Resignation from the United States Senate facts for kids

A Senator is a person elected to represent their state in the U.S. Senate. Sometimes, a Senator might decide to leave their job before their term is over. This is called a resignation. When a Senator resigns, they write a letter to the governor of their state.

According to the Constitution of the United States, specifically Article I, Section 3, and the Seventeenth Amendment, if a Senate seat becomes empty because someone resigned, the state's governor can usually choose someone to temporarily fill that spot. This temporary appointment lasts until a special election can be held, if state laws require one. When a new Senator needs to be chosen, the Secretary of the Senate sends forms to the governor to help them officially appoint or elect the new Senator.

The very first Senator to resign was William Paterson from New Jersey on November 13, 1790. He left his Senate job to become the Governor of New Jersey. This was only the third time someone stopped being a Senator since the Senate first started in 1789. The other two times were because a Senator passed away or a temporary Senator's term ended.

Many Senators have resigned throughout history. In 1796, a record nine Senators resigned, which is still the highest number in a single year. Most Senators resign either because they are not well or because they want to take on a different job. Some people have even resigned from the Senate more than once!

How a Senator Resigns

When a Senator decides to leave their position, they must formally resign. This usually involves sending a letter to their state's governor. This letter makes their resignation official.

Filling a Vacant Senate Seat

Once a Senator resigns, their seat becomes empty. The governor of that state then has the power to appoint a new person to fill the spot temporarily. This is allowed by the U.S. Constitution. The state's laws decide if and when a special election will be held to choose a permanent replacement. This ensures that each state always has its full representation in the Senate.

Why Senators Resign

Senators resign for many different reasons. These reasons can include health issues, taking on a new job, or even facing problems with their conduct.

Taking a New Job

A common reason for Senators to resign is to accept another important job. This new job might be:

• Becoming a governor of their state.
• Becoming the President or Vice President.
• Joining the President's team as a Cabinet Secretary, like the Secretary of State or Secretary of the Treasury.
• Becoming a judge in a federal court, like the Supreme Court.
• Becoming an ambassador to another country.

For example, William Paterson resigned in 1790 to become the Governor of New Jersey. More recently, Kamala Harris resigned in 2021 to become the Vice President of the United States.

Health Reasons

Sometimes, Senators resign because of health problems. The job of a Senator can be very demanding, and if a Senator's health makes it difficult to do their work, they might choose to step down. For example, Robert Wagner resigned in 1949 due to health issues.

Other Reasons for Resignation

Senators can also resign for other personal or professional reasons. These might include:

• Wanting to pursue a career outside of politics.
• Allowing their replacement to be appointed early, especially if they were not planning to run for re-election.
• Facing serious questions about their actions or conduct. For instance, William A. Clark resigned in 1900 before the Senate could vote on issues related to his election. Harrison A. Williams resigned in 1982 after being found guilty of accepting gifts, before the Senate could vote to remove him.

Notable Resignations (1950 to Present)

Here are some examples of Senators who have resigned since 1950:

• Richard Nixon of California resigned on January 1, 1953, to become the Vice President of the United States.
• John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts resigned on December 22, 1960, to become the President of the United States.
• Lyndon Johnson of Texas resigned on January 3, 1961, to become the Vice President of the United States.
• Hubert Humphrey of Minnesota resigned on December 29, 1964, to become the Vice President of the United States.
• Walter Mondale of Minnesota resigned on December 30, 1976, to become the Vice President of the United States.
• Edmund Muskie of Maine resigned on May 7, 1980, to become the United States Secretary of State.
• Dan Quayle of Indiana resigned on January 3, 1989, to become the Vice President of the United States.
• Pete Wilson of California resigned on January 7, 1991, to become the Governor of California.
• Al Gore of Tennessee resigned on January 2, 1993, to become the Vice President of the United States.
• Bob Packwood of Oregon resigned on October 1, 1995, after the Senate Ethics Committee suggested he should be removed due to issues with his conduct.
• Bob Dole of Kansas resigned on June 11, 1996, to run for President of the United States.
• Frank Murkowski of Alaska resigned on December 2, 2002, to become the Governor of Alaska.
• Jon Corzine of New Jersey resigned on January 17, 2006, to become the Governor of New Jersey.
• Barack Obama of Illinois resigned on November 16, 2008, to become the President of the United States.
• Joe Biden of Delaware resigned on January 15, 2009, to become the Vice President of the United States.
• Hillary Clinton of New York resigned on January 21, 2009, to become the United States Secretary of State.
• John Kerry of Massachusetts resigned on February 1, 2013, to become the United States Secretary of State.
• Jeff Sessions of Alabama resigned on February 8, 2017, to become the United States Attorney General.
• Thad Cochran of Mississippi resigned on April 1, 2018, because of health issues.
• Johnny Isakson of Georgia resigned on December 31, 2019, because of health issues.
• Kamala Harris of California resigned on January 18, 2021, to become the Vice President of the United States.
• Ben Sasse of Nebraska resigned on January 8, 2023, to become the President of the University of Florida.
• Bob Menendez of New Jersey is set to resign on August 20, 2024, due to accusations of accepting gifts.