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119-hjres-199119th Congress

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to temporarily fill vacancies in the House of Representatives to further the continuity of Congress.

Sponsored By: Representative Timmons, William R. [R-SC-4]

Introduced

Summary

Fills House vacancies quickly with predesignated temporary replacements. It would require every Representative, immediately after taking the oath, to provide a list of at least five qualified designees. If a Representative dies, the state's chief executive would pick a designee from the most recent list within 10 days and the Speaker would immediately seat that person to serve until a special election picks a new Member.

Show full summary
  • Constituents: Districts would have an interim voting Representative seated right away, so they keep representation in the House until a special election.
  • Representatives: Each Member would need to keep a current list of at least five people who meet the constitutional qualifications to serve as temporary designees.
  • State chief executives: The governor or equivalent would have a 10-day deadline to choose a designee from the Representative's most recent list.
  • House operations: The selected designee would be treated as a full Representative for all laws, rules, and regulations while serving.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Faster temporary House replacements

If ratified by three-fourths of the States within seven years, this would create a temporary process to fill House seats when a Representative dies. New Representatives would need to give the House a list of at least five qualified designees right after taking the oath. If a Representative dies, the State chief executive would have up to 10 days to pick someone from that most recent list, and the Speaker would immediately seat that designee until a special election fills the seat. A seated designee would have all the rights and duties of a Representative and would also have to give their own list; if that designee dies, the State chief executive would pick from the designee's most recent list.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Timmons, William R. [R-SC-4]

SC • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5]

    MO • D

    Sponsored 7/2/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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