GOP objection to COVID remote voting in Congress rejected by Supreme Court

The Supreme Court upheld Congressional remote voting rules on Monday, rejecting a Republican suit against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for implementing the pandemic-related proxy voting system.

The top court refused to hear a GOP appeal a lower court’s ruling in favor of the rules, which allow lawmakers to cast votes without physically being in the chamber.

Republicans claimed that the measure violated the constitutional requirement that members be present to cast a vote. They portrayed it as a way for Democrats to improperly maintain their slim majority in the House.

But Democrats portray it as a common-sense response to the pandemic, which has transformed American life in many ways.

Lower courts effectively agreed that Pelosi has the power to allow remote voting, citing the Constitution’s “speech or debate” clause that protects lawmakers against suits for their actions as legislators.

Even though Republicans sued to block the proxy voting, both parties have taken advantage of it when it suits them.

Several Republicans voted by proxy while accompanying former President Trump on a trip to the southern border with Mexico to spotlight what they say is President Biden’s failure to stem the tide of migrants.

The resolution that allows proxy voting was passed early in the pandemic and was temporary.

But majority Democrats have extended the rule several times. A recent extension will be in effect until Feb. 13.