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EXCLUSIVE: Florida Democratic Rep. Val Demings touted her Senate bid in a virtual event while remotely attending a congressional hearing, and a conservative watchdog group says that may violate House ethics rules.
Demings attended a House Judiciary Committee meeting remotely on April 5, while, at the same time the process was unfolding, he joined Zoom to promote his campaign for the US Senate. , according to a complaint by the Foundation for Civic Trust and Responsibility obtained by Fox News. Digital.
“This incident was not only an embarrassing moment for [Demings]and for the House, but there also appears to be a serious violation of the rules,” states the complaint sent to the Congressional Ethics Office.
Representative Val Demings (D-FL)
(Greg Nash/Pool via REUTERS)
During the committee hearing on the Prevention of Domestic Terrorism Act, Demings made use of House rules that allow representatives to attend proceedings remotely to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Demings voted for the amendments, but a campaign video shows her apologizing for having to listen to the Judiciary Committee so she could hear when it was her turn to respond to the roll call.
“Of course I was looking forward to being with the Duval Caucus, and here I’m stuck on the fringes in the Judiciary, so I apologize for the background noise, but of course I’m also listening to the hearing there, so I know when it’s time to vote,” Demings says in a recording obtained by FACT.
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Demings is running to unseat Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, and on April 5 joined the Duval County Democratic Black Caucus to court Democrats in Jacksonville, Florida, a coalition he will need to win in the general election.
Representative Val Demings, D-Fla.
(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
“Everyone knows my opponent in this race, someone who votes against things that are good for Florida,” Demings said of Rubio. “Someone who doesn’t really… Excuse me, I’m waiting for you to say my name. Someone who doesn’t believe in climate change, say winter, spring, summer and fall. I’m running against someone who likes to pick winners and losers based on your ability to pay to play. Wait a second. No no. Okay, sorry, thank you all so much. Um, and also, my opponent doesn’t like showing up at work.”
In a video of the committee meeting, Demings can be heard voting remotely on several amendments.
Demings was far from the only committee member tuning in remotely. In fact, the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Rep. Jerry Nadler, DN.Y., had to remind the representative repeatedly to “be silent unless they are voting”.
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The House has general rules stating that members must “conduct themselves at all times in a manner that commendably reflects on the House,” and FACT alleges that Demings’s participation in a political event while attending an official committee violated rules requiring the separation between the campaign and congressional affairs.
“Demings’ double attendance at events shows that he chose to attend the committee hearing virtually not for reasons related to the COVID-19 pandemic, but to speak at a campaign event, clearly contrary to the authorized purpose of the rule set forth in House Resolution 965”, which established the parameters to conduct Chamber business remotely due to the COVID-19 emergency.
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House Speaker Nancy Pelosi expanded proxy voting rules, along with remote attendance at congressional hearings, in March. Sergeant-at-Arms William Walker, in consultation with US attending physician Dr. Brian Monahan, wrote that the “public health emergency due to novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 remains in effect.”
Demings, the former Orlando police chief, is running for the Democratic nomination for the US Senate and will likely face Rubio in the November midterm elections.
Demings’ office did not immediately respond to Fox News’ request for comment.
Reference-www.foxnews.com