On the recordMay 15, 2020
I thank the gentleman for yielding. We cannot do and cannot do--and how many times can I say it?--we cannot stand here and do nothing. The Constitution has no provision that prohibits this body from doing something to avoid a catastrophe of not being able to govern this Nation. My friends who were here during the heinous tragedy of 9/11 remember that we had a continuity committee and put in a provision of the rules under Republican leadership of what would constitute a quorum. But let me say this, my friends. No one is telling you not to be present, but what it does say is that we are prepared, we will not panic. We are prepared in case a catastrophic resurgence of COVID-19 comes in the fall as the scientists have said. And, no, no proxy is going to dominate this floor. A proxy is directed by the Member, and they must specifically, on each vote, tell you what to do. Those directions are specific. At the same time, no Member is prohibited, as I said, from coming to this floor. Eleanor Roosevelt said: ``One thing I believe profoundly: We make our own history.'' That is what we are doing. We are making our history so that we can serve the American public. Do you think truck drivers and first responders want us to collapse and not pass a bill that provides for them so they will not be furloughed and fired? They want us to do our job. Thomas Paine said, ``times that try men's souls.'' This is a constitutional process.…
