Elect, Never Appoint U.S. Representatives
On June 20, 2003, we issued the following alert: "The clock is ticking. A well-orchestrated,
well-financed campaign to quickly amend the Constitution is underway. A proposed
constitutional amendment would take away your right to vote for your U.S. representative. We
can't and won't stand by and let our republic be gutted by this amendment."
This alert was in response to the "Continuity of Government" (COG) report made public on June 4,
2003. The report calls for a constitutional amendment that would allow for the appointment of
members of the U.S. House of Representatives under vaguely defined circumstances. During the
June 4th press conference, COG touted their proposed constitutional amendment and predicted
there would be no opposition to it. In addition, they predicted Congress would pass their proposed
amendment and be ratified by the states within 14 to 18 months. Their predictions were wrong, as
is their proposed constitutional amendment.
On July 23, 2003, The Liberty Committee presented opposition at a briefing for congressional
staff members. Congressmen Ron Paul (R-Texas) and Vic Snyder (D-Arkansas) spoke
persuasively against the COG proposal, as did Charles E. Rice, professor emeritus of Notre Dame Law School.
On July 24, 2003, Representatives Sensenbrenner, Dreier, Miller, Cole, Chabot, and Paul
introduced the Continuity in Representation Act of 2003 (H.R. 2844) as the alternative to the
COG proposal. H.R. 2844 is the practical and proper solution because it requires states to
promptly hold special elections of U.S. House members; not special appointments.
On January 21, 2004, the House Judiciary Committee passed H.R. 2844. The U.S. House will
likely vote on the legislation by February 20, 2004.
Take Action: Urge your U.S. representative to vote "yes" on H.R. 2844. Click here.
http://www.thelibertycommittee.org/hr2844.htm .
Elect, Never Appoint U.S. Representatives
