Cox proposes election plan for the times

Paul Clinton

Preparing for the worst, Rep. Chris Cox proposed a bill in the

House of Representatives on Thursday that would streamline

Congressional special elections in the event that a large number of

current members are killed in a terrorist attack.

“In such a case, it would be essential that the House be quickly

replenished to ensure that it can meet its constitutional obligations

in a time of crisis,” Cox said in a statement.

Cox, who represents Newport Beach, jointly sponsored the bill with

Rep. Martin Frost (D-Texas), signaling that it has bipartisan

support.

The legislation, known as House Resolution 559, would expedite a

special election for any vacant seat. The bill allows governors and

state legislators to examine and, if necessary, change election laws,

so that House vacancies could be filled quickly.

Officials in each state schedule special elections for vacant

House seats. Some schedule an election in 90 days; others can take up

to six months to fill a vacancy. In its election laws, California

uses the 90-day standard.

By contrast, vacant seats in the Senate are filled by appointment

from the state’s governor.

Congress’ lower house needs to be full during a crisis, Frost

said.

“I cannot imagine a more important time for the American public to

have secure representation in Congress than in a time of national

emergency,” Frost said. “This is a sensible, bipartisan bill that I

believe should pass overwhelmingly.”

Frost, the chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, and Cox, the

fifth-highest ranking member of the House and chairman of the

influential Policy Committee, began considering the proposal in May.

At that time, Cox and Frost began co-chairing a working group to

develop the proposal.

Cox said the change is also needed to restore legitimacy to the

body, if Congress were to be reduced to a small number of members.

“Even though the Senate would be able to quickly replenish its

membership, the Senate would nonetheless be stymied without a fully

functioning House,” Cox said. “It’s critical that the American people

as well as our enemies know that this great institution can never be

destroyed or prevented from fulfilling its critical function.”

As of Thursday, the bill had 102 co-sponsors. It is expected to be

considered on the House floor next week.

* PAUL CLINTON covers the environment and politics. He may be

reached at (949) 764-4330 or by e-mail at paul.clinton@latimes.com.