Bob Latta: “I thank my friend for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H. Res. 965, which is a flagrant disregard to the…”

“I thank my friend for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H. Res. 965, which is a flagrant disregard to the Constitution and House traditions. Proxy voting has previously been deliberated in this body. In 1970, an amendment was offered to ban all forms of proxy voting in committees. It argued committee members should be present in person to listen to debate, discuss, and vote. Proxy voting tends to add to the cloud of suspicion hanging over Congress. The use of proxy voting on important bills gives up a Member's voice and adds to the appearance of secrecy. In 1974, an amendment was offered to entirely ban proxy voting. It was adopted by this House but later overturned by the Democratic Caucus. A CRS report gave the opponents' views to proxy voting by stating that it contributes to the domination of committee chairs, contributes to absenteeism, and detracts from the care necessary to formulate sound legislation. A history maxim states that he who forgets the past is condemned to repeat it. Learn from our past and vote ``no.'' Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.”