[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 17 (Wednesday, February 16, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E259]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                CONTINUITY IN REPRESENTATION ACT OF 2005

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DAVID DREIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 16, 2005

  Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, today we are addressing another important 
Issue for the Continuity of Congress by introducing the Continuity in 
Representation Act of 2005. This is an important part of our efforts 
since the 107th Congress to assure the American people that their 
democracy will continue in the face of any attack or any catastrophe.
  The service of our men and women in uniform to protect our democracy 
is exemplary, and we honor them. But police and military alone will not 
protect this institution. We, the elected representatives, also must 
act to protect the House.
  At the start of this Congress, we acted by adopting a House rule to 
help us function if we have mass incapacitations.
  I know there are a few who still wonder whether we need to amend the 
Constitution to deal with mass incapacitation.
  As I announced on January 4th, the Rules Committee will be vigorously 
considering continuity issues throughout the 109th Congress. We may 
ultimately decide that more action on mass incapacitation is needed. In 
the meantime, we have already put into place a procedure that will 
ensure that this body will be able to function if there have been mass 
incapacitations of Members due to a catastrophe.
  Today, we are acting by re-introducing a bill to deal with mass 
vacancies--created when large numbers of Members are killed.
  Last year, after considering how to deal with mass vacancies in the 
various committees, we passed the exact same bill that we are 
introducing today. The House adopted last year's bill with a large, 
bipartisan majority of 306 votes.
  This bill, the Continuity in Representation Act of 2005, protects the 
``People's House.'' It fits the Founders' vision of America--a House 
directly elected by the people and a Senate answerable to the states. 
And though we've done away with the old system of state legislatures 
electing Senators, we maintain that historic connection to the states 
by allowing for governors to fill vacant Senate seats in times of 
death.
  Mr. Speaker, James Madison, a Founding Father and former Member of 
the Rules Committee, addressed the importance of an elected House when 
he said ``The right of suffrage is certainly one of the fundamental 
articles of [democratic Government] . . . A gradual abridgement of this 
right has been the mode in which Aristocracies have been built on the 
ruins of popular forms.''
  In short, James Madison valued an elected House of Representatives, 
and so do we. This bill guarantees that the House will always be, as it 
always has, a body composed only of elected Members.
  The Continuity in Representation Act provides that if more than 100 
Members are killed, the Speaker can announce that extraordinary 
circumstance and trigger a uniform, 45-day special election to replace 
Members in affected districts.
  Some have been concerned about the 45-day period for special 
elections. Not too long ago, I had the opportunity to assist in a major 
statewide election in California.
  It saw a field of 135 candidates running to represent over 34 million 
people. That election went off without a hitch in just 55 days. Poll 
workers, polling places, and ballots all came together, and voter 
turnout was very high. Given the smaller scope of congressional 
district elections, 45 days is certainly enough time.
  Mr. Speaker, we need to act now. We need to ensure that we are doing 
our part to protect our democracy. We need to pass the Continuity in 
Representation Act of 2005.

                          ____________________