WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) today released the following statement after Speaker Pelosi announced she would extend proxy voting through December 30, 2021.
“Christmas just came early for members of Congress who don’t want to do their jobs. As Congress prepares for a grueling sprint to the end of the year, Speaker Pelosi has extended the unconstitutional practice of proxy voting to ensure no member has to skip a fundraiser or a holiday party to do the job they were elected to do. This is crazy.
“Over the next six weeks, the House will vote on some of the most consequential legislation this Congress. If members do not want to be here to vote on these bills, they should not be in Congress.”
Last Friday, more than 80 members of Congress proxy voted on legislation that paved the way for trillions of dollars in spending. As Rep. Gallagher pointed out, this was not because COVID-19 suddenly became a threat, but because many members wanted to leave Washington early.
Rep. Gallagher has consistently called proxy voting unconstitutional, arguing that it makes Congress non-essential and is being exploited by members of Congress. He introduced a resolution earlier this year that would end proxy voting.
