Kennedy Seeks Change in Succession Law

Senator Edward Kennedy, ill with brain cancer, has written a letter to the Massachusetts legislature requesting that they change the succession law to allow the governor to appoint an interim successor to a senator until a special election can be held five months later (as required by state law). Senator Kennedy argues that "it is vital for this commonwealth to have two voices speaking for the needs of its citizens and two votes in the Senate during the approximately five months between a vacancy and an election." Though he does not mention health care legislation, one can only infer that he is seeking to insure passage of the reform that has been the signature cause of his long and distinguished career. It will be a great shame if the most effective legislator in the history of the Senate does not have the opportunity to vote on the bill he has worked a lifetime to achieve. You can read more about Senator Kennedy's request here.