posted on Mar, 5 2005 @ 01:02 AM
The U.S. House of Representatives has approved for the second straight year the Continuity in Representation Act. The Act allows for quick elections
in the event that more than 100 representatives are victims of terrorist attacks or natural disasters. States would have to hold special elections no
more than 49 days after the 49 days after the speaker of the House calls for them during "extraordinary circumstances". It is unclear who would call
for them if the speaks was among the killed.
story.news.yahoo.com
The House on Thursday moved to authorize quick elections to reconstitute the chamber in the event of a natural disaster or terrorist attack in which
more than 100 representatives are killed.
For the second straight year, the House approved the Continuity in Representation Act, which would require states to hold special elections no later
than 49 days after the speaker of the House calls for them during "extraordinary circumstances," when mass casualties among House members would
cripple Congress. But it was left unclear what might happen if the speaker was killed as well.
Now the House, which approved the bill 329-68, has to hope the Senate feels the same sense of urgency to pass the legislation; it took no action on a
similar measure last year. Mass casualties in the Senate are not addressed in the measure because governors typically appoint replacement senators and
set election dates.
Please visit the link provided for the complete story.
Opposing Democrats (albeit few) wanted the representatives to be appointed and not elected. Others have stated that the rapid elections would amount
to sham elections with no validity. However should the Congress be incapacitated, the nation would fall to the control of only one branch as opposed
to the current balance of power that we have. In this case balance could be restored in a timely manner. Its better to have a plan in place than none
at all.
[edit on 3/5/05 by FredT]