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 qualification 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 is 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. (X)
What does this mean?
Well, let's take it into parts.
The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State
First thing's first: Congress is made up of The House & The Senate [ For more information you can check out Crash Course: Freedom Caucus under the heading 'What is their purpose?' ]
BACK TO THIS SPECIFIC LINE
This means that the Senate will contain 2 representatives (Senators) from each Sate.
[E]lected by the people thereof, for six years;
This means that the 2 representatives from each State are chosen by the people and have a term for six years.
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Let's go on a slight history tangent
Prior to this Amendment - the people of the State did not choose their 2 representatives.
Each State, like Congress, has 2 Houses: The House and The Senate ( I'm going to nickname it State Version of Congress)
well minus Nebraska - they only have one house.
The State Version of Congress decided who would be the 2 representatives rather than the people of the State voting for their representatives in the actual Congress.
This had it's issues though and soon it became a
How much money will you pay me to vote for you to be a Senator in Congress
xo State Legislature (aka. State Version of Congress)
Then this Amendment was born.
For additional reading on State Version of Congress:
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and each Senator shall have one vote. Kind of self-explanatory but: Each senator has one vote [To learn more about Bills becoming laws & Senators Voting - Crash Course: Freedom Caucus under the heading What is their purpose details that.]
The electors in each State shall have the qualification requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures.
In Article 1 Section 3 of the Constitution it details the qualification to become Senator.
- Must be 30 Years old
- Must be a citizen of the U.S. for at least the past 9 years
- They must live in the State they want to represent at the time of election.
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:
Who is the executive authority?
The Governor of the State
This line means that if there are openings in the State Representatives in Congress then the governor has to call an election to fill those empty seats.
Provided, That is 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 means that while the people are voting, the Governor can temporarily place someone in the Senate as a State Representative until the people vote.
This means that this amendment didn't affect the Senators in the Senate that were chosen before this amendment.
So I take this as: HI YES YOU PAID YOUR WAY TO BE IN THE SENATE BUT YOU CAN STILL STAY. BUT WE CHANGED THE RULES SO THAT ROUTE TO BECOME A SENATOR DOES NOT EXIST ANYMORE.
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To Summarize:
‣ Each state has 2 Representatives in the Senate
‣ They serve a term for 6 years
‣ If a Senate seat is left open before the end of a 6 year term (i.e. death, leaves office earlier) then the Governor temporarily places someone in while the people vote for the replacement
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In what ways has President Trump & his Administration done something that pertains to this Amendment:
Nothing at this time.
- If needed this will be updated from time to time.
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Is there an Amendment you would like to more of?
to be taken to a list & choose which one you would like to learn more about.
This is a series that is ongoing - Each Wednesday [ #WednesdayAmendment] there will be an Amendment Explanation paired with what Trump & his administration have done that pertains to the Amendment discussed.
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