Continuity of Congress: Previous Efforts

From the late 1940s to the early 1960s, with the threat of nuclear war, there was a significant effort in Congress to pass a constitutional amendment to give governors the power to make temporary appointments to fill vacancies in the House of Representatives. More than thirty constitutional amendments were proposed; hearings were held, and three times the Senate passed such an amendment by overwhelming margins. There were similar proposals in the House and hearings held, but the full body did not vote on any amendment.

For more detailed information, consult former Senate legal counsel Michael Davidson's history of these efforts and a Congressional Research Service Report by Sula Richardson (RS21068 House Vacancies: Proposed Constitutional Amendments for Filling Them Due to National Emergencies).