Republican leaders to sue Nancy Pelosi over House proxy voting system

House Republicans, led by Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, intend to sue Speaker Nancy Pelosi to block the chamber's new proxy voting system.

"It's simple: one representative should equal one vote. We can't let her get away with this," Republican Whip Steve Scalise tweeted, announcing the House GOP's legal plan.

House Democrats passed a voting rules package earlier this month against unanimous GOP opposition that would allow members who are not physically present at the US Capitol to designate another member to vote for them by proxy.

Designated proxy voters can vote for up to 10 members.

Ms Pelosi triggered the proxy voting system last Wednesday over lingering concerns about members travelling long distances between their districts and Washington, DC, during the coronavirus pandemic. Once triggered, the proxy voting system lasts 45 days.

Republicans have argued that proxy voting concentrates power into the hands of leaders of the majority party and is unconstitutional.

The proxy system is a "power grab" that enables Ms Pelosi to "unilaterally pass legislation with just 20 Members present," Mr Scalise tweeted, which is not true.

The speaker cannot unilaterally pass legislation. Any bill or resolution up for a vote on the House floor still must garner a majority, whether members cast their votes via a proxy or in person.

Ms Pelosi dismissed the House GOP's lawsuit as a "sad stund" intended to "delay and obstruct urgently-needed action to meet the needs of American workers and families during the coronavirus crisis."

The Supreme Court has ruled previously that the Constitution allows each chamber of Congress to establish its own procedural rules.

“As our nation approaches the heartbreaking milestone of 100,000 lives lost to COVID-19, House Republicans must stop their dangerous obstruction and join Democrats to save lives, defeat the virus and grow the economy," Ms Pelosi said.

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