Amid virus, Congress' leaders resist call for remote voting

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congressional leaders are resisting calls to let lawmakers vote remotely, a dispute pitting the scourge of the coronavirus against two centuries of tradition that underscores Washington's struggle to adapt to swiftly evolving recommendations for coping with the pandemic.

Advocates of the voting change cite the health perils of air travel at a time when health experts want people to avoid crowds. They argue that as infections spread, it may become all but impossible for many lawmakers to journey to the Capitol because of the growing risk of getting the virus.

“There was a time when physical presence was the only way to make sure that a person was present and voting," said No. 2 Senate Democratic leader Dick Durbin, D-Ill. “I think that technology gives us other options and we better exercise them."

So far, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell have taken steps to reduce the risks of lawmakers in the Capitol infecting each other. But they've opposed letting them cast votes electronically from their home districts.

“Come in and vote and depart the chamber so we don't have gaggles of conversations here on the floor," McConnell, R-Ky., advised senators Wednesday. McConnell said that to help prevent lawmakers from crowding together, he would prolong the time allowed for what are supposed to be 15-minute roll calls. The day's first lasted 50 minutes.

McConnell put his foot down Tuesday against remote voting, saying, “We'll not be doing that."

“We will deal with the social distancing issue without fundamentally changing Senate rules,” McConnell said.

Pelosi, D-Calif., whose hometown of San Francisco is among many Bay Area communities whose residents have been ordered to stay home, has also opposed the idea.

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