Press Releases

Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA) issued the following statement after he joined House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy and American citizens in a D.C. Federal District Court lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of H.Res. 965, the House Democrat plan to vote by proxy.

“This week, the House is attempting to pass the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) by voting on its reauthorization using the Democrats’ corruptible proxy-voting rules. While House Democrats are arguing that passing FISA, though it has been wrought with abuses and corruption, is critical to the safety and security of Americans, they are doing so through an unprecedented process that will be subjected to serious constitutional challenges. Passing this bill with over 70 Democrats relinquishing their Constitutional voting power to others could result in the invalidation of the FISA reauthorization if the proxy-voting scheme is deemed unconstitutional. This is why I’ve joined my Republican colleagues, and the American people, in filing a lawsuit to stop the Democrats’ dangerous proxy scheme.

“Congressional members have returned to Washington, D.C. several times during this pandemic to vote in person on critical pieces of legislation to help the American people. However, with fewer Democrats returning each time, and the number of Republicans consistent, Speaker Pelosi threw-out 231 years historic precedent, and changed House rules to allow members to submit their votes by proxy. Some of the proxies for this current bill were received nearly two weeks ago, long before the bill was debated, and amendments considered. This is unbelievable, and it is not the way the Founders envisioned the highest legislative body in the land operating.

“This lawsuit is about preserving the integrity of our legislative branch and the Constitution of the United States. I do not believe the American people will sit on the sidelines while Democrats try to change our system just to tip the scale in their favor, as they tried to do in 2016 when President Obama’s FBI abused FISA and illegally spied on the Trump campaign. Proxy-voting is just the newest attempt to game the system and pass legislation a majority of Americans do not support. By allowing one single representative to vote on behalf of ten others, this proxy-voting scheme will allow House Democrats to pass legislation with just twenty-two representatives present on the House floor. It’s unconstitutional, a dereliction of duty, and it’s our responsibility to do everything in our power to stop it.”