Amid virus, Congress' leaders resist call for remote voting
By ALAN FRAM and MATTHEW DALY
Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) - Some lawmakers want Congress to allow remote voting in the House and the Senate as the coronavirus spreads around the country. But congressional leaders are resisting the idea. The dispute pits the scourge of the infection against two centuries of tradition. It underscores Washington's struggle to adapt to recommendations about how to handle the pandemic. Advocates of the voting change cite the health perils of traveling to the U.S. Capitol - especially by air - when health experts want people to avoid crowds. Congresswoman Katie Porter says “we cannot stand on tradition” if it puts lives at risk. But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell oppose the change.
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