McCarthy Puts The Kibosh On Proxy Voting: No More!

Kevin McCarthy (R. CA), the House Speaker, has been elected. proxy voting in the House of Representatives — a measure that was initially put in place over concerns about the continued spread of the COVID pandemic.

“No more proxy voting. Effective immediately, Members of Congress have to show up to work if they want their vote to count,” McCarthy tweeted Thursday morning.

Proxy voting is no longer allowed. If they want their vote count, members of Congress must report to work immediately.

— Kevin McCarthy (@SpeakerMcCarthy) January 19, 2023

McCarthy’s declaration is the fulfillment of his promise to end the practice — which was instituted by his predecessor, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) — but as several outlets have noted, ending proxy voting with such a slim majority could be a risky endeavor. If a few Republicans are unable or unable to vote, a party-line vote could be broken for the Democrats.

Despite any concerns over the slim nature of the Republican majority — especially with Congressman Greg Steube (R-FL) in the hospital recovering from a fall — most Republicans appear to be glad to see the practice end.

“Proxy voting in the House is now dead. Your reps need to show up and do their job now, just like you,” Rep. Scott Perry (R.PA) stated.

Proxy voting in Congress is dead. Your reps must now show up and perform their duties, just like you.

— RepScottPerry (@RepScottPerry) January 10, 2023

“Today, House Republicans will vote to END proxy voting once and for all,” Rep. Byron Donalds (R,FL) was also added. “The House of Representatives isn’t a tech company. Its members should work IN PERSON in the People’s House!”

Today, the House Republicans will vote to END proxy votes once and for all.

The House of Representatives doesn’t have a tech company.

Its members should work IN PERSON at the People’s House!

— Congressman Byron Donalds (@RepDonaldsPress) January 9, 2023

“Proxy voting has ended in the House! It was rarely used for its stated purpose of dealing with COVID,” Rep. Thomas Massie, R-KY), commented. “But it was frequently abused by members to attend fund raisers, campaign, go on vacation, and avoid traveling for work. I’m one of a small minority who never voted by proxy.”

Proxy voting is over in the House

It was rarely used for the stated purpose of COVID treatment.

It was often used by members to travel for work, attend fund raising events, campaign and go on vacation.

I’m one of a small minority who never voted by proxy.

— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) January 10, 2023

“House Republicans voted to END proxy voting in Congress. I never voted by proxy, and I proudly voted to put it to an end!” Rep. David Rouzer (R-NC) said. “If Americans have to show up at work every day – Members of Congress should do the same.”

House Republicans voted against proxy voting in Congress.

I didn’t vote by proxy, but I proudly voted for it to stop!

If Americans have to show up at work every day – Members of Congress should do the same.

— David Rouzer (@RepDavidRouzer) January 11, 2023

Proxy voting was used occasionally by some Republicans, but it was mostly used by Democrats, according to a May 2022 report. report Cronkite News is an Arizona PBS affiliate.

According to the report, over 150 Republicans had used proxy voting at some point in their lives, while more than 240 Democrats did so. The top ten proxy voters, however, were all Democrats — with Florida Rep. Al Lawson at the top of the list with 717 proxy votes at the time the report was published. Proxy votes were responsible for 10% of all votes, from the moment the practice was started to the point that it was finally published.