Congressmen Schock & Shimkus Introduce Bill Mandating Special Elections to Fill Senate Seats

From Congressman Schock's office

Washington, D.C. – Congressmen Aaron Schock (R-IL) and John Shimkus (R-IL) introduced the Ethical and Legal Elections for Congressional Transitions (ELECT) Act today, to require that within 90-days of a vacancy in a United States Senate seat a Special Election would occur to elect someone to fill such a vacancy.

“Recent events in Illinois have highlighted the need to ensure that the American people have a say in seating those who represent them in the United States Senate,” said Schock. “The good people of Illinois have unfortunately had the process of selecting their next Senator, a process which should be of integrity, openness and honesty dragged through the mud and almost sold off to the highest bidder. Such a process is not acceptable.”

“This is a non-partisan, good-government bill to ensure the voice of the American people, instilled to them by the Constitution, is heard when choosing those who will represent them,” Schock continued.

"I proudly join Aaron in sponsoring this legislation to allow the people to elect their Senator when a vacancy occurs,” said Shimkus. “It is unfortunate that the recent circumstances in our state force this issue, but we cannot allow a similar situation to occur in the future."

The ELECT Act:

· Ensures that the voice of the American people is heard by directing that within 90-days of a vacancy in a United States Senate seat a Special Election would occur to elect someone to fill such a vacancy.

· Satisfies the 17th Amendment of the Constitution by allowing the Governor or State Legislature to fill a vacancy with an appointment, however; such person must run in the Special Election to maintain control of that seat.

· Allows for Primary Elections if needed by being 40 days longer than the Special Elections currently allotted under the Continuity in Representation Act and 30 or more days longer than the time period most states allot for U.S. House Special Elections.

· Assists States by providing for a 50-50 cost-share between the State and the Federal Government, since the cost of a Special Election is almost always unbudgeted.

The fact that only 33% of appointed Senators win their first general election shows that more often than not, appointed Senators do not have the support of their constituents.

The fundamentals of democracy, set forth by our Founding Fathers, state that our elected officials be rightfully elected by the people they represent. It is in the interest of Congress and the American people to have an elected official back in place, filling a Senate vacancy, as soon as possible.

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