Neither the framers nor subsequent political leaders had built in to the constitutional framework any plans to reconstitute Congress in the event of a catastrophe like 9/11. I called for Congressional leaders to at least create a commission to study the problem and potential solutions.

The danger of a catastrophic attack on Congress is real--it might have happened on 9/11.

The danger of a catastrophic attack on Congress is real--it might have happened on 9/11.

The prospect of an attack on the Supreme Court and other institutions of government is sobering. The Continuity of Government Commission has identified recommendations to ensure that the presidential succession system functions to produce a legitimate president in a timely fashion and that Congress can continue to operate even shortly after a catastrophic terrorist attack.

Congress is poised to leave for August, but there are pressing areas that remain wholly untouched by this session.

Eight years after the 9/11 attacks, the Continuity of Government Commission will discuss the continuity of Congress, the lack of progress we have made, and where we might go from here.

We owe it to the nation to have a plan for Congress to reconstitute itself in the case of a catastrophic terrorist attack.