LaMalfa opposes proxy voting, supports Chinese Muslims
LaMalfa joins lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of proxy voting
Congressman Doug LaMalfa issued the following statement after he was added as a plaintiff to a lawsuit in the D.C. Federal District Court challenging the constitutionality of proxy voting. This lawsuit was filed by Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy, 19 other House Republicans, and four other Americans on May 26. Additionally, LaMalfa vowed to refrain from using the proxy vote in any way.
“House Democrats in a partisan vote delegitimized this body with their proxy voting scheme,” LaMalfa said. “Over 70 of my Democrat colleagues have supported a bill to hand their vote over to another member – leaving their constituents to be represented by another district. I joined this lawsuit because the U.S. Constitution is the foundation for all laws in this country, and this change in House rules violates our most important governing document.
Article I Section 5 of the Constitution clearly says a majority of members present shall constitute a quorum, meaning no business may take place without a majority of members in attendance. Our Founders intended for Congress to meet in person to be the voice of our constituents. Even if temporary, proxy voting opens the door to unforeseeable risks that Americans cannot afford – literally.
Just look at the $3 trillion bill Speaker Pelosi forced through the House two weeks ago. With proxy voting in place, a mere 22 members of Congress could make any decision on any bill. The risks to the republic are too great. Members of Congress are elected to be the voice of the people they represent, not to give away that voice because it is inconvenient for them to travel to DC.”
LaMalfa says U.S. remains focused on defending religious freedom for Uyghurs in China
LaMalfa issued the following statement after voting in favor of S. 3744, the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act. Uyghurs are ethnic Turkic Muslims in Xinjiang who are currently being detained by China in “re-education camps” that provide “de-extremization” programming. This legislation would condemn gross human rights violations of Uyghurs in Xinjiang and call for an end to the Chinese Communist Party’s detention, torture, and harassment of religious minorities.
“The CCP’s abuse of the Uyghurs due to their religious beliefs highlights China’s corrupt moral principles,” LaMalfa said. “The Uyghurs, like every other religious group, deserve the freedom to practice their religion without persecution. Beijing is wrong to think the United States’ priorities have shifted away from supporting those seeking freedom from abusive regimes. Congress’s actions today send a clear message to China and the world that we will not stand for systematic, strong-handed policies that threaten religious liberty or any other human right. I look forward to the President signing this important legislation into law and holding the CCP accountable for their continued horrific actions.”
