H.J. Res. 198 proposes a constitutional amendment to repeal the Seventeenth Amendment, which currently provides for the direct election of U.S. Senators by voters. Instead, the resolution would restore the pre-1913 system in which state legislatures choose senators, while protecting the terms of senators already elected before the amendment takes effect. If ratified by conventions in three-fourths of the states within ten years, it would change how every future Senate seat is filled.
What This Bill Does
- Repeals the Seventeenth Amendment in Section 1.
- Would end direct election of U.S. senators by voters if ratified.
- Requires ratification by conventions in three-fourths of the states within ten years.
- Section 2 protects senators already chosen before the amendment takes effect.
Who This Bill Affects
For most people, this bill would only matter if it ultimately became a ratified constitutional amendment, because it would change how U.S. senators are chosen in every state. If adopted, your state legislature—not a statewide popular vote—would pick senators, which would reduce direct voter influence over Senate seats and increase the power of state lawmakers. Current senators would not be affected mid-term, because Section 2 says the change would not alter the election or term of any senator chosen before the amendment becomes valid.
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- state legislators and state-government advocates They may argue the change restores a stronger role for state governments in the federal system. By letting legislatures choose senators, states would have a more direct institutional voice in Congress.
- conservative constitutional originalists They may contend that the Senate should again reflect the interests of state governments rather than statewide election campaigns. Supporters in this camp often see the Seventeenth Amendment as having weakened federalism.
- political reformers focused on legislative accountability They may believe senators chosen by legislatures would be more accountable to state policy priorities and less driven by expensive statewide campaign politics. In their view, the current system encourages national fundraising and partisan campaigning.
- voters and democracy reform advocates They are likely to argue that repealing direct Senate elections would strip citizens of a direct vote for one of the most powerful federal offices. They would see that as a step backward for democratic participation.
- good-government and transparency advocates They may warn that legislative selection could increase backroom bargaining and reduce public accountability. Because state lawmakers would choose senators, party leaders and insiders could have more influence over the outcome.
- constitutional scholars and civic educators They may argue that the Seventeenth Amendment settled a long-standing problem with indirect Senate selection and made senators more responsive to the public. Repeal would reopen a structure that many see as less representative.
Key Implications
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““The seventeenth article of amendment to the Constitution is hereby repealed.””
This is the core change: it would remove the constitutional rule that lets voters directly elect senators. If ratified, it would alter the selection method for future Senate seats nationwide.
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““Ratified by conventions in three-fourths of the several States within ten years””
The amendment would not take effect just by passing Congress; it would need approval through state conventions in at least 38 states within a ten-year window. That makes state-level politics decisive.
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““This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid””
Current senators would keep their seats and terms. The transition would therefore apply only going forward, avoiding disruption to sitting senators.
Official Source & Bill Facts
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- Bill
- HJRES 198
- Congress
- 119th Congress
- Official title
- Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to repeal the seventeenth article of amendment.
- Policy area
- Government & Elections
- Latest action
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. (June 25, 2026)
- Last updated
- June 26, 2026
Latest Status
June 25, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
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Ask AI about this billData sourced from api.congress.gov.