Feingold to offer Constitutional Amendment

[epo]

This session Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold is going to be introducing a constitutional amendment to end the current process to replacing Senators through gubernatorial appointment.

From his press release: (http://feingold.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=307275)

"The controversies surrounding some of the recent gubernatorial appointments to vacant Senate seats make it painfully clear that such appointments are an anachronism that must end. In 1913, the Seventeenth Amendment to the Constitution gave the citizens of this country the power to finally elect their senators. They should have the same power in the case of unexpected mid term vacancies, so that the Senate is as responsive as possible to the will of the people. I plan to introduce a constitutional amendment this week to require special elections when a Senate seat is vacant, as the Constitution mandates for the House, and as my own state of Wisconsin already requires by statute. As the Chairman of the Constitution Subcommittee, I will hold a hearing on this important topic soon."

That is seriously pretty awesome.

[Devo37]

i agree. the governor appointing someone with no sort or election or even an approval process seems very un-democratic.

[SP1!]

I would be more impressed if they had a bill that also limited senate terms.

[Tall_James]

Be it Caroline Kennedy, Oprah or a field goal-kicking mule - these appointments are a slap in the face to the electorate.

[Tall_James]

I heard that Feingold is attaching a rider to this bill in which he will get free slacks for the rest of his life.

Prick.

[epo]

I would be more impressed if they had a bill that also limited senate terms.

You have the power every 6 years to get rid of your Senator. What's stopping you?

[Tall_James]

You have the power every 6 years to get rid of your Senator. What's stopping you?

Family Guy reruns on TBS.

[HBox]

I don't think this is a good idea, I don't think the Senate has any business telling states how they select their Senators, at least to this degree. Plus it's just another unfunded mandate: hold a special election, and we don't care how much it will cost you, and we certainly give you any money to hold them you silly billy.

On top of that the States would have to pass this and they certainly won't.

[SP1!]

You have the power every 6 years to get rid of your Senator. What's stopping you?
The thousands of other morons that seem to think power doesnt corrupt people, at the least there needs to be an age limit at around 80. Once they reach that they are too far out of touch to think rationally, its like the idiots in south carolina that kept electing strom thurmond, there is no way he should have been in office as long as he was.

Be it Caroline Kennedy, Oprah or a field goal-kicking mule - these appointments are a slap in the face to the electorate.
Now who wouldnt want Gus in there!? No one thats who!

[cougarjake13]

whats the chance of it actually passing ??

[epo]

The thousands of other morons that seem to think power doesnt corrupt people, at the least there needs to be an age limit at around 80. Once they reach that they are too far out of touch to think rationally, its like the idiots in south carolina that kept electing strom thurmond, there is no way he should have been in office as long as he was.

Sure Robert Byrd and Strom Thurmond are/were turds. But they are the turds that those states chose to represent them.

[Pantywagger]

Russ Feingold rules!

[KnoxHarrington]

I would hope at least that every state passes a law that does this, as they can do already.

[SP1!]

Sure Robert Byrd and Strom Thurmond are/were turds. But they are the turds that those states chose to represent them.

My point remains that once they are in power eventually they will get corrupt, it never changes, its human nature, you should want that even if your guy is in office simply because they get influence and wield too much power to govern correctly.

The establishment knows that people are morons and just vote for whatever makes them comfortable instead of rocking the boat, sometimes the boat needs to be flipped upside down.

[keithy_19]

I don't think this is a good idea, I don't think the Senate has any business telling states how they select their Senators, at least to this degree. Plus it's just another unfunded mandate: hold a special election, and we don't care how much it will cost you, and we certainly give you any money to hold them you silly billy.

On top of that the States would have to pass this and they certainly won't.

Fully agree.

[The Jays]

I do not think that governors should have the power to appoint replacements. I think it is totally right for a special election to be held for every open Congressional office... no executive should be able to control how the law is made... only the people should.

[A.J.]

So basically he wants to amend the Amendment by getting rid of the italicized part?

The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, (chosen by the Legislature thereof,) (The preceding words in parentheses superseded by 17th Amendment, section 1.) for six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote.

Immediately after they shall be assembled in Consequence of the first Election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three Classes. The Seats of the Senators of the first Class shall be vacated at the Expiration of the second Year, of the second Class at the Expiration of the fourth Year, and of the third Class at the Expiration of the sixth Year, so that one third may be chosen every second Year; (and if Vacancies happen by Resignation, or otherwise, during the Recess of the Legislature of any State, the Executive thereof may make temporary Appointments until the next Meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such Vacancies.) (The preceding words in parentheses were superseded by the 17th Amendment, section 2.)

Amendment 17 - Senators Elected by Popular Vote. Ratified 4/8/1913. History

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

[Farmer Dave]

So if it was to pass the state is forced to hold an expensive election. In the mean time you are without half of your representation in the senate. If the election is rushed you won't have time to flush all the skeletons out of the canidates closet anyway, and you still end up with a turd.

Waste of time, but hey, that's what the federal government does best.

[El Mudo]

I don't think this is a good idea, I don't think the Senate has any business telling states how they select their Senators, at least to this degree. Plus it's just another unfunded mandate: hold a special election, and we don't care how much it will cost you, and we certainly give you any money to hold them you silly billy.

On top of that the States would have to pass this and they certainly won't.

QFT....the amendment would have a snowball's chance in hell of getting through the states.

I would like to keep what little of the 10th amendment remains alive

[hexy68]

that's one of the best ideas coming out of DC...(and a Dem) i've heard in a long time...i hope it passes