The Kentucky General Assembly has passed a bill that would strip Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear of his ability to appoint senators.
under Current Kentucky Law, the governor is authorized to “fill vacancies in the United States Senate by appointment, and such appointees shall serve until their successors have been elected.” However, there are existing limitations on the governor’s powers, such that when a vacancy occurs, the governor must choose a successor from a list of three provided by the outgoing senator’s party.
but new bill requires If the seat becomes vacant before the end of the six-year term, a special election will be held and the governor will be completely excluded from the replacement process.
The Kentucky General Assembly passed the bill by an 88-4 vote earlier this month. The state Senate passed it Thursday by a vote of 34-3.
The bill will now go to Beshear’s desk for approval, but it doesn’t matter whether he signs it or not. That’s because Kentucky Republicans hold a veto-proof majority in Congress.
Beshear dealt with Last month, Republicans accused him of further restricting his powers with changes planned for next month. He cited his successful reelection bid as proof that Kentuckians agree with him.
“We are not practicing good government if we are controlled by trying to produce results based on what letters are added after someone’s name when they are appointed. “We’re not practicing good government,” Beshear said. “Last November, people said, ‘No more. We don’t want candidates or a General Assembly that only looks at Team R or Team D, or red or blue. We want good government that cares about the people. I’m here.”
But Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams (R) said changes are necessary.
That’s because, according to Adams, Beshear never committed to complying with the listing rules. claimed “It unreasonably and unconstitutionally limits the governor’s authority.”
“If Kentucky’s Senate seat were to become vacant, which is unacceptable, our state would be without representation until a special election can be held, as Governor Beshear has frequently done. Just because they refuse to abide by the law, as they do,” Adams said. Said.
The Kentucky Republican Party moved to change its vacancy filling process after Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) announced he would step down from his leadership role. But McConnell plans to remain in the Senate until his term ends in 2027.
But state lawmakers denied that the process change was related to McConnell’s plans or his advanced age.
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