Legislative Proxy and Absence Accommodation Resolution

Legislative Proxy and Absence Accommodation Resolution

This concurrent resolution authorizes proxy voting and remote appearances by Members of Congress who are absent due to an illness, military service, jury duty, or other circumstances.

The concurrent resolution establishes grounds and procedures by which an absent Member of the House of Representatives or the Senate may (1) designate another Member to cast a vote or record the presence of the absent Member; and (2) remotely appear at a committee proceeding.

The concurrent resolution authorizes proxy voting and remote appearances for absences due to

• jury duty;
• the death of a family member;
• a family member who has a serious health condition;
• the Member's own illness or serious health condition;
• the birth, adoption, or foster placement of a son or daughter;
• the Member serving in the armed services;
• a family member being called to active duty; or
• a condition preventing the Member from safely traveling to or performing work at the proceeding.

Certain purposes are time-limited; for example, an absence due to a Member's own illness is limited to seven days in a calendar year.

Further, a Member must provide to the Clerk of the House or the Secretary of the Senate, respectively (1) a written proxy designation or notice of remote appearance, (2) the grounds for the absence, and (3) such documentation as they may require. The Clerk and Secretary must maintain and make publicly available a list of the grounds, time frames, and other details about Members using these provisions.

Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov