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"Rep. Steve Pearce (R-N.M.) wants to create a "virtual Congress," where lawmakers would leverage videoconferencing and other remote work technology to conduct their daily duties in Washington from their home districts. Under a resolution Pearce introduced on Thursday, lawmakers would be able to hold hearings, debate and vote on legislation virtually from their district offices...Pearce says the resolution would eradicate the need for members to jet back and forth from their districts to Washington each weekend. This would allow lawmakers to spend more time with their constituents rather than the armies of lobbyists from K St., he argues."
Should Congress be allowed to telecommute from their home states? Besides the obvious that it saves on air fare and commuting time for Representatives, is there any more reasons why they should or shouldn't be allowed to do it? Those of you not allowed to telecommunicate at your jobs or allowed to telecommunicate at your jobs, would the same reasons apply to Congress?
I'm not up on the latest ability of Homeland Security to grab info from your computer/e-mail and what they can do and what they can't do but if they can do it remotely and without a warrant, that would be a privacy concern of mine. That is the Executive Branch getting access to the Legislative Branch's pre-vote/pre-bill info under any administration.
They should be allowed to vote from home. Congress should be like many states. They should go to DC once a year for 16 weeks to pass major things like a budget. The minor stuff they can do from home.
But, how would lobbyists pass money to the members of Congress? Via Paypal? That would not do.
I bet, speaking of lobbyists, that the representative putting forth this idea did so at the request of a lobbyist for a company that would profit handsomely from setting up the system.
However, I think it may be a good idea. Have the members of Congress at home, where they people they purport to represent can more easily meet with them.
I will note that two or three years ago my Social Security hearing office (as well as the others) set up videoconference capacity. Now, instead of having an AJL disappear for a week or two to Abilene or wherever, they stay in the home office to hold the remote hearings. It has saved a LOT of money.
Think what that would do for the poor lobbyists that would have to go to every state rather then being able to corner them all in the same locale.
Right now the handoffs are in the safe bathrooms in the Capitol Building.
The GAO provides de-bugging services twice a day.
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Should Congress Be Allowed To Telecommute From Their Home States?
