Posted on 01/10/2005 3:35:48 AM PST by kattracks
WASHINGTON - With no fanfare, the U.S. House has passed a controversial doomsday provision that would allow a handful of lawmakers to run Congress if a terrorist attack or major disaster killed or incapacitated large numbers of congressmen.
``I think (the new rule) is terrible in a whole host of ways - first, I think it's unconstitutional,'' said Norm Ornstein, a counselor to the independent Continuity of Government Commission, a bipartisan panel created to study the issue. ``It's a very foolish thing to do, I believe, and the way in which it was done was more foolish.'' But supporters say the rule provides a stopgap measure to allow the government to continue functioning at a time of national crisis.
GOP House leaders pushed the provision as part of a larger rules package that drew attention instead for its proposed ethics changes, most of which were dropped.
Usually, 218 lawmakers - a majority of the 435 members of Congress - are required to conduct House business, such as passing laws or declaring war.
But under the new rule, a majority of living congressmen no longer will be needed to do business under ``catastrophic circumstances.''
Instead, a majority of the congressmen able to show up at the House would be enough to conduct business, conceivably a dozen lawmakers or less.
The House speaker would announce the number after a report by the House Sergeant at Arms. Any lawmaker unable to make it to the chamber would effectively not be counted as a congressman.
The circumstances include ``natural disaster, attack, contagion or similar calamity rendering Representatives incapable of attending the proceedings of the House.''
The House could be run by a small number of lawmakers for months, because House vacancies must be filled by special elections. Governors can make temporary appointments to the Senate.
Rep. Brian Baird (D-Wash.), one of few lawmakers active on the issue, argued the rule change contradicts the U.S. Constitution, which states that ``a majority of each (House) shall constitute a quorum to do business.
``Changing what constitutes a quorum in this way would allow less than a dozen lawmakers to declare war on another nation,'' Baird said.
So if the guard at the gate says ... no , you can't come in .
Does that mean that they are "unable to attend"?
...I think we just slipped off the slope ...
bump
PING
I guess the only thing you got wrong was who the bad guys would be - Just like only Nixon could go to China; only so called conservative Republicans can put an end to constitutional govt.
Thanks Destro. I'm breaking my "no posting on FR until I finish Domestic Enemies" pledge, but only this one time.
In EFAD, I don't really get into which party President Gilmore belongs to. He really could be from either party, depending on circumstances.
Matt
Remember in mafia circles your killer comes to you with your friend and ally, smiling all the way until you turn your back and they stick an icepick in the back of your head.
I have no doubt of it.
When a husband or
wife is discovered murdered,
first suspect's the spouse . . .
This is a clear violation of the Constitution. The President already has the authority in times of national emergency to administer government agencies to deal with any exegency which may arise. This removes from the people the right of self governance as a republic. I have heard not 1 sound that such rules changes were pending a vote. The very manner in which these changes were passed makes the shinanigans with Specter look tame. I wonder what some would say if this were to happen when Hillary becomes president, Lord forbid. This text out of context is pretext. Everyone ask why? WHY? WHY IS THIS NECESSARY? Is it as simple as planning for an emergency. Why don't they plan on fixing all of the things Congress has screwed up before they creat another cluster....?
Would ``catastrophic circumstances'' include a playoff game involving the Washington Redskins?
Travis, no reply requested - go finish your book - just pinging.
yeah, like a ping isn't anything at all like catnip!
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