Session: State Capitol, Room 108 Juneau, AK 99801-1182 Phone: (907) 465-3878 Fax: (907) 465-3265 Interim: 600 E. Railroad Ave., Suite 1 Wasilla, AK 99654 Phone: (907) 376-4866 Fax: (907) 373-4724

Ogan Seeks Succession Amendment
HJR 31 Would Keep Congress Going Despite Terrorist Attack

(JUNEAU) - The risk of devastating terrorist attacks on federal legislators has prompted state Rep. Scott Ogan (R-Palmer) to call for a constitutional amendment establishing flexible procedures to keep the legislative branch of government operating should a majority of congressmen be unable to serve.

"On Sept. 11 the reality that a majority of U.S. lawmakers could be injured or killed in a single attack hit home," said Ogan. "While the U.S. Constitution empowers governors to appoint interim replacement for seated senators, the Founding Fathers never envisioned the devastation of weapons of mass destruction. The U.S. Constitution is silent as to a process to ensure the legislative branch is still functional in case of a national emergency."

Ogan yesterday introduced House Joint Resolution 31 in the Alaska State Legislature, calling on the U.S. Congress to start the process of amending the U.S. Constitution to provide for such emergency succession. The resolution asks Congress to amend the U.S. Constitution to establish a process of interim legislative power should a majority of congressman be killed or incapacitated.

"An amendment to the U.S. Constitution must be passed by two-thirds majorities in the House and Senate, and then must be ratified by two-thirds of the states, or 35 states, within seven years," said Ogan. Over his legislative career, Ogan has made a detailed study of both the U.S. Constitution and the minutes of the Constitutional Convention.

"It is extremely regrettable that we even have to consider such contingencies, but one of the best responses to terrorist threats is to guarantee the continued operation of the system of representative democracy that apparently arouses such enmity and hatred elsewhere in the world."

HJR 31 was referred to the House Special Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs.

# # #

Attachments:

• Print Friendly Version
  requires Adobe Acrobat Reader - 1 page(s) - 20 K

| Rep. Ogan's Page |

| Top | Home | Site Search | Breaking News | Legislators | Bills |
| Committees | E-Newsletter | Surveys | Research | Help |

The Official Web Site of the House and Senate Legislative Majorities
for the 22nd Alaska State Legislature
To Report Technical Problems or Contact Webmasters