'Republicans Sue Pelosi to Block House Proxy Voting During Pandemic' diff viewer (3/4)

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Republicans Sue Pelosi to Block House Proxy Voting During Pandemic	Republicans Sue Pelosi to Block House Proxy Voting During Pandemic
2020-06-03 08:04:55 UTC	2020-06-06 13:50:26 UTC (3 days later)
Republican leaders sued Speaker Nancy Pelosi and top congressional officials on Tuesday to block the House of Representatives from using a proxy voting system set up by Democrats to allow for remote legislating during the coronavirus pandemic, calling it unconstitutional.	Republican leaders sued Speaker Nancy Pelosi and top congressional officials on Tuesday to block the House of Representatives from using a proxy voting system set up by Democrats to allow for remote legislating during the coronavirus pandemic, calling it unconstitutional.
In a lawsuit that also names the House clerk and sergeant-at-arms as defendants, Representative Kevin McCarthy of California, the minority leader, and roughly 20 other Republicans argued that new rules allowing lawmakers to vote from afar during the coronavirus outbreak would be the end of Congress as it was envisioned by the nation’s founders. Democrats pushed through the changes this month over unanimous Republican opposition.	In a lawsuit that also names the House clerk and sergeant-at-arms as defendants, Representative Kevin McCarthy of California, the minority leader, and roughly 20 other Republicans argued that new rules allowing lawmakers to vote from afar during the coronavirus outbreak would be the end of Congress as it was envisioned by the nation’s founders. Democrats pushed through the changes this month over unanimous Republican opposition.
The Republicans asked a federal judge in Washington to strike down the practice immediately — leaving uncertain the fate of legislation the House plans to take up this week using the new procedures — and to invalidate it permanently.	The Republicans asked a federal judge in Washington to strike down the practice immediately — leaving uncertain the fate of legislation the House plans to take up this week using the new procedures — and to invalidate it permanently.
The suit will face an uphill battle in the courts, where judges have been reluctant to second-guess Congress’s ability to set its own rules. But it fits into a broader push by Republicans, led by President Trump, to put a cloud of suspicion over Democratic efforts to find alternative ways to vote during the pandemic — both in the House and in elections across the country — portraying them as fraudulent attempts to gain political advantage.	The suit will face an uphill battle in the courts, where judges have been reluctant to second-guess Congress’s ability to set its own rules. But it fits into a broader push by Republicans, led by President Trump, to put a cloud of suspicion over Democratic efforts to find alternative ways to vote during the pandemic — both in the House and in elections across the country — portraying them as fraudulent attempts to gain political advantage.
Mr. Trump has railed repeatedly in recent weeks against the idea of expanding mail-in voting, and on Tuesday said with no evidence that a plan to allow for the practice in California would lead to a “Rigged Election.”	Mr. Trump has railed repeatedly in recent weeks against the idea of expanding mail-in voting, and on Tuesday said with no evidence that a plan to allow for the practice in California would lead to a “Rigged Election.”
“No way!” the president wrote on Twitter.	“No way!” the president wrote on Twitter.
On Sunday, the Republican Party sued Gov. Gavin Newsom and California’s secretary of state in an attempt to strike down an executive order dispatching mail-in ballots to every registered voter there, deriding it as an “illegal power grab” and part of Democrats’ “partisan election agenda.”	On Sunday, the Republican Party sued Gov. Gavin Newsom and California’s secretary of state in an attempt to strike down an executive order dispatching mail-in ballots to every registered voter there, deriding it as an “illegal power grab” and part of Democrats’ “partisan election agenda.”
Mr. McCarthy echoed that language in a statement on Tuesday accompanying the filing, and called on the House to return to work physically in Washington.	Mr. McCarthy echoed that language in a statement on Tuesday accompanying the filing, and called on the House to return to work physically in Washington.
On Thursday, Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the majority leader, tied the two issues together, saying the House Democrats’ proxy voting plan came from “the people who want to remake every state’s election laws.” He also suggested that his chamber might not take up any legislation passed by the House when a quorum of members was not physically present.	On Thursday, Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the majority leader, tied the two issues together, saying the House Democrats’ proxy voting plan came from “the people who want to remake every state’s election laws.” He also suggested that his chamber might not take up any legislation passed by the House when a quorum of members was not physically present.
“There will be enormous constitutional questions around anything the House does if they fail to demonstrate a real quorum but plow ahead anyhow,” he said. Mr. McConnell has rejected a bipartisan bid to institute remote voting in his own chamber, and has brought the Senate back to work in person.	“There will be enormous constitutional questions around anything the House does if they fail to demonstrate a real quorum but plow ahead anyhow,” he said. Mr. McConnell has rejected a bipartisan bid to institute remote voting in his own chamber, and has brought the Senate back to work in person.
The new procedures adopted by the House allow any absent lawmaker to designate another member who is physically present to record a vote on his or her behalf, during periods when the speaker, the clerk and the sergeant-at-arms agree there is a state of emergency because of the coronavirus.	The new procedures adopted by the House allow any absent lawmaker to designate another member who is physically present to record a vote on his or her behalf, during periods when the speaker, the clerk and the sergeant-at-arms agree there is a state of emergency because of the coronavirus.
In the lawsuit filed on Tuesday, Republicans argued that voting by proxy “contravenes the founders’ design” that Congress must meet physically as a body, “subverts the structure of the United States Constitution” and dilutes the voting power of individual members of the House.	In the lawsuit filed on Tuesday, Republicans argued that voting by proxy “contravenes the founders’ design” that Congress must meet physically as a body, “subverts the structure of the United States Constitution” and dilutes the voting power of individual members of the House.
“Over the course of 231 years, Congress has assembled at the seat of government while war raged in the surrounding environs and deadly contagion spread throughout the country,” Mr. McCarthy and the Republicans wrote in the suit, citing the War of 1812, the Spanish flu and other dangerous episodes when Congress continued to meet.	“Over the course of 231 years, Congress has assembled at the seat of government while war raged in the surrounding environs and deadly contagion spread throughout the country,” Mr. McCarthy and the Republicans wrote in the suit, citing the War of 1812, the Spanish flu and other dangerous episodes when Congress continued to meet.
“The unbroken American tradition of in-person assembly and voting in Congress confirms the unambiguous text of the Constitution: Proxy voting by members of the House of Representatives is unconstitutional,” they added.	“The unbroken American tradition of in-person assembly and voting in Congress confirms the unambiguous text of the Constitution: Proxy voting by members of the House of Representatives is unconstitutional,” they added.
Democratic leaders insist that the update to the House rules is a good-faith attempt to put a vital branch of government back to work safely on an emergency basis. In a statement on Tuesday before the suit was filed, Ms. Pelosi said that the House’s position was “fully consistent with the Constitution and is supported by expert legal analyses,” and that the chamber had made “its will clear.”	Democratic leaders insist that the update to the House rules is a good-faith attempt to put a vital branch of government back to work safely on an emergency basis. In a statement on Tuesday before the suit was filed, Ms. Pelosi said that the House’s position was “fully consistent with the Constitution and is supported by expert legal analyses,” and that the chamber had made “its will clear.”
“House Republicans’ sad stunt shows that their only focus is to delay and obstruct urgently needed action to meet the needs of American workers and families during the coronavirus crisis,” she said.	“House Republicans’ sad stunt shows that their only focus is to delay and obstruct urgently needed action to meet the needs of American workers and families during the coronavirus crisis,” she said.
Despite the threat, Democratic leaders were moving ahead with plans to deploy proxy voting for the first time on Wednesday. They have already collected letters from at least 50 lawmakers, all Democrats, indicating they may use proxies to cast their votes from home.	Despite the threat, Democratic leaders were moving ahead with plans to deploy proxy voting for the first time on Wednesday. They have already collected letters from at least 50 lawmakers, all Democrats, indicating they may use proxies to cast their votes from home.
Mr. McCarthy and the other Republicans were joined in the suit by a handful of their constituents who contended that the arrangement undermined the very idea of the House, a body where a single representative speaks on behalf of the constituents who elect him or her.	Mr. McCarthy and the other Republicans were joined in the suit by a handful of their constituents who contended that the arrangement undermined the very idea of the House, a body where a single representative speaks on behalf of the constituents who elect him or her.
Along with Ms. Pelosi, the suit named Cheryl L. Johnson, the clerk of the House, and Paul D. Irving, the sergeant-at-arms, both of whom play vital roles in carrying out the proxy voting plan.	Along with Ms. Pelosi, the suit named Cheryl L. Johnson, the clerk of the House, and Paul D. Irving, the sergeant-at-arms, both of whom play vital roles in carrying out the proxy voting plan.
At the center of the lawsuit is a constitutional dispute over whether words like “assemble,” “attendance” and “present” included in the Constitution require Congress to physically come together inside the Capitol to conduct business.	At the center of the lawsuit is a constitutional dispute over whether words like “assemble,” “attendance” and “present” included in the Constitution require Congress to physically come together inside the Capitol to conduct business.
Republicans argue that they do, and that previous generations of lawmakers facing their own crises as great as the Civil War, the Spanish flu and the War of 1812 never considered questioning whether that was the case.	Republicans argue that they do, and that previous generations of lawmakers facing their own crises as great as the Civil War, the Spanish flu and the War of 1812 never considered questioning whether that was the case.
~~Updated June 2, 2020~~	Updated June 5, 2020
	The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.	Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.	Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.	States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.	Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.	Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)	If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.	Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.	The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.	If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.	If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
“In an instant, and over the objections of 189 members of the House from both political parties, the 231-year constitutional tradition of in-person assembly, deliberation and voting among the people’s representatives came to an end,” Republicans said in the suit.	“In an instant, and over the objections of 189 members of the House from both political parties, the 231-year constitutional tradition of in-person assembly, deliberation and voting among the people’s representatives came to an end,” Republicans said in the suit.
Democrats and the constitutional scholars they consulted in drafting the changes take the opposite view, arguing that the Constitution explicitly empowers the House and the Senate to set their own rules, stating in Article I, Section 5: “Each house may determine the rules of its proceedings.”	Democrats and the constitutional scholars they consulted in drafting the changes take the opposite view, arguing that the Constitution explicitly empowers the House and the Senate to set their own rules, stating in Article I, Section 5: “Each house may determine the rules of its proceedings.”
Just because earlier generations that lacked technology did not consider remote voting does not mean that today’s House should not, they argue.	Just because earlier generations that lacked technology did not consider remote voting does not mean that today’s House should not, they argue.
Democrats have also already rejected Republicans’ claim that proxy voting dilutes the voices of members of Congress and the people they represent by allowing a single lawmaker to vote for others. On the contrary, they assert, under the present circumstances it actually makes the body more representative.	Democrats have also already rejected Republicans’ claim that proxy voting dilutes the voices of members of Congress and the people they represent by allowing a single lawmaker to vote for others. On the contrary, they assert, under the present circumstances it actually makes the body more representative.