| − | The committee was established in 1916, in response to the ratification of the [[17th Amendment]] to the [[U.S. Constitution|constitution]] which provided for the direct election of [[Senators]]. The committee was reorganized and became recognized by its current name in 1948. | + | The committee was established in 1916, in response to the ratification of the [[17th Amendment]] to the [[U.S. Constitution|constitution]] which provided for the direct election of [[Senators]]. The committee was reorganized and renamed to its current name in 1948. |