Never before in the history of the United States were lawmakers allowed to appear via video conference or ask a proxy to attend on their behalf. COVID-19 has changed the world we live in ways we have never imagined. A lot of people are saying that the world will never go back to the way it was before and that citizens should brace themselves for the "new normal"

Votes have been cast last Friday and this historical change allows lawmakers to function remotely for the first time since the first U.S. Congress convened on March 4, 1989. Before this decision was put into place, lawmakers have deliberated the proposal for remote work as the pandemic worsened and public health risks had to be considered.

Historical Friday polls

Majority of the population is advised to keep social distancing and stay at home to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. With a vote of 217-189, House Democrats have sealed the decision with changes never before seen in 200 years of Congress. During the Friday vote, lawmakers were asked to observe social distancing and they were to remain a distance of 6 feet apart at all times inside the Capitol. In cases where social distancing is not possible, it is strongly recommended to use face masks. The vote was conducted with only 72 members on the House floor at one time and were asked to leave immediately after voting in order to avoid overcrowding.

Democrats have stressed that new rules changes would allow everyone to perform their duties without the risk of spreading the coronavirus by travelling back and forth to Washington D.C. However, Republicans have criticized this new decision as anti-democratic.

Rep. Virginia Foxx said that "Today is a dark day in the history of our country". She indicated that several states have started reopening local economies and Congress should be free to do the same.

This is the first time that remote voting has ever been approved. Past attempts to implement it have faced backlash and the House of Congress was only able to reset the floor quorum, allowing a lower number of people present for national emergencies, only several years after the 9/11 attacks.

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Enforcing remote voting rules

The results of the Friday votes will allow remote voting by proxy and remote proceedings to be implemented temporarily. Under the new rule, any lawmaker who is incapable to travel or simply does not want to travel during this pandemic is allowed to assign a proxy. According to the House Rules Committee, these proxies will be given written instructions from the members they are representing. Each lawmaker is only allowed up to 10 proxy votes.

Proxies will only be a temporary countermeasure and lawmakers will no longer need them as soon as leaders will approve high-tech options in the future. Studies are to be conducted for high tech remote voting and once it is tested out, could be installed in a few months.

Democrat House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer even suggested that House members can one day use FaceTime to cast their votes.