14-R402

2014 -- H 7151

Enacted 07/03/14

J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

RATIFYING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES

CONCERNING THE ELECTIONS OF SENATORS

Introduced By: Representatives Keable, Ackerman, Blazejewski, Amore, and Mattiello

Date Introduced: January 21, 2014

                   WHEREAS, The house of representatives of the United States and the United States

              senate, by the constitutional vote of two-thirds (2/3) of each house concurring therein, did enact at

              the sixty-second congress of the United States of America in 1912 an amendment of the

              constitution of the United States; and

                   WHEREAS, Said amendment was submitted to the states for ratification and said

              amendment to the constitution of the United States of America is in the following words, to wit:

              "ARTICLE XVII

              Election of Senators

                   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 occur 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 appointment 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." Now, therefore be it

                   RESOLVED, That the general assembly of the State of Rhode Island and Providence

              Plantations does hereby ratify the above proposed amendment to the constitution of the United

              States of America; and be it further

                   RESOLVED, That certified copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the

              secretary of state of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations to the President of the

              United States, the majority leader of the senate of the United States, and the speaker of the house

              of representatives of the United States.

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