Maxine Waters cited in push to stop ‘zombies voting from a rocking chair 3000 miles away’

House Speaker Mike Johnson has reportedly made a formal move to eliminate the ability of lawmakers to vote by proxy.

Social media reactions came in as reports circulated that Johnson had filed a formal motion with the Committee on Rules and Procedures to end the “Proxy Voting” system that was implemented under Democratic leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many saw the move by Johnson as a direct shot at Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), the 87-year-old who has been in office for more than three decades.

“Congresswoman Waters hasn’t been in the House chamber in months,” Johnson reportedly wrote in his brief. “Yet her vote is always registered. It’s time to eliminate the procedural loophole that allows that to happen.”

Why did it take months to do this? https://t.co/Ge1fnhjKP3

— Amy Curtis (@RantyAmyCurtis) April 10, 2026

“That rule needs to go so we don’t have zombies voting from a rocking chair three thousand miles away,” the Republican House speaker reportedly said, in an apparent jab at Waters and other lawmakers who have allegedly not been seen in the chamber in months.

Last year, a group of Republicans joined Democrats in a procedural rule vote that sought to remove remote voting for lawmakers who become new parents.

“To allow proxy voting for one category of Members would open the door for many others, and ultimately result in remote voting that would harm the operation of our deliberative body and diminish the critical role of the legislative branch,” Johnson said at the time. “Nancy Pelosi experimented with proxy voting during the 117th Congress, and it was quickly abused. Republicans put an end to it then, and we cannot allow it again.”

Meanwhile, Waters, who has been dubbed “Auntie Maxine” by her fans, is currently the Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Committee and could be its chair if Democrats win a majority in November’s elections.

“Waters — who became the first woman and Black person to lead the panel in 2019 — faces virtually no opposition, despite a growing chorus of Democrats calling for the end of Capitol Hill’s enduring gerontocracy,” Politico noted last month. “Waters’ grip on the role illustrates the entrenched power that many older members of Congress hold, despite growing scrutiny of elder politicians who show signs of decline while serving.”

Social media users reacted to reports that Johnson is moving to pull the plug on members of Congress voting by proxy.

Can’t believe @SpeakerJohnson hasn’t gotten rid of this COVID era exception to in person voting in the House as of yet.

— Skylark (@skylark1984) April 10, 2026

Must be nice to be paid for never showing up to your job. Everyday, nonCongressional people would love to be able to do the same, just call in now and again and let the boss know you still exist.

— America_First (@120w_max) April 10, 2026

Voting by proxy should never be allowed unless an emergency like being hospitalized or death in close family and then they should have to provide video showing their vote.

— Linda Cox (@Nanny8Cox) April 10, 2026

It cannot be overstated how unimpressed we have become by the “filing of motions.”

— Todd (@VariousRegards)

Mad Max Waters is 87 years old, it’s past time she retired. IF this is true, @SpeakerJohnson you need to take Waters off of committees as well.

— 🇺🇸Yooper🇺🇸 (@Yooperhomestead) April 10, 2026

rc=twsrc%5Etfw”>April 10, 2026

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