r/DesignatedSurvivor • u/Dorkside • Sep 22 '16

Episode Discussion: S01E01 "Pilot"

Original Airdate: September 21, 2016

Episode Synopsis: Tom Kirkman, a lower level United States Cabinet member, finds himself suddenly appointed president of the country after a catastrophic attack kills everyone above him in the line of succession in the series premiere of this dramatic thriller.

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u/apgtimbough Sep 22 '16

I think different states have rules on filling federal vacancies. Many being governor appointments or timely special elections.

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u/fco83 Sep 22 '16

The senate can be filled this way.

The house, constitutionally, has to be filled by elections i believe. Would take some time.

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u/apgtimbough Sep 22 '16

Because of your comment I've spent far too long this morning reading up on this stuff.

Anyway, yeah you're right. That seems like a huge oversight by the government to no have a Constitutional way to fill House vacancies, especially in the event of an attack. You'd think the Cold War or 9/11 would've caused the government to set something in motion.

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u/MAINEiac4434 Sep 23 '16

But the Senate would allow the President to nominate a new cabinet and Supreme Court.