He noted that the Senate was already using hybrid hearings, pointing to Tuesday’s high-profile appearance of federal health experts all appearing by video. “The Democrats’ proposal calls for the House of Representatives to abandon ship — potentially for the remainder of the session,” McCarthy said. Long-standing rules forbid voting from afar and require that at least some members be on hand for a committee to hold a formal hearing. In the interview, Hoyer said that committees could immediately begin holding hearings and calling administration officials. Hoyer also noted that the resolution directs congressional officials to study technology in a way that might lead to lawmakers voting electronically from afar.

Source: Washington Post May 13, 2020 16:26 UTC