In the News: Opinion Pieces

After September 11th, Norman Ornstein writing in Roll Call, described the dangers of a mass attack in Congress ("What if Congress were Obliterated? Good Question"). He gave a fuller treatment of the issue in the Wall Street Journal ("Preparing for the Unthinkable"). Syndicated columnists William Safire and Bill Schneider also wrote on the issue.

Complete List of Opinion Pieces:
May 12, 2004, Sen. John Cornyn - Roll Call
"Congress Must Pass A New Amendment To Ensure Continuity"

March 29, 2004, John Fortier and Norman Ornstein - The LA Times
"Ballot Box Needs Some Backup Against Terrorism"

February 05, 2004, Norman Ornstein - The New York Times
"The Quorum After"

January 21, 2004, Norman Ornstein - Roll Call
"Memo to Judiciary: Don't Rush Flawed Continuity Measure"

September 21, 2003, Mark Trahant- The Seattle Post-Intelligencer
"Moving Parts of Government Makes Sense"

September 17, 2003, Editorial - Roll Call
"Facing Sept. 11"

September 14, 2003, Steve Kraske- The Kansas City Star
"It's Time to Think About the Unthinkable"

September 14, 2003- The Cincinnati Enquirer
"Congress: Ensuring Continuity"

September 7, 2003, Bruce Kauffmann- The Oregonian
"Constitutional Amendment Could Keep Congress in Action"

July 6, 2003, Rep. Brian Baird- The Denver Post
"Who Would be in Charge? Succession Fear Real in post-9/11 World "

June 8, 2003, Editorial - The Boston Herald
"Planning for the Worst"

June 7, 2003, Lloyd Cutler and Alan Simpson - The New York Times
"Constitutional Crises "

June 6, 2003, Editorial - The Denver Post
"Preparing for the Unthinkable"

June 6, 2003, Editorial - The Ledger (Lakeland, FL)
"Congress Should Act on Succession"

June 4, 2003, Editorial - The Washington Times
"Ensuring Congressional Continuity"

June 3, 2003, Editorial - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"Time for 28th Amendment?"

May 27, 2003, Editorial - Christian Science Monitor
"Continuity of Congress"

March 04, 2003, Editorial - Roll Call
"Pay Attention"

September 30, 2002, Editorial - Roll Call
"A Big Punt"

September 23, 2002, Norman Ornstein - USA Today
"Congress Slow to Plan for Disaster"

September 16, 2002, John McCaslin- Washington Times
" 'Critical Gap' "

May 16, 2002, Roll Call
"Doomsday Action"

April 22, 2002, Roll Call
"Bunker Mentality"

April 15, 2002, Don Wolfensberger - Roll Call
"Naming Successors Would Violate 'People's House'"

April 10, 2002, Rep. Brad Sherman - The Hill
"Presidential Succession: A Future Crisis We Can Solve Now"

April 8, 2002, Alton Frye - Roll Call
"Constitution Would Allow Members To Name Successors"

March 21, 2002, Roll Call
"Doomsday"

March 17, 2002, Thomas S. Foley and Newt Gingrich - Washington Post
"If Congress Were Attacked"

March 14, 2002, William Safire - New York Times
"Made in the Shade; The President is Right to Create a Parallel Government in Secret"

March 13, 2002, Jules Witcover - Baltimore Sun
"Calamity Shouldn't Bring Shift in Power"

March 11, 2002, Norman Ornstein - The Wall Street Journal
"Preparing for the Unthinkable: Bush's 'Shadow Government' Plan is a Start - But Only a Start"

December 11, 2001, Plain Dealer
"A Government Doomsday Plan"

November 19, 2001, Rep. Vic Snyder - Roll Call
"Ornstein is Wrong: House Members Should Never Be Appointed"

November 8, 2001, Norman Ornstein - Roll Call
"Worst-Case Scenarios Demand the House's Immediate Attention"

November 3, 2001, William Schneider - National Journal
"Insurance Against the Once Unthinkable"

October 23, 2001, Norman Ornstein - Washington Post
"Make Sure Congress Can Survive the Worst-Case Scenario"

October 4, 2001, Norman Ornstein - Roll Call
"What if Congress were Obliterated? Good Question"

February 11, 2001, Rep. Brad Sherman - Los Angeles Times
"Succession Law Should Provide for Continuity of Policy"