H.J.Res. 26: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to Congressional succession.

112th Congress · introduced 2011-02-11 · Congress · Latest: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2011-02-11 · official record
Who proposed it: Rep. Rohrabacher, Dana [R-CA-46] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
Where it stands now: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to Congressional succession.

Plain summary

Constitutional Amendment - Requires the election of an Alternate Representative along with a Representative, selected by him or her, as well as an Alternate Senator along with a Senator, selected by the latter. Provides that upon the death, resignation, expulsion, failure to qualify, or inability to discharge the appropriate powers and duties of a person elected as Representative or Senator, such duties and powers shall be discharged by his or her designated successor as Acting Representative or Acting Senator until the Representative-elect or Senator-elect qualifies or a new Representative or Senator is elected. Authorizes each chamber, in the absence of a quorum for three days or more, to declare all of its members who have not recorded their presence during such period to be unable to discharge the powers and duties of their offices. Requires such powers and duties, in that circumstance, to be discharged by the member's Alternate until such member records his or her presence.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to Congressional succession.

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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The strongest published arguments

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Rohrabacher, Dana [R-CA-46] · 0 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (3)

Appropriation: Money a legislature sets aside by law for a specific purpose. Government agencies may spend public money only as it has been appropriated.
Constitutional amendment: A change to a constitution. In Texas the Legislature proposes an amendment with a joint resolution passed by two-thirds of the members of each chamber. It takes effect only if a majority of the people voting on it approve it. In Florida, an amendment needs at least 60% of the votes cast on it to pass.
Quorum: The minimum number of members who must be present for a body to do official business.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-112hjres26.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/112/hjres>

Record fed-us-cong112-hjres26 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong112 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong112