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119-hjres-198119th Congress

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to repeal the seventeenth article of amendment.

Sponsored By: Representative Self, Keith [R-TX-3]

Introduced

Summary

Repeal of the Seventeenth Amendment to return selection of U.S. Senators to state legislatures. This amendment would restore the pre-17th Amendment system for choosing Senators and says current Senators keep their terms, while ratification must occur within a set period.

Show full summary
  • State legislatures: Would shift the power to pick U.S. Senators from statewide popular elections to state legislatures, restoring the earlier constitutional method.
  • Voters and elections: Would remove the direct popular election of Senators, changing how voters influence Senate representation and statewide campaigning.
  • Transition and timing: Would explicitly preserve the rights and terms of any Senator chosen before the repeal becomes valid. It would take effect only if ratified by conventions in three-fourths of the states within 10 years of submission.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Return Senate Selection to States

This bill would repeal the Seventeenth Amendment, removing the rule that lets people vote directly for U.S. Senators. If ratified, senators would be chosen according to state law or by state legislatures instead of by popular vote. The amendment would take effect only if Congress first proposes it by two-thirds of both Houses and then conventions in three-fourths of the states ratify it. Ratification must occur within ten years after submission for it to become valid.

No Retroactive Change for Senators

This bill would say the amendment must not be read to affect the election or term of any Senator chosen before the amendment becomes valid. If ratified, senators already chosen before the amendment’s validity would keep their seats and finish their current terms.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Self, Keith [R-TX-3]

TX • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Burlison, Eric [R-MO-7]

    MO • R

    Sponsored 6/25/2026

  • Rep. Clyde, Andrew S. [R-GA-9]

    GA • R

    Sponsored 6/25/2026

  • Rep. Gosar, Paul A. [R-AZ-9]

    AZ • R

    Sponsored 6/25/2026

  • Rep. Harris, Andy [R-MD-1]

    MD • R

    Sponsored 6/25/2026

  • Rep. Perry, Scott [R-PA-10]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 6/25/2026

  • Rep. Higgins, Clay [R-LA-3]

    LA • R

    Sponsored 6/25/2026

  • Rep. Biggs, Sheri [R-SC-3]

    SC • R

    Sponsored 6/25/2026

  • Rep. Cloud, Michael [R-TX-27]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 6/25/2026

  • Rep. Spartz, Victoria [R-IN-5]

    IN • R

    Sponsored 6/29/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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