Crapo, Risch oppose platform
GOP seeking repeal of 17th Amendment
IDAHO FALLS – U.S. Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, both Republicans, say they oppose repealing the 17th Amendment, a goal approved by the Idaho Republican Party at its convention last month.
The 17th Amendment was adopted in 1913 after a decade of problems with state legislatures unable to agree on a candidate to fill vacant U.S. Senate seats. The move for change also gained traction amid bribery scandals that led to some senators being removed from office.
An Idaho GOP committee narrowly passed a measure last month at the convention to include language in the state party’s platform that seeks to nullify the amendment.
“The platform on the 17th Amendment is one I disagree with,” Crapo told the Post Register newspaper in Idaho Falls. “I think senators should be elected by popular vote.”
Risch rejected arguments that states’ rights would increase by having state lawmakers pick U.S. senators.
“How can you be more accountable to the states than if you have to stand up and face the electorate?” he told the newspaper.
Idaho Gov. Butch Otter on Friday released a statement saying he sympathized with supporters of the resolution but declined to state his own position.
For the amendment to be repealed, at least 34 of the 50 states would have to approve.