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Press Releases

Press Releases

On May 15, 2020, the House adopted House Resolution 965 to ensure Congress can continue legislating during COVID-19. The resolution provided for the temporary implementation of remote voting on the House Floor and virtual committee proceedings during a "covered period" designated by the Speaker after receiving a notification from the Sergeant-at-Arms, in consultation with the Attending Physician, that a public health emergency due to a novel coronavirus is in effect.


Chairman McGovern Urges Passage Resolution Temporarily Implementing Remote Voting and Virtual Committee Proceedings

Ensures Congress Can Continue Legislating During the Coronavirus Pandemic

"Convening Congress must not turn into a super-spreader event"


WASHINGTON, DC – House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD), Committee on House Administration Chairperson Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), and Rules Committee Chairman James P. McGovern (D-MA) released the following statement today after the introduction of H.Res 965, which would temporarily implement remote voting on the House Floor and virtual committee proceedings during the coronavirus pandemic.


WASHINGTON, DC – House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD), Committee on House Administration Chairperson Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), and Rules Committee Chairman James P. McGovern (D-MA) released the following statement in response to a proposal made by Republicans on the Virtual Congress Task Force:


"We have sent trillions of dollars out into our communities - they should be going to small businesses and not corporations; our workers, not the wealthy and those already well-off."

**Video of his remarks is available here**


Announces Rules Committee meeting tonight on measure standing up the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis


WASHINGTON, DC — Rules Committee Chairman James P. McGovern (D-MA) released this statement on his presentation to the Democratic Caucus today recommending rules changes that would temporarily implement remote voting during the coronavirus pandemic:


Follows decades of Executive Branch encroachment on Congress' constitutional role over matters like national emergencies, foreign policy, rulemaking, government funding and our military's role abroad