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S. 2031 108th Congress Senate

Continuity of the Senate Act of 2004

Official title: A bill to authorize the States to implement such mechanisms as are necessary in a time of national crisis to ensure the continuity of the Senate in the event t… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: A bill to authorize the States to implement such mechanisms as are necessary in a time of national crisis to ensure the continuity of the Senate in the event that a quorum of the Senate is not present due to the inability of members of the Senate to discharge the powers and duties of their office.

Introduced: January 27, 2004 Introduced by: John Cornyn Republican · Texas See on congress.gov
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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 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 22, 2004
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S8771)
Jan 27, 2004
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
Jan 27, 2004
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action July 22, 2004

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S8771)

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Continuity of the Senate Act of 2004 - Provides that if the Senate ascertains that a quorum of the Senate is not present, the Majority and Minority Leaders of the Senate, or their designees, may jointly determine that such absence of a quorum is caused by the inability of the members of the Senate to discharge the powers and duties of the office during a time of national crisis.

Authorizes the legislature of each State to enact laws declaring who shall serve in the place of such members.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 2031: Continuity of the Senate Act of 2004. 108th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/108-S-2031/
MLA
"S. 2031: Continuity of the Senate Act of 2004." 108th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/108-S-2031/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 2031, 108th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/108-S-2031/.
Markdown link
[S. 2031: Continuity of the Senate Act of 2004](https://openamerica.io/bill/108-S-2031/)
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