House OKs Speedy Elections if Attacked

My Way ^ | Apr 22, 4:33 PM (ET) | JIM ABRAMS

[null and void]

WASHINGTON (AP) - Fearing that terrorists might target Congress, the House on Thursday approved a bill to set up speedy special elections if 100 or more of its members are killed.

The House, in a 306-97 vote, put aside for now the larger issue of whether the Constitution should be amended to allow for temporary appointments in the event that an attack caused mass fatalities among lawmakers.

The House, said Judiciary Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., sponsor of the elections bill and a foe of appointments, "is rooted in democratic principles and those principles must be preserved at all costs."

Thursday's vote came two and a half years after the Sept. 11 attacks and the crash in Pennsylvania of United Flight 93, a plane that many believe was destined for the U.S. Capitol.

"Those passengers gave their lives to give us a second chance," said Rep. Brian Baird, D-Wash., a supporter of the broader constitutional approach. "Eternal shame on us if we do not take action" to protect Congress' survival after a possible attack.

The measure would require special elections within 45 days of the House speaker confirming that a catastrophic event had left at last 100 of the 435 seats vacant. Language was added to ensure that military personnel stationed overseas would have their voting rights protected.

[null and void]

At least they recognize it's personal...

[holyscroller]

"Eternal shame on us if we do not take action" to protect Congress' survival after a possible attack. "

Oh give me a break! Every single congresscritter is easily replaceable (and most should be replaced, although not by violent means). How nice of these guys to worry about their own sorry butts, while leaving our borders wide open so the rest of us are vulnerable to possible attack. How about worrying about the general population instead of just yourselves?

[AZamericonnie]

This needed to be done. It's pretty scary & somewhat surreal however.

[em2vn]

"If someone killed off Congress, half of our nation would convert to Islam out of gratitude."
That is how I think Will Rogers would have put it today. Mark Twain wouldn't have put it much different in his day.

[PA Engineer]

This is a good start. Now lets repeal the 17th Amendment.

[Joe Hadenuf]

Oh give me a break! Every single congresscritter is easily replaceable (and most should be replaced, although not by violent means). How nice of these guys to worry about their own sorry butts, while leaving our borders wide open so the rest of us are vulnerable to possible attack. How about worrying about the general population instead of just yourselves?

Yep....

[Gatún(CraigIsaMangoTreeLawyer)]

100+? No big loss. Weeding out our congress crooks is fine with me.

Sharing a secret with all of you, when 9/11 was in progress, I had just tuned in to FR to learn an aircraft had slammed into the Pentagon. That indeed was truly awful. I had not heard of the WTC yet because I don't turn on the TV the first thing in the monring. I go to my compter first. In that instant though, I jumped up and called my bother and asked him if one had slammed into the Capitol. I was only hoping. Sorry folks, but that is how much I disrespect our congress crooks.

[Gatún(CraigIsaMangoTreeLawyer)]

Sorry. Some grammar errors and a couple of spelling errors got by me. I think it is because the Sandman just came by and dumped a bucket on me. It has been a very long day. At least that is my excuse for now.

[Rebelbase]

"I jumped up and called my bother and asked him if one had slammed into the Capitol. I was only hoping. Sorry folks,"

That is a despicable thought to have hoped for.

[Blue Screen of Death]

The only way 100 of them are going to die at one time is if someone in a trendy, expensive Washington resturant serves bad lobster for lunch.

[MrsEmmaPeel]

This needed to be done. It's pretty scary & somewhat surreal however.

I disagree. By creating this legislation, they create the reality wherein this outcome becomes a possibility. This will become a self-fulfilling prophesy.

[GATOR NAVY]

"Eternal shame on us if we do not take action" to protect Congress' survival after a possible attack."

There's nothing wrong with this statement. He says "after an attack". He's talking about the survival of the institution of Congress, not the individual members.

[txhurl]

Well, to be fair, this provision would also cover Comets, Tsunamis, etc.

[Gatún(CraigIsaMangoTreeLawyer)]

The House, in a 306-97 vote, put aside for now the larger issue of whether the Constitution should be amended to allow for temporary appointments in the event that an attack caused mass fatalities among lawmakers.>[?

The question would be: “Who would name these temporary appointments?” For example, in Panama, a legislature picks his/her substitute (which runs on the same ticket) if that legislature cannot be present. Therefore, what happens is that the numero uno legislature is generally too occupied with his own private business and rarely shows. I believe that money sometimes plays into this. A legislature was shot many years ago because he changed his mind about his substitute at the last minute and picked somebody else. He was shot at a stop light. No great loss. He was Margo Fontaine’s husband, Tito Arias, who was a crook.

[KevinDavis]

I wonder if it would cover a goauld invasion???

[txhurl]

goauld?

[Fester Chugabrew]

Every single congresscritter is easily replaceable . . .

Selected by lottery. Men only. Landowners only. Service mandatory as for jury duty, albeit with income based on current income.

[null and void]

I see. Seat belts cause accidents. It's so clear to me now.

I'm canceling my life insurance. That way, I'll live forever!!!

[P8riot]

The only way 100 of them are going to die at one time is if someone in a trendy, expensive Washington resturant serves bad lobster for lunch.

Or if they ride on a bus driven by Ted Kennedy

[P8riot]

From the article:

Hearings were also scheduled on the issue of incapacitation, or how to define when a member who is still alive is unable to carry out his congressional duties

Or:

How do they know when Ted Kennedy has had too much to drink?