Susan Collins: “today, this House passed important legislation that will help ensure elected representation in the House of…”

“today, this House passed important legislation that will help ensure elected representation in the House of Representatives in the event that there is a tragic and catastrophic loss of life amongst the membership of this body. It is important that, should such a tragedy occur, that the people's House remain a body of elected officials, and H.R. 2844 would protect this character of the House of Representatives. H.R. 2844 would ensure that, in the event of a national tragedy and an extraordinary loss of life in this House, our government would continue to operate in a timely and effective manner that upholds the rights and ideals afforded to every American in our Constitution. Had I not had a previous commitment in my home State of Georgia, I would have voted ``no'' on rollcall Vote No. 129, a vote on amendment No. 2 offered by Mr. Larson of Connecticut to H.R. 2844; and I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall Vote No. 130, a vote on passage for H.R. 2844, the Continuity in Representation Act of 2004.”