Republicans on the Home Oversight Committee rejected a rule modification that may permit members to take part remotely if they’ve a medical need, whereas Chairman Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., agreed to make lodging for Rating Member Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., who’s battling Diffuse Massive B Cell Lymphoma.
Raskin supplied the modification to permit distant participation in circumstances the place “in-person participation would potentially compromise the member’s health.” The committee’s senior Democrat cited COVID-19 as a hypothetical cause. Comer was fast to oppose having a blanket rule, however famous that he as the power to make lodging for such conditions on a person foundation.
“He and I have had several conversations and I will say this publicly, I will do everything in my ability to work with you to make sure that we can accommodate anything with respect to committee work while you’re undergoing treatment,” Comer mentioned turning to Raskin.
That being mentioned, Comer maintained that “this amendment is not necessary,” and urged others to vote in opposition to it.
HOUSE GOP PUSH BIDEN TO END PANDEMIC SPENDING, FORCE FEDS TO RETURN TO WORK

UNITED STATES – JANUARY 12: Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., prepares for a tv interview within the U.S. Capitol on Thursday, January 12, 2023. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Name, Inc by way of Getty Photographs)
(Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Name, Inc by way of Getty Photographs)
Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., additionally voiced his opposition to the modification, stating that when distant work was allowed within the final Congress, there have been “many” who “abused” this potential, even working from their workplace slightly than be a part of their colleagues.
“This amendment is not needed,” Donalds mentioned.

Consultant Jamie Raskin, a Democrat from Maryland, speaks throughout a listening to of the Choose Committee to Examine the January sixth Assault on the US Capitol in Washington, D.C., US, on Tuesday, July 12, 2022. Whether or not far-right extremists who attacked the US Capitol had been inspired by and even conspired with then-PresidentDonald Trumpwill be the topic of right now’s listening to by the Home committee investigating the riot. Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg by way of Getty Photographs
( Al Drago/Bloomberg by way of Getty Photographs)
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., the second-highest rating Democrat on the committee, acknowledged Donalds’ issues and voiced appreciation for Comer making lodging for Raskin, however supported the modification out of the assumption that it shouldn’t be as much as one particular person’s discretion for whether or not a member is required to work in particular person once they have a medical want.

FILE: Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., is interviewed on his solution to the Home chamber, Friday, Jan. 6, 2023, to attend the 14th vote for speaker of the Home, on Capitol Hill in Washington.
(AP Picture/Jacquelyn Martin)
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Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., additionally opposed the invoice, whereas providing well-wishes for Raskin. She pointed to how “the White House simply introduced that they’re going to be calling an finish to the COVID-19 emergency,” arguing that there isn’t any want to vary guidelines for the pandemic. She additionally introduced up one other potential medical want, being pregnant, stating that “it doesn’t stop many women from showing up for work,” so it shouldn’t be an excuse for committee members.
“I think it’s important for all members to come and to be present as much as they possibly can, because we have a job to do for the American people,” she mentioned.
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