LETTERS

Re “Rod’s Law? Don’t need it,” editorial, April 2

The Times’ editorial sidesteps the central issue in the debate over gubernatorial appointments to fill vacant Senate seats -- that these appointments deprive Americans of the right to elect their own senators. Throughout our history, the Constitution has been amended to expand the right to vote. But allowing governors to appoint senators infringes on that right.

Our proposed amendment would ensure that the people of a given state get to choose who will represent them in the U.S. Senate.

This isn’t about any one recent appointment, though the circumstances surrounding the recent appointment of senators from Illinois and elsewhere are good examples of why this reform is needed. It’s about making sure members of Congress are elected by, and responsive to, the people. Testimony at a recent joint House-Senate hearing on the amendment made clear that leaving a state with one senator for the short period needed to hold a special election would not be a significant problem.

Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.)

Rep. David Dreier (R-San Dimas)

Washington

The writers are the leading sponsors of the amendment in the Senate and the House, respectively.