How Should the United States Senate be Elected?

Описание: The Constitution did not create a direct democracy; it established a constitutional republic. Its goal was to preserve individual liberty. To this end, the Framers provided that the power of various political actors would derive from different sources. One example from the Founders’ original design was the election of U.S. Senators by state legislators.

In 1913, however, the Seventeenth Amendment replaced the original means for the election of Senators with the current system of direct election by the people. What impact has this significant change made on federalism and the Legislative branch? Would reinstating the Framers’ design for the Senate elections be a worthwhile step toward restoring constitutional government? Our distinguished panel will weigh these important considerations and offer their views.

As always, the Federalist Society takes no particular legal or public policy positions. All opinions expressed are those of the speakers.

Featuring:

Prof. Garrett Epps, University of Baltimore School of Law

Prof. Todd Zywicki, Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University

Moderator: Todd B. Tatelman, US House of Representatives, Office of General Counsel