. I hope we can make these difficult decisions together, and I remain optimistic we can get there. Inaction is not an option.”

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Created:
Apr 22, 2020