WASHINGTON, DC – Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) released the following statement after voting against both H Res 965, allowing for proxy voting, and HR 6800, the HEROES Act.

“The only positive to what happened in our nation’s capital today is that our Congress was finally at work,” said Rep. Hern. “The bill put forward in the name of coronavirus relief was a slap in the face to our small business owners, our health care workers, and the millions of Americans who have lost their jobs or been furloughed due to coronavirus. Not only was it drafted behind closed doors, without input from anyone other than Speaker Pelosi and self-interested lobbyists, but it was done in spite of widespread calls for bipartisanship from members of both parties. It never went through the committee or amendment process, barring nearly every Member of Congress from getting official input on the bill.”

Rep. Hern continued, “I’ve spoken with numerous constituents this week – Republicans, Democrats, and everything in between – and they all agree that filling an 1,800-page coronavirus relief bill with partisan pet projects is flat out wrong. So many Americans are seeing firsthand the seedy underbelly of politics right now, the willingness of people like Pelosi to turn an international crisis into the launchpad of her unpopular socialist policies. No wonder Congress’ approval ratings are in the gutter. Now, Pelosi expects me to hand over my vote, my sworn responsibility to the 1^st District, to her with this proxy voting scam. Congress has managed to fulfill our Constitutional responsibility through both World Wars, even the Civil War, through the 1918 influenza epidemic, 9/11 and more. Throughout our country’s darkest moments, Members of Congress have shown up – in person – to write and debate the laws that govern our country.

“As the Speaker herself said in March, we are the ‘captains of the ship.’ But right now, we’re not even on the boat. We must return to our nation’s capital – not just for a day, but for our full session and Congressional assignments – and do the work the people expect from us. The Senate has proven that safety measures are achievable and successful to continue with their work, it’s time to put those methods to work in the House,” concluded Rep. Hern.

Background Information

Bill text on HR 6800 can be found here.

Bill text on H Res 965 can be found here.