To mark Wednesday’s history-making moment, House Republicans sued to stop the Democratic majority’s new system, in which absent lawmakers can instruct those present to vote on their behalf. More than 70 Democrats cast their vote by proxy. Not even during the Civil War, the Spanish Flu or any other emergency has the House allowed proxy floor votes. Under the new rules, proxy voting is allowed only under emergency conditions, for 45 days at a time. Even as they hit “pause” on a larger bill, Republicans are enthusiastic about improving the Paycheck Protection Program, which was established in March under the US$2 trillion coronavirus relief bill and was replenished last month.

Source: The Standard May 28, 2020 02:48 UTC