Create safeguards for lawful seating of duly elected representatives

Develop and advance safeguards addressing the lawful seating of duly elected and state-certified Representatives. Reading Judge J. Michael Luttig’s warning about January 3, 2027, stopped me in my tracks. I found myself asking, “Wait—could that really happen?” Luttig describes a possible scenario in which Members-elect who were elected by us, the voters, could be prevented from being seated when the new Congress convenes. If a duly elected Representative is not seated, that Representative cannot take the oath, take a seat in the House, or cast votes as a Member of the House. In practical terms, we, the voters of that district, would not have our elected Representative participating in the House. You can read Judge Luttig’s warning here. (https://judgeluttig327269.substack.com/p/the-final-battle-for-americas-democracy) If voters elect Representatives, the procedures governing their seating should be clear before the election takes place. Congress should establish advance safeguards that protect the lawful seating of Representatives who have been duly elected and whose credentials have been certified by their states. Congress should act before the November 3, 2026 election, while the current House can still consider changes to its rules and procedures. We are asking the House Rules Committee to develop and advance safeguards addressing the lawful seating of duly elected and state-certified Representatives before the new Congress convenes on January 3, 2027. This is not about which party wins the November election. It is about protecting voters’ representation in Congress and ensuring that the lawful process for seating their elected Representatives is clear before the new Congress convenes.