Continuity in Representation Act of 2005
Latest action · Mar 19, 2005 Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 61.
Progress
Where this bill reached, and when. A stage with no date was not reached; one that failed a vote and later carried shows the date it carried.
- IntroducedFeb 16, 2005
- Passed HouseMar 3, 2005
- Passed SenateNot reached
- To the PresidentNot reached
- Became lawNot reached
Summary
Continuity in Representation Act of 2005 - (Sec. 2) Amends Federal law concerning the election of Senators and Representatives to require States to hold special elections for the House of Representatives within 49 days after a vacancy is announced by the Speaker of the House in the extraordinary circumstance that vacancies in representation from the States exceed 100. Waives the 49-day requirement if, during the 75-day period beginning on the date of the vacancy announcement, a regularly scheduled general election or another special election for the office involved is to be held.
Requires determination of the candidates who will run in the special election: (1) not later than ten days after the vacancy announcement by the political parties authorized by State law to nominate candidates; or (2) by any other method the State considers appropriate.
Sets forth requirements for judicial review of any action brought for declaratory or injunctive relief to challenge such a vacancy announcement. Requires a final decision within three days of the filing of such an action. Makes a final decision non-reviewable.
Requires a State, in conducting a special election under this Act, to ensure to the greatest extent practicable (including through the use of electronic means) that absentee ballots are transmitted to absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters not later than 15 days after the Speaker of the House announces that the vacancy exists. Requires a State to accept and process any otherwise valid ballot or other election material from an absent uniformed services voter or an overseas voter, as long as the ballot or other material is received by the appropriate State election official not later than 45 days after the State transmits it to the voter.
Applies this Act to the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Recorded votes 4
Newest first. Open one to see how every member voted.
| Roll call | Question | Result | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| House 52 | On Passage | Passed329–68 | Mar 3, 2005 |
| House 51 | On Motion to Recommit with Instructions | Failed196–223 | Mar 3, 2005 |
| House 50 | On Agreeing to the Amendment | Failed183–239 | Mar 3, 2005 |
| House 49 | On Agreeing to the Amendment | Failed192–229 | Mar 3, 2005 |
Cosponsors 6
Members who signed on, in the order they did. All signed on Feb 16, 2005.
| Seat | Cosponsor | Signed on | |
|---|---|---|---|
| R-MI | Candice S. Miller | Original | Feb 16, 2005 |
| R-CA | David Dreier | Original | Feb 16, 2005 |
| R-TX | Ron Paul | Original | Feb 16, 2005 |
| R-MD | Roscoe G. Bartlett | Original | Feb 16, 2005 |
| R-OH | Steve Chabot | Original | Feb 16, 2005 |
| R-OK | Tom Cole | Original | Feb 16, 2005 |
Committees 2
Where it was sent and what each committee and subcommittee did with it, in order.
| Chamber | Committee | What it did |
|---|---|---|
| House | Committee on House Administration | Referred Feb 16, 2005Markup Feb 17, 2005Reported Feb 24, 2005 |
| House | Judiciary Committee | Referred Feb 24, 2005Discharged Feb 24, 2005 |
Actions 41
Everything that happened, newest first.
- Mar 19, 2005Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 61.
- Mar 17, 2005Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
- Mar 8, 2005Received in the Senate.
- Mar 3, 2005Rule H. Res. 125 passed House.
- Mar 3, 2005Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 125. (consideration: CR H953-970; text of measure as reported in House: CR H959)
- Mar 3, 2005Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 841 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order.
- Mar 3, 2005House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 125 and Rule XVIII.
- Mar 3, 2005The Speaker designated the Honorable Steven C. LaTourette to act as Chairman of the Committee.
- Mar 3, 2005GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with 60 minutes of general debate on H.R. 841.
- Mar 3, 2005DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 125, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Ney amendment.
- Mar 3, 2005DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 125, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 15 minutes of debate on the Millender-McDonald amendment.
- Mar 3, 2005POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Millender-McDonald amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Millender-McDonald demanded a recorded vote and pursuant to the rule, further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment were postponed until later in the legislative day.
- Mar 3, 2005DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 125, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jackson-Lee (TX) amendment.
- Mar 3, 2005POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Jackson-Lee (TX) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Jackson-Lee (TX) demanded a recorded vote and pursuant to the rule, further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment were postponed until later in the legislative day.
- Mar 3, 2005UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
- Mar 3, 2005Mr. Baird moved to strike the enacting clause.
- Mar 3, 2005Floor summary: DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the motion to strike the enacting clause.
- Mar 3, 2005Motion to strike the enacting clause withdrawn.
- Mar 3, 2005The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 841.
- Mar 3, 2005The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
- Mar 3, 2005The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
- Mar 3, 2005Mr. Conyers moved to recommit with instructions to House Administration. (consideration: CR H967-969)
- Mar 3, 2005DEBATE - The House proceeded with ten minutes of debate on the Conyers motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment which adds a new paragraph with provisions for minimum required voting systems and poll workers in polling places used in special elections.
- Mar 3, 2005The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
- Mar 3, 2005On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 196 - 223 (Roll no. 51).
- Mar 3, 2005On passage. Passed by voice vote.
- Mar 3, 2005Motion to reconsider laid on the table without objection.
- Mar 3, 2005PROCEEDINGS VACATED - By unanimous consent, the proceedings by which the motion to reconsider was laid on the table were vacated and the Chair restated the question on adoption of the bill. Subsequently, Ms. Millender-McDonald demanded a recorded vote on the question of passage of the bill.
- Mar 3, 2005Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 329 - 68 (Roll no. 52).
- Mar 3, 2005Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Mar 3, 2005The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
- Mar 1, 2005Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 125 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 841 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order.
- Feb 24, 2005Reported (Amended) by the Committee on 109-8, Part I.
- Feb 24, 2005Referred sequentially to the House Committee on the Judiciary for a period ending not later than Feb. 24, 2005.
- Feb 24, 2005Committee on Judiciary discharged.
- Feb 24, 2005Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 3.
- Feb 17, 2005Mr. Ney asked unanimous consent that the Committee on House Administration have until midnight on Feb. 24 to file a report on H.R. 841. Agreed to without objection.
- Feb 17, 2005Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
- Feb 17, 2005Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
- Feb 16, 2005Introduced in House
- Feb 16, 2005Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
In the Congressional Record 4
Days the Record’s own index lists this bill, newest first, with the pages and the members it names. Pages starting H are the House, S the Senate, E Extensions of Remarks.
| Where | In the Record | Members | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senate | Debate and remarks S3095 | William H. Frist R-TN | Mar 19, 2005 |
| Senate | Debate and remarks S3086 | William H. Frist R-TN | Mar 17, 2005 |
| House | Debate and remarks H948–H953, H953–H971Text printed H948, H959Amendments H953, H959, H960, H961, H964Motions H967, H968Recorded votes H965, H966, H969, H970Conyers motion to recommit (require States to provide minimum required number of voting systems and poll workers in polling places used in special elections)enactJackson Lee amendment (enhance ability to file lawsuits and appeals to resolve issues caused by a large number of vacant seats and the special elections to fill such seats)Millender-McDonald amendment (require States to hold special elections to fill vacancies in the House not later than 60 days) | Alcee L. Hastings D-FL, Barney Frank D-MA, Brian Baird D-WA (motion), Candice S. Miller R-MI, Dana Rohrabacher R-CA, David Dreier R-CA, F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr. R-WI, J. Dennis Hastert R-IL, James R. Langevin D-RI, John Conyers, Jr. D-MI (motion), Juanita Millender-McDonald D-CA (amendment), Maxine Waters D-CA, Robert W. Ney R-OH (amendment), Ron Paul R-TX, Sheila Jackson Lee D-TX (amendment), Sherrod Brown D-OH, Tom Cole R-OK (amendment), Zoe Lofgren D-CA | Mar 3, 2005 |
| Extensions | Debate and remarks E250, E259 | David Dreier R-CA, F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr. R-WI | Feb 16, 2005 |
Research
What has been written about this bill: committee reports, cost estimates, the sponsor’s authority statement, printed hearings and the Congressional Research Service’s work.
Committee report
Congressional Budget Office cost estimates 2
- Feb 24, 2005H.R. 841, Continuity in Representation Act of 2005<p>Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the Committee on House Administration on February 17, 2005</p>
- Feb 24, 2005H.R. 841, Continuity in Representation Act of 2005Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the Committee on House Administration on February 17, 2005
Printed hearings 1
Hearings whose printed record names this bill, newest first: hearings on it, and wider hearings where it came up.
| Number | Hearing | Committee | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| — | MARKUP OF CONTINUITY OF GOVERNMENT LEGISLATION37 pages | Committee on House Administration | Feb 17, 2005 |
CRS reports 2
Congressional Research Service work that CRS links to this bill or the law it became, newest first.
Cite it 2
Products on other subjects that cite it, usually among other measures.
| Product | Title | Kind | Published |
|---|---|---|---|
| RL33610 | A Retrospective of House Rules Changes Since the 104th Congress through the 109th Congress Archived | Report | Mar 8, 2012 |
| RL32819 | Legislative Branch: FY2006 Appropriations Archived | Report | Aug 30, 2005 |
Amendments 3
Amendments offered to this bill.
| Amendment | Description | Offered by | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| HAmdt 17 | An amendment made in order by H. Res. 125 to extend the time-frame for holding expedited special elections from 45 days to 49 days. | Robert W. Ney R-OH | On agreeing to the Ney amendment (A001) Agreed to by voice vote. |
| HAmdt 18 | An amendment made in order by H. Res. 125 and in lieu of the amendment numbered 1 printed in House Report 109-10. The amendment inserts text providing that expedited special elections shall take place not later than 60 days after the Speaker of the House of Representatives announces that such vacancies exist. | Juanita Millender-McDonald D-CA | On agreeing to the Millender-McDonald amendment (A002) Failed by recorded vote: 192 - 229 (Roll no. 49). |
| HAmdt 19 | An amendment numbered 2 printed in House Report 109-10. | Sheila Jackson Lee D-TX | On agreeing to the Jackson-Lee (TX) amendment (A003) Failed by recorded vote: 183 - 239 (Roll no. 50). |
Related bills 1
Companion bills and other measures the record links to this one.
Titles 6
Every title it has carried, official and short, at each stage.
- Official Title as Introduced
- 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, and for other purposes.
- Official Titles as Amended by House
- To require States to hold special elections to fill vacancies in the House of Representatives not later than 49 days after the vacancy is announced by the Speaker of the House of Representatives in extraordinary circumstances.
- Short Titles as Introduced
- Continuity in Representation Act of 2005
- Short Titles as Reported to House
- Continuity in Representation Act of 2005
- Short Titles as Passed House
- Continuity in Representation Act of 2005
- Popular Titles
- Special Elections/Appointments Provisions bill
Subjects
Assigned by the Library of Congress. Policy area: Congress.
- Absentee voting
- Americans in foreign countries
- Armed forces abroad
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Ballots
- Civil actions and liability
- Congress
- Congressional elections
- Election candidates
- Government Operations and Politics
- House of Representatives
- Injunctions
- Judicial review
- Law
- Members of Congress
- Parties to actions
- Political parties
- Soldier voting
- Special elections
- State laws
Text 4
Each version as it was printed, newest first.
- Mar 19, 2005Placed on Calendar Senate
- Mar 3, 2005Engrossed in House
- Feb 24, 2005Reported in House
- Feb 16, 2005Introduced in House
Everything here is as published by Congress: the summary is the Congressional Research Service's, the action wording is the clerks', and the subjects are the Library of Congress's. How far it got is read from the actions themselves, taking the most recent one of each kind, so a bill that failed a vote and later passed is shown as having passed. Records come from this bill on Congress.gov and govinfo.gov; cost estimates are the Congressional Budget Office's, and the hearings are the printed hearings GovInfo publishes, which can appear months after the hearing.