Can I recall my US Senator or Representatives in Congress?

Question

I live in Texas, is there an effective proceedure to recall my senator or representatives in Congress? Has an online petition ever been effective at recalling a Senator or Congressman?

Answer 1

When you find out, let me know. Technically,the Constitution has no provision for removing a sitting senator or congressman. Some states have claimed the ability to remove members of the opposition party. In my home state of New Jersey, the GOP tried to remove an elected democrat but failed. The parties guard their power jealously, and have created a system to protect their own -- which therefore protects the opposition as well.

The Supreme Court has never ruled definitively whether a state's citizens can legally recall a federal employee (normally, the Constitution defers to the federal government in disputes with states).

Remarkably, many states don't even have a provision for recalling someone convicted and jailed for a crime! Some politicians have claimed they would serve while in prison, but their own party usually takes action at that point.