Press Releases

Today, Rep. Phil Roe, M.D. (R-Tenn.) the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, joined all other Republican Ranking Members from standing and select House Committees in sending a letter to House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (Md.) in opposition to H.Res. 965. This proxy voting measure proposes partisan changes that facilitate remote and virtual committee operations while the House remains in recess during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the letter, the Members stress that this legislation would upend more than 200 years of precedent and jeopardize the deliberative process of the House of Representatives, and the ability to effectively conduct official Committee business.

“I am proud to join my fellow Ranking Members today in opposing the overtly partisan power grab exemplified in the proposed rules change and urge my colleagues in both parties to stand on the right side of history by joining us. For more than 200 years – through pandemics, world wars, terrorist attacks, and other catastrophes– the House of Representatives has found a way to fulfill its duties under the constitution. It is shameful that we are considering abandoning that now. As a doctor, I fully appreciate the seriousness of the current crisis and the need to take extraordinary steps to protect public health. But, every day, millions of our fellow citizens are showing us that it is possible to safely carry on and make sure that essential needs are met. They deserve elected leaders that display that same spirit of courage and innovation, not ones who hide behind computer screens.”

The full text of the letter can be found here.