To direct the Comptroller General to enter into arrangements with the National Academy of Sciences and the Librarian of Congress for conducting a study on the feasibility and costs of implementing an emergency electronic communications system for Congress to ensure the continuity of the operations of Congress during an emergency, and for other purposes.

Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jul 25, 2003

Directs the Comptroller General to arrange with: (1) the National Academy of Sciences to study the feasibility of, and the costs associated with, the implementation of an emergency electronic communications system for Congress which would ensure the continuity of congressional operations during an emergency (including an emergency under which Congress would be unable to assemble at a single location); and (2) the Librarian of Congress to identify any constitutional and procedural issues which may arise under the implementation of such a system.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Langevin, James R. [D-RI-2] · D–RI

Committees

Committee on House Administration

12 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Jul 25, 2003
Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
Jul 25, 2003
Introduced in House
Jul 25, 2003
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Jul 25, 2003 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.2948 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.2948, 108th Congress: To direct the Comptroller General to enter into arrangements with the National Academy of Sciences and the Librarian of Congress for conducting a study on the feasibility and costs of implementing an emergency electronic communications system for Congress to ensure the continuity of the operations of Congress during an emergency, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/2948

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2003-07-25.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/hr2948/BILLS-108hr2948ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T13:28:28Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.2948 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.2948 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.2948, 108th Congress: To direct the Comptroller General to enter into arrangements with the National Academy of Sciences and the Librarian of Congress for conducting a study on the feasibility and costs of implementing an emergency electronic communications system for Congress to ensure the continuity of the operations of Congress during an emergency, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/2948

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2003-07-25.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/hr2948/BILLS-108hr2948ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T13:28:28Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.2948 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.2948 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.2948, 108th Congress: To direct the Comptroller General to enter into arrangements with the National Academy of Sciences and the Librarian of Congress for conducting a study on the feasibility and costs of implementing an emergency electronic communications system for Congress to ensure the continuity of the operations of Congress during an emergency, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/2948

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2003-07-25.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/hr2948/BILLS-108hr2948ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T13:28:28Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.2948 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.2948 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.2948, 108th Congress: To direct the Comptroller General to enter into arrangements with the National Academy of Sciences and the Librarian of Congress for conducting a study on the feasibility and costs of implementing an emergency electronic communications system for Congress to ensure the continuity of the operations of Congress during an emergency, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/2948

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2003-07-25.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/hr2948/BILLS-108hr2948ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T13:28:28Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.2948 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.