Feingold: Constitutional Amendment For Senate Vacancies

Senator Russ Feingold is unhappy with the back door deal-making for how Commerce Sec. nominee Judd Gregg's vacancy is being filled. Feingold wants constitutional amendment allowing voters to decide Senate replacements. It is a good idea. The chances of the amendment getting tho-thirds of the Senate and three-fourths of states are slim.

“I congratulate Senator Gregg on his nomination to be the next Secretary of Commerce. I served with Senator Gregg on the Budget Committee for many years and worked together with him to advocate several budget reforms. Moreover, his service for several years as Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and State has given him a solid grounding in Commerce Department programs. He is well qualified for this position.

“But the apparent behind-the-scenes deal-making that went on to determine who will fill Senator Gregg's vacancy is alarmingly undemocratic. Once again, Americans will be represented in the Senate for nearly two years by someone they had no hand in electing. As the number of Senators appointed to their seats continues to rise, it’s increasingly clear that we need to fix this constitutional anachronism. It is time to pass a constitutional amendment to end appointments by governors and the political gamesmanship they encourage.”

The Constitution gives state Governors the power to select Senate replacements. Those replacements either step down or run in the next official election.

In Minnesota, state legislators Rep. Ryan Winkler and Senator Ann Rest introduced legislation to allow voters to decide Senate vacancies. Even if the bill passed, the Supreme Court would rule the bill unconstitutional. The Feingold bill is the most viable option.