01 — The Text
What.
- Proposes a constitutional amendment allowing temporary House members to fill vacancies without waiting for special elections.
- Would speed up the process of restoring full representation when seats become empty.
- Currently, House vacancies can take months to fill through special election procedures.
02 — The Stakes
So what?
- States with vacant House seats would have representation sooner, avoiding legislative gaps.
- Congress could operate at full strength during emergencies or mass departures.
- Constitutional amendments require 2/3 approval in both chambers and ratification by 3/4 of states — an intentionally high bar.
03 — The Path
Now what?
- Bill introduced July 2, 2026, and referred to House Judiciary Committee. Detailed analysis pending once CRS publishes full summary.
- Amendment path is steep: needs 290+ House votes, 67+ Senate votes, and 38 state legislatures — rarely succeeds.
- Contact your representative if you want their position on temporary House replacements versus current special election rules.
Legislative History
Actions.
- Jul 2, 2026 — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Jul 2, 2026 — Introduced in House
- Jul 2, 2026 — Introduced in House