Pelosi calls off action on House proxy voting as GOP objects

WASHINGTON — Speaker Nancy Pelosi has called off a Thursday vote on whether to allow House members to cast votes by proxy and is instead forming a bipartisan group to review options for reopening the House during the coronavirus pandemic.

Pelosi announced the delay on a private call with Democratic House members, according to a Democratic leadership aide who was granted anonymity to discuss it.

The move came after some Republicans had strenuously objected to the change, saying Congress should be in Washington and voting in person despite the virus. House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy had asked Pelosi to work with Republicans on any changes to the rules.

The Democratic plan would allow proxy voting on future business during the pandemic, a first for Congress, which has required in-person business essentially since its founding. It would require House members to notify the House clerk of their intent to submit specific instructions to a specific lawmaker to cast the vote on their behalf.

The proxy plan had been considered as an alternative to remote voting, with no lawmakers present. A report by House Rules Committee Chairman James McGovern, who was tasked with studying the options, said remote voting poses too many logistical and security issues to be implemented.

Pelosi announced that the members of the bipartisan committee will include Pelosi, McCarthy, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and the top Democrats and Republicans on the House Rules and Administration committees.