The technology for keeping such large debates manageable predates electric lighting. Applying rules of order to a teleconference scenario would no doubt have it

The technology for keeping such large debates manageable predates electric lighting. Applying rules of order to a teleconference scenario would no doubt have its wrinkles, but overall I don't see why it couldn't be done. The "mixing desk" would be virtual. Probably the major cost would be provisioning backhaul, but who are we kidding, Verizon and Comcast would get the contract. Gouge like hell for it, too, in the best tradition of government contracting. But most of what happens in the process of legislating doesn't happen in the House and Senate chambers, and I do wonder how well that'd play out without anyone in physical proximity.