Congress may soon embrace telecommuting, if a resolution filed Friday is adopted.

Rep. Eric Swalwell’s (D-Calif.) proposal for a mobile Congress would amend House rules so lawmakers can take care of business using the latest communication technologies, including video conferencing.

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The resolution would create a secure, remote voting system so members could vote on bills that are being considered under a suspension of regular rules, meaning they require a two-thirds majority in the House to pass. The process is usually reserved for bills that are noncontroversial.

Additionally, the resolution would allow lawmakers and witnesses to participate in committee hearings held in Washington via videoconferencing technology. Rather than jetting back to Washington to attend a committee hearing, a House member could join the hearing with a tap of a button right from his or her district office.

Swalwell has two Republican cosponsors, so it appears to be a bipartisan idea.

Swalwell, who at 32 is one of the youngest members of Congress, introduced the resolution along with Reps. Steve Pearce (R-N.M.) and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.).

On the one hand, this proposal would really reduce travel costs for Congress at a time when budgets are tight. On the other hand, can any remote voting system really be ‘secure’? Time will tell if this bill goes anywhere in the House.