Senator Feingold Wants To End Blago-Type Appointments

by polylogue | January 25, 2009 at 12:49 pm

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U.S. Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) will introduce a constitutional amendment to end appointments to the U.S. Senate by governors in the case of vacant seats. The Feingold amendment will call for special elections to replace senators who depart during a term.

This issue became radioactive recently due to alleged moves by disgraced Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich to try to seek compensation for naming a Senate replacement for President Barack Obama's old seat. With a cloud hanging over the Illinois Senate selecting process, Blagojevich ignored pleas not to make a selection. However, he chose former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris. After threats by Senate leaders not to seat Blagojevich's choice, Burris was finally allowed to sit in the Senate as there appeared no legal recourse to block the appointment.

Controversy has also swirled around the protracted appointment process to fill Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's old senate seat. New York Governor Patterson named Democratic Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand as Clinton's replacement on Friday.

In a news release, Feingold stated "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."

"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."