Press Releases

Washington, DC—May 15, 2020....Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) today spoke on the House floor against H. Res. 965, a partisan rule change that would allow for proxy voting. The resolution would upend 200 years of precedent and fails to establish a safe and effective plan to bring House members back to work in Washington.

Watch Congressman Womack’s floor speech here.

Transcript of remarks:

“Born from the people, the work of Congress is an integral part of our nation.

“Or is it? Judging from the legislation that is before us right now, I am not so sure.

“But tracing back to the Civil War, Great Depression, World War II, 9/11, and many other events – the House’s business has never ceased, even in the toughest times in our country.

“And it should not cease today. 

“Now, instead of working to safely bring back members to the House, Speaker Pelosi has decided to pursue proxy voting.

“Senators are back at work.

“Our military is on point right now defending our country in all corners of the world.

“Doctors, nurses, grocery workers, truck drivers, and delivery personnel are showing up each day.

“They are not shirking from their duties.

“Shouldn’t the House lead by example?

“New House procedures might very well be necessary, but any change to the centuries-old rules that could fundamentally alter this institution should never be done without bipartisan support.

“And we are not seeing that.

“This proposal runs counter to the Constitution, and it marginalizes, in my strong opinion, the lawmaking process.

“We need transparency and accountability, not procedures that further centralize the decision-making of our country into the hands of a select few.

“We must get back to regular order.

“This is not the path back to regular order.”

###