Video of Dan Crenshaw Calling Proxy Voting 'Cowardly' Resurfaces After He Votes Against Impeachment by Proxy

A video has resurfaced of Representative Dan Crenshaw calling proxy voting "cowardly" just after the Texas Republican voted remotely against the impeachment of President Donald Trump on Wednesday.

"If you think that's leadership, then I would encourage you to rethink what it means to be a representative," Crenshaw said in a floor speech last year. "If we are to survive this historic crisis, we might collectively stiffen our spines and demonstrate to the American people what that looks like."

Crenshaw posted a clip of the speech to Twitter in May 2020 in response to some of his colleagues wanting to vote at home or by proxy amid the coronavirus pandemic. The caption read: "Proxy voting is cowardly. Period."

In a Facebook post in April 2020, Crenshaw responded to a report that House Democrats were seeking to change procedural rules amid the COVID-19 crisis by stating he "will NEVER support proxy or remote voting."

"America is looking to its representatives to act like LEADERS with courage, not spineless sheep in hiding," Crenshaw wrote. "We ask our grocers to work, our truckers to drive, and our nurses to risk their lives. Congress can show up to VOTE."

The video has resurfaced in light of Crenshaw's decision to vote on an article of impeachment against Trump by proxy. In a letter to the clerk of the House of Representatives, Crenshaw wrote he was "unable to physically attend proceedings in the House Chamber due to the ongoing public health emergency."

The Houston lawmaker had Representative Troy Nehls (R-Texas) serve as his proxy in the historic vote. Crenshaw voted against Trump's impeachment, but the article passed 232 to 197—making Trump the first president in American history to be impeached twice. Just 10 GOP members voted to impeach Trump.

Trump was charged with "incitement of insurrection" after a mob of his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol building on January 6 to protest the certification of President-elect Joe Biden's victory. Five people died in the riot, including one law enforcement officer.

In a statement, Crenshaw and three other Republican members condemned Trump for pressuring lawmakers and Vice President Mike Pence to reject the state electors. Even though they described his behavior as "reckless," they were against his impeachment.

"Voting to impeach the President seven days before his departure from office serves little purpose given the Senate will not be able to hold a trial by that time and risks establishing this impeachment as politically motivated," the statement read. "Furthermore, the articles are flawed, charging crimes that are lacking the requisite element of intent. For these reasons and others, we will not be voting for these articles of impeachment despite our strong belief the President's actions were wrong."

Newsweek reached out to Crenshaw's office for comment, but didn't receive a response prior to publication.