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House rejects rule to name a designated survivor; measure fails after extended debate
Summary
The Arkansas House voted down House Resolution 10 12, a rules change that would require a member be designated as a “designated survivor” during gatherings of state officials. The measure failed 39 yays, 31 nays, 20 present after debate about constitutional and bicameral implications.
The Arkansas House of Representatives on the floor voted down House Resolution 10 12, a proposed amendment to House rules that would require the speaker to name a “designated survivor” to be physically removed from the Capitol during events when many constitutional officers and justices are present. The resolution failed on a recorded vote of 39 yays, 31 nays and 20 present.
Proponent Representative Meeks, who explained the rule change, said the designated survivor would be “in the top third of seniority” and would leave the Capitol at least one hour before such events and be “at least 5 miles away,” with the Department of Emergency Management notified of the individual. Meeks said the change was intended as a prudential step so the institution would retain experienced leadership in the unlikely event of a catastrophic loss of officials: “I pray to God that it’s never that it never happens,” he told colleagues.
Opponents said the proposal raised constitutional and coordination concerns. Representative McKenzie said the change “is worthy of study” and warned that the succession lines involve the Senate; he urged the House to coordinate with the Senate to avoid a mismatch in procedures that could produce a constitutional conflict. Representative Duke likewise urged more study and joint consideration, saying the potential consequences “require a little additional study.”
Representative Shockington questioned whether the designated survivor would be required to be from the majority party; Meeks replied the rule does not include a party requirement and that the speaker would make the designation.
After floor remarks and closing statements, the House voted and the resolution fell short of passage. The chair recorded the tally as the resolution failed. The House then moved on to other business and adjourned under the newly adopted adjournment rule earlier in the session.
The debate highlighted a procedural difference between the chambers and underscored members’ concerns about entrusting such a power to a single chamber without parallel procedures in the Senate.
