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S.J.Res. 35: A joint resolution to repeal the seventeenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States.

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S.J.Res. 35: A joint resolution to repeal the seventeenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States.

108th Congress · introduced 2004-04-28 · Congress · Latest: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4504)

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2004-04-28 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Sen. Miller, Zell [D-GA] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
  4. Where it stands now: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4504) Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

A joint resolution to repeal the seventeenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States.

Plain summary

Constitutional Amendment - Repeals the 17th amendment to the U.S. Constitution (election of Senators). Requires a State legislature to make appointments to the Senate (currently, the people of such State elect the Senators). Provides that if vacancies happen by resignation or otherwise, during the recess of any State legislature, the State executive may make temporary appointments until the next meeting of the legislature, which shall then fill such vacancies.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

A joint resolution to repeal the seventeenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States.

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate)

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The strongest published arguments

Arguments for (supporters)

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Arguments against (opponents)

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Sen. Miller, Zell [D-GA] · 0 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (3)
Constitutional amendment
A change to a constitution. In Texas the Legislature proposes an amendment with a joint resolution passed by two-thirds of the members of each chamber. It takes effect only if a majority of the people voting on it approve it. In Florida, an amendment needs at least 60% of the votes cast on it to pass.
Joint resolution
In Texas, the type of measure the Legislature uses to propose a constitutional amendment (marked HJR or SJR). The governor does not sign or veto it; the voters decide. In Congress a joint resolution can also be used like a bill. In Florida, a joint resolution passed by three-fifths of the members of each chamber puts a constitutional amendment on the ballot.
Legislature
The elected body that makes laws. In Texas it has a House of Representatives (150 members) and a Senate (31 members). In Florida it has a House of Representatives (120 members) and a Senate (40 members).

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong108-sjres35 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong108 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong108