McCarthy complains House is voting by proxy as Ukraine's parliament stays in session

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy again complained about the House of Representatives’ use of proxy voting in a Thursday morning tweet. 

‘If Ukraine’s Parliament can meet in person in the midst of a Russian invasion, why can’t Washington Democrats show up for work in Congress?’ McCarthy mused. 

The California Republican was likely responding to video footage of Ukraine’s parliament meeting Thursday morning amid Russian President Vladimir Putin’s assault on the country. 

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy again complained about the House of Representatives’ use of proxy voting in a Thursday morning tweet

‘If Ukraine’s Parliament can meet in person in the midst of a Russian invasion, why can’t Washington Democrats show up for work in Congress?’ McCarthy mused

Ukraine parliament member Lesia Vasylenko tweeted video footage of the legislative body meeting in person Thursday, as Russian President Vladimir Putin’s siege continued

‘#Ukraine Parliament sits in person today to vote essential defence and security laws. A quick and tense session.We sing the national anthem in unity as we begin our session in the most targeted building in all of Ukraine. #LoveUkraine,’ tweeted parliament member Lesia Vasylenko. 

In May 2020, two months into the coronavirus pandemic, Pelosi changed the House rules to allow members to utilize proxy voting. 

During floor votes another member could come to the microphone and announce how his or her colleagues intended to vote. 

Both Democrats and Republicans have utilized proxy voting in the nearly two years since the rules changed. 

But McCarthy has been on a crusade to see it gone. 

The top House Republican sued over proxy voting several times – with the Supreme Court finally saying in late January that justices would not take up the challenge. 

The decision leaves intact an July 2021 ruling from a lower court allowing proxy voting to stand. 

A three-judge panel on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia said the courts did not have jurisdiction over Congressional rules – as they are a seperate branch of government. 

‘Members of Congress should show up to work on behalf of their constituents, just as they have since our nation was founded,’ McCarthy spokesman Mark Bednar said following the high court’s decision. 

‘We can’t rely on a separate branch of government to make Congress do their jobs as intended by the Constitution, and if Republicans earn back the majority, proxy voting will be eliminated on Day One,’ Bednar added. 

While Washington, D.C. has dropped its vaccination and mask mandates, Pelosi said proxy voting would continue until at least the end of the month.