STATEHOUSE-Rep. Dave Frizzell (R-Indianapolis) and Rep. Bob Behning (R-Indianapolis) announced today that they have co-authored House Joint Resolution (HJR) 10, which would rethink the way U.S. Senators are appointed.

HJR 10 directs the United States Congress to call a constitutional convention for the purpose of changing the Seventeenth Amendment, which gives directions on electing U.S. Senators.

One hundred years ago when the Seventeenth Amendment was passed, it transferred this power from the state legislature to the people in the form of a popular vote. HJR 10 would bring that power back to the state legislature.

"Our Constitutional fathers wanted to create two legislative bodies: the 'House of the People', in which each state would be represented according to population, and the Senate, which was intended to represent the states," said Rep. Behning. "They feared an imperial, 'super-government' more than anything. The various state legislatures were supposed to most closely govern citizens."

"This is fundamentally a states' rights issue," said Rep. Frizzell. "The election or appointment of a Senator is a significant decision, and changing the Seventeenth Amendment would bring that decision back to the state."

The resolution was introduced exactly one year after Illinois Senator Roland Burris finally filled the vacancy left by Barack Obama. Senator Burris' appointment was clouded by scandal involving former governor Rod Blagojevich, who is accused of trying to sell that Senate seat appointment in exchange for campaign contributions.

"HJR 10 is really just one more way to provide the checks and balances which are the cornerstone of American democracy," said Rep. Behning. "U.S. Senators should be held accountable to state legislators, who are even closer to constituents, and not to popularity contests, special interests in Washington or the whims of a single governor."

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Rep.s Behning and Frizzell can be reached by phone at 1-800-382-9841

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