#17th amendment

On This Day in 1913: The 17th Amendment was ratified, giving VOTERS the power to elect U.S. Senators instead of letting the state legislatures decide.

As women and people of color won the right to vote, they took their power to the ballot box and voted for Senators that better represented the diversity of our country.

The power should be in the hands of the people. ✊🏽

Joint Resolution of the State Legislature of Louisiana calling for a Constitutional Convention under Article V of the Constitution to propose an amendment for direct election of Senators, 11/25/1907.

Record Group 46: Records of the U.S. Senate

Series: Petitions and Memorials of the Committee on Privileges and Elections

File Unit: Petitions and Memorials, Resolutions of State Legislatures, and Related Documents, which were Referred to the Committee on Privileges and Elections during the 60th Congress

Transcription:

The Constitution and Beto’s Question: A Libertarian Answer

A while ago, renowned Democrat and former Texas congressman, Robert Francis “Beto” O’Rourke, questioned the validity and relevance of the a document “set down 230-plus years ago.” That document was the Constitution of the United States. He was criticized for questioning the Constitution, the values, and principles on which the country was founded.

The question was, with the size of the American…

The Wise Doctor

January 9th, 1901

Uncle Sam drinks ‘Senators by Popular Vote’ Constitutional Amendment Bitters, while his doctor, U.S. Senator, tries to warn him off. 

The caption reads “Doctor U.S. Senator - 'I wouldn't take that, Sam! Its not good for your constitution.' Uncle Sam - 'Nor for your health, eh Doc?'”

The idea of direct election of Senators had gained steam in recent years as an effort to blunt the power of the increasingly conservative Senate. At the time, most senators were elected by the state legislatures. The 17th Amendment, passed in 1913, would result in direct election of senators.

From Hennepin County Library

Trump and Republicans lose repealing ObamaCare for the 7th time in 7 months. Huckabee figures the only to get TrumCare passed is to change the Constitution to take away the rights of the American people to choose their own senators.

Mikey, Republicans control ALL 3 branches of the government. It has nothing to do with whether a senator is Republican, Democrat or Independent. No one wants TrumpCare except Trump, The Rich and Lobbyists. AHCA had 17% approval from We The People. BRCA had 12% approval. Hello!

Who’s the real SNOWFLAKE?

Is this Mikey’s way of paying Trump back for hiring his daughter, Sarah Huckabee Sanders?

Time to repeal 17th Amendment. Founders had it right-Senators chosen by state legislatures. Will work for their states and respect 10th amid

Gov. Mike Huckabee‏ Jul 28, 2017  3:3 AM

The 17th Amendment reads in full (emphasis mine):

The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures.

When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.

This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution.