A motion to allow for remote testimony was denied Friday in Idaho House of Representatives in a 49-to-11 vote.
Rep. Muffy Davis, D-Ketchum, made the motion just after the House convened at 9 a.m. It applied to individuals who have a physical impairment putting them at increased risk of suffering life-threatening consequences if they were to contract COVID-19, like Davis, whose spinal cord injury severely impaired her lung capacity and ability to cough.
If passed, the motion would’ve allowed the applicable member to participate from a location of their choosing within the city limits of Boise rather than on the packed House floor or in committee rooms.
The request was circulated to all House members Thursday morning in hopes of giving it a better chance of passing. But only the Democratic representatives voted in favor.
“I am incredibly saddened by the lack of compassion by the lack of empathy shown by my Republican colleagues,” Davis said following the vote. “COVID-19 is a serious threat to my health. … I want to do this job and work safely, just as many healthy state employees and private businesses already do. But those across the aisle don’t seem to recognize that. A person’s health and welfare shouldn’t be partisan, and yet, here we are.”