On May 15, 2020, the House adopted House Resolution 965 to ensure Congress can continue legislating during COVID-19. The resolution provided for the temporary implementation of remote voting on the House Floor and virtual committee proceedings during a "covered period" designated by the Speaker after receiving a notification from the Sergeant-at-Arms, in consultation with the Attending Physician, that a public health emergency due to a novel coronavirus is in effect. A "covered period" was designated by Speaker Pelosi on May 20, 2020 and was ultimately extended through the end of the 116th Congress.
On January 4, 2021, the House adopted House Resolution 8 of the 117th Congress, which carries forward House Resolution 965 from the 116th Congress. A “covered period” was again designated by Speaker Pelosi on January 4, 2021 and was last extended on June 24, 2022.
Below, please find useful related documents including a step-by-step guide on how Members can cast their votes remotely on the House floor; letter templates for the designation, alteration, and revocation of proxies; and regulations that were inserted in the Congressional Record for remote voting on the floor and for remote committee proceedings.
- Letter Templates for Designation, Alteration, and Revocation of Proxies
- Remote Voting by Proxy Regulations (117th Congress) (as submitted for printing in the Congressional Record)
- Remote Committee Proceedings Regulations (117th Congress) (as submitted for printing in the Congressional Record)
- Information on House Resolution 8 of the 117th Congress
- Summary of House Resolution 965 of the 116th Congress
- Office of the Clerk's Quick Guide to Remote Voting by Proxy (internal access only)
- H. Rept. 116-420—Report from the Committee on Rules to accompany H. Res. 965.