TheWeekInCongress.com

Week of April 23, 2004

HR 2844 Continuity in Representation Act of 2004

BRIEF

HR 2844 amends federal law requiring that, in the event that the Speaker of the House of Representatives announces that there are more than 100 vacancies, states shall hold special elections within 45 days of the announcement. If an election is already scheduled for 75 days or less after the announcement then the states can wait that long to elect a new legislator.

   State political parties are permitted to nominate a candidate for the election.  Absentee voters have 45 days to return their ballots.

Vote: Passed the House 306 to 97 with 30 members not voting.

Cost to the Taxpayer: No discernible cost.

MORE INFORMATION

The effort comes with Congress’ conclusion that Flight 93, the hijacked airliner that was crashed in Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001 was headed for Washington and may well have crashed into the Capitol Building. Who would represent the people, then, if members of Congress were killed or incapacitated?

   Opposition to the bill centered on allowing 75 days for the special elections rather than 45.## All Rights Reserved. No reproduction in any form without written permission from TheWeekInCongress.com.