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SALT LAKE CITY — A resolution calling for a repeal of the 17th Amendment narrowly passed the House on Wednesday with a vote of 39-34.
The 17th Amendment allows U.S. senators to be elected by the people, rather than by a state's legislature.
"Not only did Utah not ratify the 17th Amendment, we officially rejected the 17th Amendment. We were one of only two states to do that," said floor sponsor Rep. Ken Ivory, R-West Jordan.
SJR2 asks Congress to "restore the union of states," according to Ivory.
Not only did Utah not ratify the 17th Amendment, we officially rejected the 17th Amendment. We were one of only two states to do that.
–Rep. Ken Ivory, R-West Jordan
Rep. LaVar Christensen, R-Draper, called the 17th Amendment one of the "most unfortunate mistakes that our country has made" and a "major, major dilution in the intent and benefits of the Constitution as originally adopted."
Rep. Joel Briscoe, D-Salt Lake City, said that while he understood the theories behind repealing the amendment, going back to "the good old days" may not be what it seems.
Some states would become "deadlocked" over who their senators were, and sometimes went years without representation, he said.
Briscoe predicted that although repealing the amendment may do away with multimillion dollar campaigns, state legislature campaigns would become "proxy elections."
"I'm not for turning back the clock on the 17th Amendment," Briscoe said.
Fellow Democrat Brian King agreed.
"I would submit to you that this is a terrible idea. It just isn't supported by anything that I can find as good sense or good logic," the Salt Lake City representative and minority leader said.
When it became clear that the resolution wasn't going to get the necessary 38 votes, Ivory sent out a call for the missing legislators.
The resolution passed the Senate last week with a vote of 20-6 and does not require action from the governor. Email: elarson@deseretnews.com
