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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.
But couldn't those powerful interests bribe senators anyway, whether elected by the people or by the state legislature?
It led to the Fed
It led to the Civil Rights Act.
It led to the ability of powerful interests to bribe a handful of Senators, instead of having to bribe dozens of the majority in State legislatures.
By the way, check out who got the CRA of 1964 passed. The real worst President, as bad or worse than Obama (who wouldn't have had half the tools to do half as much) in the 20th Century and maybe the worst of all time.