[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 53 (Thursday, April 22, 2004)]
[House]
[Page H2301]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   MAKING IN ORDER AMENDMENT IN LIEU OF AMENDMENT 3 PRINTED IN HOUSE 
    REPORT 108-466 DURING CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 2844, CONTINUITY IN 
                       REPRESENTATION ACT OF 2004

  Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker I ask unanimous consent that 
during consideration of H.R. 2844, pursuant to House Resolution 602, 
the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by 
the Committee on the Judiciary be considered as the original bill for 
the purpose of amendment, and the amendment I have placed at the desk 
be in order in lieu of the amendment printed in part B of House Report 
108-466 and numbered 3.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will report the amendment.
  The Clerk read as follows:

       An amendment offered in lieu of amendment No. 3 printed in 
     House Report No. 108-466 offered by Mr. Skelton of Missouri: 
     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) Protecting ability of absent military and overseas 
     voters to participate in special elections.--
       ``(A) Deadline for transmittal of absentee ballots.--In 
     conducting a special election held under this subsection to 
     fill a vacancy in its representation, the State shall ensure 
     to the greatest extent practicable (including through the use 
     of electronic means) that absentee ballots for the election 
     are transmitted to absent uniformed services voters and 
     overseas voters (as such terms are defined in the Uniformed 
     and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act) not later than 15 
     days after the Speaker of the House of Representatives 
     announces that the vacancy exists.
       ``(B) Period for ballot transit time.--Notwithstanding the 
     deadlines referred to in paragraphs (2) and (3), in the case 
     of an individual who is an absent uniformed services voter or 
     an overseas voter (as such terms are defined in the Uniformed 
     and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act), a State shall 
     accept and process any otherwise valid ballot or other 
     election material from the voter so long as the ballot or 
     other material is received by the appropriate State election 
     official not later than 45 days after the State transmits the 
     ballot or other material to the voter.''.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Washington (during the reading). Mr. Speaker, I ask 
unanimous consent that the amendment be considered read and printed in 
the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Washington?
  There was no objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the original request 
of the gentleman from Washington?
  There was no objection.

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