NEWS: Several Republicans in the House have skipped Friday's votes and enlisted their colleagues to vote on their behalf, signing letters saying they couldn't attend "due to the ongoing public health emergency."

But those members are scheduled to be at CPAC

The members include Rep. Matt Gaetz -- as well as some of Trump's staunchest defenders who are listed as speakers, like Reps. Paul Gosar of Arizona, Madison Cawthorn of North Carolina and Ted Budd of North Carolina. https://t.co/mKHI2X00fu

To vote by proxy, a process that Republicans originally fought in court, lawmakers must sign a letter with the House clerk and allow another member to vote at their direction and on their behalf.

The letters say: "I am unable to physically attend proceedings in the House Chamber due to the ongoing public health emergency."
The House has had several votes on Friday and is scheduled to take up the $1.9 trillion Covid relief bill in the evening

Republicans are using a process they criticized and sued over -- and now misusing it by saying they can't attend votes because of the pandemic, but are actually speaking at a political conference.

https://t.co/mKHI2X00fu

There are now 13 Republicans we have counted who signed letter saying they can’t attend votes today because of pandemic - but are listed as CPAC speakers. Many of them critics of voting by proxy. (GOP points to House Dems who’ve done similar in the past.) https://t.co/mKHI2X00fu

On the floor tonight, responding to Chip Roy, the chair said the rule “requires any letter authorizing proxy voting to contain an affirmative statement that because of the public health emergency, the member is unable to physically attend proceedings in the House chamber.”