Congress Looks to Modernization to Maintain Social Distancing

In a note to House member offices Monday, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi announced the introduction of electronic submission of floor documents in an effort to adhere to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance on social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic. The House also received praise from several stakeholders regarding the chamber’s passage of the Moving Our Democracy and Congressional Operations Towards Modernization (MODCOM) Resolution.

In a Dear Colleague letter to House offices, Speaker Pelosi explained that effective Tuesday, House staff must electronically submit floor documents, including bills, resolutions, cosponsors and extensions of remarks, to a “dedicated and secure email system,” rather than hand-delivering hard copies to the Speaker’s lobby or to Democrat and Republican cloakrooms.

The decision was made “in consultation with the Rules Committee, Committee on House Administration, Office of the Clerk and Office of the Parliamentarian.”

“Please be advised that this policy will be effective through April 19 and may be extended if continued disruption of House operations remains necessary due to the pandemic.  Normal practice for Floor submissions will resume once the House returns full-time to the Capitol for regular business,” the letter explained.

Congress has increasingly sought electronic options for handling its official business during the coronavirus situation. Last month, the House passed the MODCOM resolution nearly unanimously, receiving praise from stakeholders.

“Last month’s near unanimous passage of the MODCOM Resolution, which contained nearly 30 of the Select Committee’s recommendations to modernize and improve Congress, will help bring the House into the 21st century and – most importantly – make Congress work better for the American people,” a group letter to House leadership explains. “Passage of this resolution will increase transparency, strengthen and diversify the congressional workforce, realize key efficiencies, and improve critical technology, among other needed updates.”

The cross-ideological signatories include the American Library Association, Demand Progress, Freedom Works, Partnership for Public Service, and R Street Institute, among others.