Congressman Keith Self Introduces Resolution to Repeal the 17th Amendment

Congressman Keith Self (TX-03) introduced a joint resolution to repeal the 17th Amendment and restore the Founders' original vision for the United States Senate by returning the selection of U.S. Senators to state legislatures.

Ratified in 1913, the 17th Amendment shifted the election of senators from state legislatures to direct popular vote. For more than 124 years prior, senators were chosen by elected state representatives, creating a direct chain of accountability between the Senate and the sovereign states they were meant to represent.

"The current system has given us six-year politicians more focused on national ambitions and the institution of the U.S. Senate than on the states they serve," said Congressman Self. "Our Founding Fathers designed the Senate to protect state sovereignty and act as a check on federal overreach. If senators are supposed to represent their states, then the states should choose them. Repealing the 17th Amendment will restore that constitutional balance and make the Senate more accountable to the people of Texas and every other state in the union."

The Founders intentionally structured Congress with two distinct chambers: the House of Representatives to represent the people directly, and the Senate to represent the states as sovereign entities. The 17th Amendment disrupted this delicate balance, weakening state governments and contributing to the steady expansion of federal power at the expense of the states.

Repealing the amendment would return authority to state legislatures-bodies that remain directly accountable to local voters-and give states a stronger voice in Washington. Senators would once again have powerful incentives to defend state interests and protect the Tenth Amendment.

Congressman Self's resolution advances a growing movement to revive federalism and correct a century of progressive centralization that has eroded the original constitutional design.

Cosponsors: Reps. Eric Burlison (MO-07), Andrew Clyde (GA-09), Paul Gosar (AZ-09), Andy Harris (MD-01), Scott Perry (PA-10), Clay Higgins (LA-03), Sheri Biggs (SC-03), and Michael Cloud (TX-27).

"As originally envisioned by our Framers, the Senate was a key bulwark of federalism: It was meant to give the states a check on the federal government and moderate the passions of the people. Therefore, it's no coincidence that over the last century, Washington has concentrated more power in itself and buried the country in debt. If we're serious about reining in federal power and spending, we should be willing to reconsider the change that, together with the 16th Amendment, has helped fuel its growth more than any other," said Congressman Burlison.

"The Founders intended the Senate to be the voice of the states in our federal system, not a perpetual roadblock to the will of the American people. Over time, the Seventeenth Amendment weakened that connection and shifted more power to Washington insiders and special interests. Returning the selection of Senators to state legislatures would restore an important constitutional check, strengthen state sovereignty, and help bring accountability back to an institution that too often obstructs meaningful reform. I am proud to support this resolution," said Congressman Gosar.

"The 17th Amendment is arguably the most injurious amendment in history. Big money has twisted our Senate races into circus acts. The Founders knew what they were doing, and We the People should restore the original Constitutional process for election of US Senators," said Congressman Higgins.

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