Swansenreport

Speaker Johnson Moves to End Proxy Voting, Citing Maxine Waters’ Months-Long Absence

House Speaker Mike Johnson has filed a formal motion to eliminate proxy voting in the House of Representatives — a move widely seen as a direct response to the months-long absence of Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA), whose votes have continued to be recorded despite her not appearing in the chamber.

Johnson filed the motion with the Committee on Rules and Procedures to end the proxy voting system that was originally implemented by Democrats during the COVID-19 pandemic. In his brief, Johnson wrote that Waters “hasn’t been in the House chamber in months,” yet her vote is always registered, and called it “a procedural loophole that allows that to happen.” GovTrack.us

Johnson said the rule “needs to go so we don’t have zombies voting from a rocking chair three thousand miles away.” He also cited historical precedent, noting that Republicans had ended Nancy Pelosi’s pandemic-era proxy voting system when they took the majority and warning that “it was quickly abused.” GovTrack.us

Waters, who is 87 years old and has represented her California district since 1991, has not commented publicly on her extended absence from the floor. According to GovTrack, Waters has missed 6.7% of roll call votes over her career — more than three times the current median of 2.1% among sitting representatives. Despite the scrutiny, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has continued to back Waters, saying he expects her “iconic leadership” to continue into the next Congress. Waters herself has said, “I don’t know who’s got more energy, more concern. Maxine Waters seems to be doing alright.” FacebookGovTrack.us

The controversy touches a broader and bipartisan tension in Washington over aging lawmakers who continue to serve — and collect full congressional salaries and benefits — while rarely appearing in person. Waters is currently running for re-election, with California’s primary scheduled for June 2.

Sources: BizPacReview | GovTrack | New Conservative Post / Politico