Attempting to reopen the debate about how Congress would reconstitute itself immediately after a terrorist attack, Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) has reintroduced a constitutional amendment that would give Congress the authority to pass legislation dealing with the death or incapacitation of large numbers of lawmakers.

[IMGCAP(1)] The amendment would provide the constitutional framework for one or both chambers to draft their own continuity plans by statute. Such legislation would have to pass by a supermajority of two-thirds of both bodies, a modification suggested at a hearing last year by Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) to guard against the use of the amendment for partisan purposes.

Cornyn’s amendment passed the Judiciary subcommittee on the Constitution by voice vote last year.

Kauders’ Caucus Move. House Democratic Caucus Chairman Bob Menendez (N.J.) announced Friday that Andrew Kauders will be the new executive director of the organization.

Kauders moves up from his post as communications director and senior adviser following the departure of Executive Director Jim Datri. Datri is moving to the D.C. law and consulting firm Manatt, Phelps and Phillips, effective Feb. 22.

Menendez complimented Kauders’ “keen strategic sense” in a news release announcing the staff moves. Kauders “conveys in his work and his interactions the kind of optimism and forward-thinking we need,” the New Jersey lawmaker added.

Karissa Wilhite, the Caucus’ current policy director, was named deputy executive director on Friday as well.

Cox Navigates to K Street. Chris Cox, special assistant to the president for legislative affairs, is joining the all-Republican lobbying firm the Navigators.

Cox will lobby both chambers and the administration as a vice president.

The firm can use the extra manpower as it takes on three new clients. The Navigators announced Friday they have inked deals with Advanced Micro Devices, a California-based company that produces microprocessors and flash memory devices; Clean Energy, another Golden State company and the largest provider of vehicular natural gas in North America; and Aetna, the health benefits company.

— Suzanne Nelson, Chris Cillizza and Tory Newmyer