RI H7579

Rhode Island would rescind its May 31, 1861 ratification of the Corwin Amendment, a proposed U.S. Constitutional amendment that would have permanently protected slavery from federal interference

The Corwin Amendment was proposed by Congress on March 2, 1861 to prevent Southern secession and has never been ratified by three-fourths of states required for adoption

The amendment was submitted without a ratification deadline, meaning it could theoretically still be ratified, similar to the 27th Amendment which took 203 years (1789-1992) to ratify

Certified copies of the rescission would be sent to the U.S. Archivist, President, congressional leadership, and Rhode Island's congressional delegation for inclusion in the Congressional Record

The resolution declares the Corwin Amendment's purpose moot following the Civil War and ratification of the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery