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Constution
The constitution was ratified. It set up the senate but had it so the states chose senators. Which later would become corrupted because people could just buy senatorships from the state.
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Proposal #1
In 1826 was the first time an amendment to make senators elected by popular vote was actually proposed; however, it did not gain support till the late 19th century.
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Need for the amendment
In the 1850's deadlocks began to happen making it impossible to hold congressional meetings because the states could not decide who they would make Senators.
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Reasoning
In late 19th century some state legislatures were deadlocked over which Senators they would appoint because different parties held different houses. So in 1911 the House of Representatives wanted to change that.
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Actual Proposal
This amendment would make it so senators would be elected by voters and not by state legislatures, but the senators would approve it until they changed part of it. It also said that the senators in office could stay until the end of the term
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Approval
After the change was made the senate approved the 17 amendment then in May of the same year the House did as well.
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Ratified
On April 8 Connecticut ratified the amendment it being the 36th to ratify it. It then became the 17 amendment to the Constitution. and now still there are nine states that have not ratified that amendment.
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First time used
Maryland was the first to use this amendment because there was a vacancy that person had a term that ended in 1917.
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Tea party movement
The Tea party movement wanted to repeal the 17th amendment saying that it would give the states more power and reduce the power of the federal government.
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Repel
The Utah Senate met this month to tell congress to repeal the 17th amendment. It passed in the state senate and is on its way to the house. Senator Al Jackson is trying to get it repealed.
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