DNC committee acts to allow changes for national convention

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) – Several options are being considered by the Democratic Party to host its National Convention during a pandemic in Milwaukee, from an all-virtual option suggested by the presumptive nominee Joe Biden to a one-day stadium event mentioned by Nancy Pelosi.

On Tuesday, the party took another concrete step in addressing the issue.

The COVID-19 crisis already forced the convention date to be pushed back from mid-July to the week of August 17.

The Democratic National Committee’s Rules and Bylaws Committee voted to allow the host committee in Milwaukee to make any necessary adjustments to hold the convention safely.

“Does this mean that a precise format has been decided? No,” DNC Chair Tom Perez said in a telephone conference. “This resolution was necessary to adapt and plan in order to ensure that every delegate is able to accomplish their official business without putting their own health at risk, whether that be participating in person or by other means to allow for social distancing.”

The resolution is especially important in addressing what to do with the thousands of delegates that were initially set to arrive in Milwaukee this summer. Perez believes today’s action is just the start of making sure the convention can be held successfully and safely.

“While we are working to plan a successful convention in Milwaukee the week of August 17,” Perez said, “the resolution being discussed today is an important first step in giving our convention team the maximum flexibility it needs during a truly unprecedented moment in our history.”

The resolution does not outline specific changes but gives the host committee power to make them however they see necessary for a safe convention.

The resolution passed the Rules and Bylaws Committee and now moves forward to go before the full Democratic National Committee.