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Summary:
The events of September 11, 2001, and the subsequent anthrax incidents have
prompted some observers to suggest creating a capability for a virtual or electronic
Congress (e-Congress) that could function in the event of an emergency. Currently, it
is unclear exactly how an e-Congress would be constituted and operated; however, a
proposal (H.R. 3481) has been introduced to require the National Institute of Standards
and Technology (NIST) to investigate the feasibility and costs of implementing a
computer system for remote voting and communication for Congress to ensure business
continuity for congressional operations. The Committee on House Administration held
hearings on e-Congress initiatives and other issues surrounding the continuity of
congressional operations on May 1, 2002. On June 24, 2002 a bill (H.R. 5007) was
introduced, directing the Comptroller General to enter into arrangements with the
National Academy of Science and the Librarian of Congress to examine the feasibility
and costs, and the constitutional and procedural issues associated with the creation of
an emergency electronic communication system for Congress, respectively.
Some observers have offered broad suggestions involving the establishment of a
Web site that Members of Congress could access from any location beyond the Capitol
complex. It has been suggested that such a Web site could enable Members of Congress
to carry out activities normally done on the chambers' floors or in committees. These
suggestions generally highlight the use of information technology (IT) to enable
Congress to carry out its responsibilities remotely, as a substitute for traditional
congressional functions performed in Washington. These proposals tend to focus on
floor activity while not addressing other areas of congressional activities, such as
committee business and Member office operations. In addition to these matters, the
possibility of convening an e-Congress raises a number of procedural, technical, and
resource questions that may require further study.
