The September 11th attacks remind us of the frailty of human life.  On that day, the heroic passengers wrestled control of the United Flight 93 away from the terrorists.  The aircraft, which is thought to have been heading toward Washington, D.C., would have wreaked unknown havoc on our institutions of government had it arrived at its planned destination.  With the consequences of a catastrophic attack such as that in mind, the House was compelled to address the issue of congressional continuity in a manner that preserves the integrity of the House, and protects the right of the people to elect individuals of their choice to represent them in Congress.
 
Last April I joined a bipartisan majority of my House colleagues to pass House Resolution 2844, the Continuity in Representation Act.  This legislation, introduced by Judiciary Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner (R-WI), requires states to hold expedited special elections within 45 days of a catastrophic event that leaves 100 or more Members unable to fulfill their congressional duties.  The bill has been forwarded to the Senate for final congressional approval.

The immediate scheduling of special elections remains the best choice to continue the American tradition of electing representatives chosen directly by the people.  Several alternatives have been suggested, calling for the immediate replacement of Members of the House, by appointment, in the aftermath of a catastrophic event.  These alternatives, which would have required amending the Constitution, were rejected by the House.

Our Republic has weathered many grave challenges during its history.  During the War of 1812, the British invaded and set fire to the city of Washington; throughout the Civil War, our nation’s capital faced the immediate threat of a large, hostile army at its doorstep, bent on destroying the government and, during the Second World War America faced the enormous task of defending the homeland on two fronts.  Yet, despite these challenges, no one suggested that our form of government should be restructured to allow non-elected persons to serve in the House.

The best proposals would never take away the right of the people to select their own representation in the federal government.  Passage of the Continuity in Representation Act reaffirms Congress’ mandate under Article I of the Constitution, and upholds the vision of our Founding Fathers that the House of Representatives should remain, as it has for over 215 years, “the People’s House.”