On the recordMay 15, 2020
Let me just read from the Constitution. Article I, Section 5: ``Each House shall be the judge of the elections, returns and qualifications of its own Members, and a majority of each shall constitute a quorum.'' You can't pass a bill on this floor with proxies and have it upheld unless you change the Constitution, and this doesn't do it. Now, some here say: But if it saves one life, it is worth it. How about the million Americans who laid down their lives not for a wishy- washy, ``Oh, maybe we should be afraid. We might get something and die.'' They didn't do that in the Spanish flu days. They didn't do it in the Civil War. But now we are going to do it. Come on. There were people that died, saying things like: ``Live free or die.'' And now, we are going to amend the Constitution with a House rule. That is ridiculous. If you are going to destroy 40 million lives and livelihoods, at least have the courage to come here and do it in person. You didn't let the Member from Georgia do it years ago. You denied that, and I felt like you were right. We have to preserve the Constitution, not abuse it with a House rule. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members are reminded to address their remarks to the Chair. Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I include in the Record a letter from Deborah Pearlstein, a constitutional law professor from Cardozo School of Law. Cardozo Law, April 16, 2020.…
