Skip to main content
HJRES 89 108th Congress House Congress Congressional elections Constitutional amendments Election candidates Government Operations and Politics Governors House of Representatives Law Legislative resolutions Members of Congress Political parties Special elections State legislatures

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States regarding the appointment of individuals to fill vacancies in the House of Representatives.

Introduced: March 11, 2004 Introduced by: Larson, John B. Democratic · Connecticut See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 108th Congress ended
It never became law before the 108th Congress (2003–2004) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Apr 2, 2004
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.
Mar 18, 2004
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E412)
Mar 11, 2004
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Mar 11, 2004
Introduced in House
 Ask about this bill AI · grounded in the bill text

Have a question about what this bill does? Ask in plain English; the answer is drawn from the bill's actual text and official record, and it'll tell you when something isn't in the text rather than guess.

AI answers can be imperfect; always confirm against the full bill text.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Constitutional Amendment - Declares that a smaller number than the majority of the House of Representatives may resolve that a vacancy exists in the majority of the number of seats of the House provided by law.

Provides that, after the adoption of a resolution with respect to the vacancy, the State legislature in which a vacancy in the membership of the House exists shall convene a special session to appoint an individual to fill the vacancy.

Requires the chief executive of the State to appoint an individual to fill the vacancy if: (1) the State legislature does not convene a special session during the five-calendar day period which begins on the day after the House adopts the resolution; or (2) the legislature convenes a special session during such period but does not appoint an individual to fill a vacancy in a seat during the three-calendar day period which begins on the date the legislature convenes the special session.

Declares that an individual appointed under this article shall meet the qualifications for service as a Member of the House and shall serve as a Member until an election is held to fill the original vacancy. Requires that the State provide for such an election at such time and in accordance with such procedures as may be provided by law, except that the individual appointed may not be a candidate in the next election for the House. Provides that such individual shall be a member of the same political party as the Member of the House who previously held the seat.

Grants Congress the power by law to: (1) specify circumstances constituting when a vacancy happens in the Representation from any State in the House; and (2) to address the incapacity of Members of the House.

What's happening now April 2, 2004

Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.J. Res. 89: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States regarding the appointment of individuals to fill vacancies in the House of Representatives.. 108th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HJRES-89/
MLA
"H.J. Res. 89: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States regarding the appointment of individuals to fill vacancies in the House of Representatives.." 108th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HJRES-89/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.J. Res. 89, 108th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HJRES-89/.
Markdown link
[H.J. Res. 89: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States regarding the appointment of individuals to fill vacancies in the House of Representatives.](https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HJRES-89/)
Report a problem