WASHINGTON — Yesterday, Subcommittee on Modernization Chair Stephanie Bice (OK-05) and Ranking Member Derek Kilmer (WA-06) held a bipartisan hearing to examine the congressional continuity of the House of Representatives and discuss policy options to ensure such. During the “Continuity of Congress: Preparing for the Future by Learning from the Past” hearing, Chair Bice and Ranking Member Kilmer made the following statements: “When it comes to Congress, we tend to take comfort in the fact that the institution has survived for over 200 years despite a Civil War, two devastating pandemics, the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and countless other threats. It’s easy to assume that if Congress has lasted this long, chances are it will continue to endure,” said Chair Bice. “But as Members of Congress, we have a responsibility to examine and discuss these issues to make sure that we are not leaving things to chance.” “Last year we learned that the U.S. Capitol Police tracked a 300% increase in threats against Members of Congress over the past seven years. The White House and the Senate have continuity plans. They are prepared because the Constitution was twice amended, to ensure governing can continue, if the President or Senators are killed or otherwise die while in office, as much as we pray that doesn’t happen,” said Ranking Member Kilmer. “The U.S. House of Representatives, however, is not prepared. Today we will learn more about how the House would function, if a tragic event of this kind were to happen.” Committee on House Administration Ranking Member Joe Morelle (NY-25) also joined the subcommittee hearing and made this statement: “Ensuring we get continuity right matters for several reasons. First, we need to maintain uninterrupted legislative capacity during times of crisis—especially if Congress needs to pass funding bills, war authorizations, or other emergency legislation to respond. Our Constitution established the balance of power between the three branches of government. If one third of our branches is compromised so is the balance envisioned by our founders. Finally, all American citizens deserve representation in Congress—even in emergency situations.” Ranking Member Kilmer has been working diligently to address how Congress can and should continue its work even during the most unthinkable challenges. During the 117th Congress, the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress also held a hearing called by then-Chairman Kilmer to examine congressional continuity and explore a range of topics. Earlier this year, Kilmer introduced a Constitutional Amendment to ensure congressional continuity and reduce the incentive for political violence along with Congressmen Brad Wenstrup, William Timmons, and Emanuel Cleaver II. Click here to watch Rep. Kilmer ask Rep. Brad Wenstrup, about his thoughts on a constitutional amendment to ensure continuity of Congress as opposed to other policy proposals.
Click here to watch Rep. Kilmer deliver his opening remarks.
Click here to watch Rep. Bice deliver her opening remarks.
Click here to watch Rep. Morelle deliver his opening remarks. Click here to watch the entire Subcommittee hearing. ### | 