Axios
More than a dozen Republicans dropped a vote on the $ 2 billion COVID bill to attend CPAC
CPAC proved such a draw, and conservative Republicans voted the conference over their constituents. Why it matters: More than a dozen House Republicans voted in favor of the $ 1.9 billion COVID-19 enlightenment bill in Washington so they could speak at the Conservative political action conference known as the CPAC. And Senator Ted Cruz chose to be there instead of his hometown of Houston when President Biden visited to investigate storm damage. Keep up to date with the latest market trends and economic insights with Axios Markets. The proxy votes were particularly strict, as the IDP sued to stop the practice when the Democrats created it to enable safe voting during the coronavirus pandemic. And Cruz’s visit to Florida – which, he joked, was not as enjoyable as his much-polluted trip to Cancun – cost him the same face as Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) did when he greeted the president in Texas and accompanied. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Friday: “There was no invitation or request for (Cruz) to attend. There are a number of members of both parties attending and joining the president. “Cruz’s office did not immediately comment, but later added:” Sen. Cruz has not been invited but remains in close contact with government officials and local officials and is committed to ensuring there is a full federal response to these storms. ‘for the presidential campaign in 2024. Everyone had to tread the fine line between promoting their own interests and paying tribute to former President Trump, who delivered Sunday’s closing speech. The lure of thousands of contestants – and close coverage from hammer to hammer on Fox News – has prompted some people to put their personal policies first over the composite responsibilities. At least 13 Republicans in Congress who would speak at CPAC have asked colleagues to cast their votes by proxy – a voting procedure that allows House members to vote remotely during the pandemic. Reps Ted Budd and Madison Cawthorn of North Carolina and Matt Gaetz and Greg Steube of Florida, who would all speak at the conference on Friday, urged colleagues to vote on their behalf. ‘I can not physically attend the proceedings in the Living Room. “because of the continuing public health emergency, and I hereby grant the power to cast my vote by proxy to the Honorable Scott Franklin (FL-15), who has agreed to serve as my proxy,” Gaetz said in his explanatory letter. Jim Banks of Indiana, Paul Gosar of Arizona, Mark Green of Tennessee, Darrell Issa and Devin Nunes of California, Ronny Jackson of Texas, Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania, Ralph Norman of South Carolina and Lauren Boebert of Colorado all have proxies. voted after they were listed A spokesman for Budd told Yahoo News the congressman was still opposed to the procedure but was forced to use it because “Democrats reshuffled the House schedule with extremely late notice.” Budd also donated his daily wage to the North Carolina Restaurant Workers Relief Fund, the spokesman said: (R-California), 20 other House Republicans and four voters filed a lawsuit against the constitutionality of proxy voting, which was rejected, but McCarthy filed an appeal.On the same day, Steve Scalise (R -La.), The Republican Whip of the House, called on its conference to waive power of attorney if members could not vote in person. ‘They are encouraged to submit their voting positions to the Congressional Record rather than to use the Democrats’ proxy voting system, “he wrote. More than a dozen Republicans did not vote on May 27, including Rep. Don Young, who effectively denies the entire state of Alaska. s more than 9 million voters did not represent in the vote to amend the Foreign Intelligence Act of 1978. Republicans are not alone in the dubious use of the procedure. Democratic representatives Charlie Crist and Darren Soto of Florida attended a rocket launch in their home country after asking Congress to vote by proxy last Congress. While the launch was canceled due to inclement weather, McCarthy detonated the two by placing a copy of their power of attorney letter next to the photos of Crist and Soto at the event. Editor: This story has been updated to reflect that John Cornyn accompanies the President only in Texas, Jen Psaki’s remark about Ted Cruz not being asked or invited about President Biden’s trip to Texas, and the explanation from the Cruz office that he stays in touch with federal officials. Like this article? Get more from Axios and subscribe to Axios Markets for free.