The HOUSE was under martial law. Not the United States itself.
According to Burgess (in an interview by Alex Jones), the House has a rule that bills have to be offered for review at least 24 hours before the voting. Martial law allows them to ignore that rule. So, by declaring marital law, they were able to propose the bill Sunday night for voting early Monday. Burgess said that it makes little sense because the Senate wasn't going to vote on it for several more days anyway.
He mentioned that the holidays were used as an excuse for the hurry. But, he said, the House chose to work part of the way into the August holiday because they hadn't finished an important energy bill. They stayed and got it done. He thinks they should give up their upcoming holidays if needed to work this one out too.
