special elections -- WASHINGTON BOARD

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Date Posted: 03:41:37 10/03/02 Thu
Author: MJ
Author Host/IP: ip68-102-92-123.ks.ok.cox.net / 68.102.92.123
Subject: special elections

[for discussion and Fair Use]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - House of Representatives members urged the 50 U.S. states Wednesday to review their laws so they can speed up special elections in case of a deadly attack on the Capitol or some other catastrophe.

"This is a grisly topic," said California Republican Chris Cox, a leader of a House group studying an array of presidential and congressional succession issues that became more pertinent to many after the Sept. 11 attacks.

The nonbinding resolution urging state action was passed by a 414-0 vote.

While states have procedures for appointing senators in case of death, resignation or incapacity, the U.S. Constitution requires that vacancies in the House be filled through special elections.

That can take about four months, which is not a major problem if when one or two vacancies occur. But a major attack that kills many lawmakers could cripple the legislative branch of government, or leave a shrunken and skewed Congress of survivors that are not be representative of the country geographically or ideologically.

Last year's hijack attacks left more than 3,000 people dead in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. Several lawmakers said during the debate that the plane that went down in a Pennsylvania field was believed to be heading for the Capitol.

Security was tightened and visitors restricted on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol after the attacks.

"Hopefully we will never need this legislation, but if it is ever needed, it will be one of the most important things we have ever done," said Washington Democrat Brian Baird.

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Replies:

Re: special elections -- Donk, 20:06:29 10/05/02 Sat