House schedule for 3/3/05 -

[paineinthearse]

democraticwhip.house.gov · [phone]

THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2005

10:00 a.m.: Legislative Business

Ten "One Minutes" Per Side 2:00 p.m.

FLOOR SCHEDULE AND BILL SUMMARY


H.R. 841 - To require States to hold special elections to fill vacancies in the House of Representatives not later than 45 days after the vacancy is announced by the Speaker of the House of Representatives in extraordinary circumstances (Rep. Sensenbrenner - House Administration) (Subject to a Rule). This bill provides for the expedited special election of new Members of Congress to fill seats left vacant in "extraordinary circumstances." "Extraordinary circumstances" occur when the Speaker announces that vacancies in the representation from the States in the House exceed 100. Under this bill, when such "extraordinary circumstances" occur, a special election must be called within 45 days, unless a regularly scheduled general election for the office involved is to be held within 75 days. Within 10 days of such an announcement by the Speaker, the political parties of the State that are authorized to nominate candidates by State law may each nominate one candidate to run in the election. This bill also requires that absentee ballots are sent out no later than 15 days after the Speaker has announced that the vacancies exist.

The Rules Committee has recommended a rule that provides one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit with or without instructions. The rule also makes in order two amendments:

Ø Millender-McDonald Amendment (30 minutes). This amendment replaces the bill's 45 day overall time limit for conducting expedited special elections with a 60 day overall time limit.

Ø Jackson-Lee (10 minutes). This amendment affects the time in which a person may file a lawsuit arising out of the Speaker's announcement of vacancies in excess of 100 by expanding the ability of an aggrieved party to file suit for either declaratory or injunctive relief from two days to five days. This amendment also extends the right to appeal initial decisions on the 45 day special election and expands who can intervene in the lawsuits from the executive authority of the state to any citizen or group of citizens.


TOMORROW'S OUTLOOK

The GOP Leadership has announced the following schedule: on Friday, no votes are expected.

"So far, the Bush administration has made a hash of its campaign. It's almost like we're afraid to lay out the facts and trust the American people. If they won't reveal details, it tells you that they don't have the campaign together."

- Lawrence A. Hunter, chief economist of Empower America, an ally of President Bush on Social Security reform, in the Washington Times today

[paineinthearse]

1. Alcee Hastings is floor managing H.R. 841

Basicly saying the bill is unconstitutional, such changes should be made by an amendment to the Constitution.

Besides, there is no provision to trigger the "emergency" call if the Speaker is a victim. DUH!!!!!!

Alcee - :yourock:

[paineinthearse]

2. I hope members have been following this

Our liberties are melting away as the icicles on my roof.

[trudyco]

3. I have no clue what this means - anybody explain -nt

[Daphne08]

4. This is a dumb question, but couldn't this

technically lead to a coup d'etat?