[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 51 (Tuesday, April 20, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H2200-H2201]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               AMENDMENTS

  Under clause 8 of rule XVIII, proposed amendments were submitted as 
follows:

                               H.R. 2844

                 Offered By: Mr. Larson of Connecticut

       Amendment No. 1: In section 26(b)(2) of the Revised 
     Statutes of the United States, as proposed to be added by the 
     bill, strike ``45 days'' and insert ``75 days''.

                               H.R. 2844

                 Offered By: Mr. Larson of Connecticut

       Amendment No. 2: In section 26(b) of the Revised Statutes 
     of the United States, as proposed to be added by the bill, 
     add at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(5) Extension of deadline to permit states to hold 
     primaries.--If State law provides that the candidates for a 
     special general election held under this subsection are to be 
     selected in a primary election, the State may extend the 
     deadlines referred to in paragraphs (2) and (3) to take into 
     account the period provided under State law for holding such 
     a primary election, including any runoff election resulting 
     from such a primary election.''.

                               H.R. 2844

                 Offered By: Mr. Larson of Connecticut

       Amendment No. 3: Amend paragraph (3) of section 26(b) of 
     the Revised Statutes of the United States, as proposed to be 
     added by the bill, to read as follows:

       ``(3) Eligibility of candidates.--
       ``(A) In general.--A candidate shall be eligible to run in 
     a special election held in a State under this subsection if 
     the candidate meets such requirements as may apply under 
     State law.
       ``(B) Extension of deadline for election.--A State may 
     extend the deadline provided under paragraph (2) for a 
     special election to the extent the State considers necessary 
     to prepare balloting materials and distribute absentee 
     ballots which include the names of all eligible candidates, 
     and to otherwise ensure that all eligible candidates are 
     given sufficient time to prepare for and participate in the 
     election.''.

                               H.R. 2844

                 Offered By: Mr. Larson of Connecticut

       Amendment No. 4: In section 26(b) of the Revised Statutes 
     of the United States, as proposed to be added by the bill, 
     add at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(5) Rule of construction regarding federal election 
     laws.--Nothing in this subsection may be construed to affect 
     the application to special elections under this subsection of 
     any of the following laws:
       ``(A) The Voting Rights Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 1973 et 
     seq.).
       ``(B) The Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and 
     Handicapped Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ee et seq.).
       ``(C) The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting 
     Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ff et seq.).
       ``(D) The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (42 
     U.S.C. 1973gg et seq.).
       ``(E) The Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 
     U.S.C. 12101 et seq.).
       ``(F) The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 701 et 
     seq.).
       ``(G) The Help America Vote Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 15301 et 
     seq.).''.

                               H.R. 2844

                 Offered By: Mr. Larson of Connecticut

       Amendment No. 5: Add at the end the following new section:

     SEC. 3. DESIGNATION OF MEMBERS AGREEING TO BE ABSENT FROM 
                   JOINT SESSIONS AND JOINT MEETINGS.

       (a) Designation.--For each of the events referred to in 
     subsection (b), the Speaker and

[[Page H2201]]

     the minority leader of the House of Representatives shall 
     each designate 25 Members who will agree not to be present at 
     the event.
       (b) Events Described.--The events referred to in this 
     subsection are as follows:
       (1) Any joint session of the 2 Houses of Congress held for 
     purposes of receiving a communication from the President, 
     counting the votes of electors for the President and Vice 
     President, or any other purpose.
       (2) Any joint meeting of the 2 Houses of Congress held for 
     purposes of receiving addresses from foreign dignitaries or 
     any other purpose.
       (3) The inauguration of the President and Vice President.
       (4) Any other event for which the Speaker and minority 
     leader determine that the designation of Members pursuant to 
     this section will promote the continuity of the operations of 
     the House in case extraordinary circumstances occur.