James Madison wanted to join Congress so he could amend the new Constitution. Patrick Henry was determined to stop him.
James Madison and the Struggle for the Bill of RightsWhen the Supreme Court decided earlier this summer that federal judges cannot interfere if states draw election district boundaries that favor the party in power, Chief Justice John Roberts invoked the Founding Fathers. Even James Madison had been the target of gerrymandering, Roberts wrote in the 5-4, using that as evidence to show the founders tolerated this practice and viewed it as an unavoidable part of our political system.
But Henry was determined to stop Madison from proposing a bill of rights in Congress. Henry and other Anti-Federalists did not oppose a bill of rights, but what Henry really wanted was a second constitutional convention. A new convention, he believed, was a chance to weaken the new government by rewriting the Constitution or proposing amendments that would return power to the states, similar to what they had under the Articles of Confederation.
The election took place on February 2, 1789, and Madison won by 336 votes—1,308 to 972. He introduced the Bill of Rights on June 8, 1789, about three months into the new Congress. That makes the congressional election of 1789 one of the most important elections in the nation’s history—one that resulted in the precious amendments that are the foundation of our freedom today.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Billionaire Bill Ackman Explains Why He Invested 11% Of His Fund In Berkshire HathawayBillionaire Bill Ackman lays out why he invested nearly $700 million in Berkshire Hathaway.
Read more »
Nixing Silicon Valley, US companies are now tapping Canada for tech talentFacing a skills shortage and skyrocketing costs in Silicon Valley, more U.S. companies — such as Amazon, Google and Facebook — are going to Canada to tap tech talent and open satellite offices.
Read more »
Nearly 400,000 people have signed a petition to name the street outside of Trump Tower 'President Barack H. Obama Ave.'The petition requested New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio rename a stretch of Fifth Avenue after the 44th U.S. president.
Read more »
Protecting Singapore from rising sea levels could cost S$100 billionProtecting Singapore against rising sea levels could cost S$100 billion ($72 bil...
Read more »
What's Up with Trump's Brilliant Plan to Buy Greenland?Which costs more: buying a country or buying an election?
Read more »