Can Connecticut recall Lieberman?

[Horse with no Name]

Just wondering...because if they can...would be a good time to put that in progress.

[NYCGirl]

1. First, they'd have to want to. NT

[Fresh_Start]

2. No, no such provision in their constitution

regretfully

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

3. It would be unconstitutional

There is precedent for the expulsion of a Senator. I believe one Senator was expelled in the early 1800s named Blount and several at the start of the Civil War. It's uncertain whether or not impeachment would be possible. In the case of Senator Blount, impeachment was dropped because he had already been expelled and it was questionable whether there was jurisdiction over him.

Article II, Sec. 4 of the Constitution states that "The President, Vice President and all civil officers of the United States, shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors."

Apparently, there's a debate as to whether a Senator is a "civil officer of the United States" under the definition, as the language has never been interpreted by a court.

I'm not sure what expulsion would do. Perhaps a Senator expelled from the Senate might still hold the title, but would no longer has the ability to function. But I'm not sure what the actual consequences of expulsion would be.

[Bluebear]

4. Well, they elected it.

Why do you think they would be savvy enough to recall him now?

[Freddie Stubbs]

5. No. Federal officials are not subject to recall, but

perhaps when he is up for reelction another candidate will get more votes than he does. That's how Senators are elected.

[RaleighNCDUer]

6. Originally, senators were appointed by the states, not voted upon

by the public the way representatives are or senators are today. Therefore, the state COULD recall a senator. I don't know if this changed when we changed the process of selecting senators.

[Freddie Stubbs]

7. The 17 Amendment provided for popular election of Senators

Amendment XVII
The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each state, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each state shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the state legislatures.


When vacancies happen in the representation of any state in the Senate, the executive authority of such state shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, that the legislature of any state may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.


This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution.

http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.amendmentxvii.html

Even when Senators were elected by the state legislators, they served fixed terms of six years which could not be shortened.

[RaleighNCDUer]

8. Thanks. With recall out of the question,

how about impeachment? That is certainly allowable, if hardly possible. Unfortunately, you can't impeach someone for being a butthead.

[Freddie Stubbs]

9. Legislators are not subject to impeachment

the only way to remove them would be for them to be expelled, but that would require a 2/3 vote.