Why won’t the Office of Congressional Ethics investigate proxy voting?

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Tampa FL

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It’s clear it’s being abused by both Democrats and Republicans but Nancy Pelosi extended it for the 19th and likely final time. Here are a few examples: Rep. Donald Payne says he votes by proxy because he’s a diabetic which would put his health at serious risk if he gets Covid, but he attended a NCAA tournament basketball game the same day the House was in session. Over 150 members voted by proxy when the House held a special session to vote on the Inflation Reduction Act, including Cindy Axne who was on vacation with her family in France. Members were warned of the possibility of a special session and it was announced more than a week in advance. Katie Porter was planning to travel to DC to vote in person but she said her flight was cancelled but I didn’t see any flights between DC and the LA areas canceled in the days prior to the vote. It is not uncommon for 100 or more members to vote by proxy on fly in and fly out days. Check out https://clerk.house.gov/ProxyLetter#ActiveProxies throughout the day tomorrow. Every time I refresh the page another letter is posted. Several Florida representatives voted by proxy as Hurricane Ian was approaching. Proxy voting is supposed to be used for the “ongoing public health emergency”, not a “severe weather emergency”. Representative Chip Roy said he wanted to be with his father who had surgery but he strongly opposes proxy voting, and his father said “Son, stay there and fight those bastards.” Rep Roy told those who regularly proxy vote that they should “Think about not running again. Think about resigning.” Many representatives who regularly vote by proxy are planning to retire. Some have not been in DC in months if ever, since May 2020 but most refuse to show up for work or resign. January 3, 2023 cannot come soon enough.

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