JOINT RESOLUTION REPEALING RHODE ISLAND'S RATIFICATION OF THE CORWIN AMENDMENT

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jonathon Acosta and 6 co-sponsors

Rhode Island would formally repeal its 1861 ratification of the Corwin Amendment, removing state support for a proposal that would limit federal power over states’ domestic institu

06/23/2026 Signed by Governor

Basic Information

Bill: Joint Resolution (SR 3264)

Session: 2026

Jurisdiction: Rhode Island

Introduced: May 5, 2026

Introduced By / Sponsors: Senators Britto, Kallman, Acosta, Vargas, Tikoian, Murray, Zurier (co-sponsors: Lammis Vargas, David Tikoian, Meghan Kallman, Sam Zurier, Bob Britto, Jonathan Acosta, Melissa Murray)

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Purpose and Intent

The bill seeks to repeal Rhode Island’s ratification of the Corwin Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

The Corwin Amendment was a proposed amendment from 1861 intended to prevent Congress from altering or abolishing states’ domestic institutions, including slavery. It was proposed during the Civil War era and submitted to states for ratification with no deadline.

Rhode Island ratified the Corwin Amendment on May 31, 1861 (Resolution No. 4).

The resolution argues that the Corwin Amendment’s purposes are moot in light of the 13th Amendment (which abolished slavery) and the Civil War's outcomes. It also notes that ratification by enough states could, in theory, still occur belatedly, as happened with the 27th Amendment in 1992 after a long delay.

Key Provisions

Rescission of Ratification: The primary provision is to formally repeal Rhode Island’s ratification of the Corwin Amendment (described as Article XIII in the original Corwin Amendment text).

Certification and Communication:

Requires that a certified copy of the resolution be sent to:
Archivist of the United States
President of the United States
President and Secretary of the U.S. Senate
Speaker and Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives
Each member of Rhode Island’s congressional delegation
Request that the resolution be printed verbatim in the Congressional Record.

Affected Parties and Impact

State-Level: Rhode Island’s formal position on the Corwin Amendment would be reversed, removing any official state-level support for an amendment that would constrain federal power over states’ domestic institutions.

Federal/Constitutional Implications: The action does not change current law or constitutional text by itself; it alters Rhode Island’s historical endorsement and signals the state’s stance regarding the Corwin Amendment going forward.

Public Record: The resolution would be part of the public record and submitted for dissemination to federal bodies and the state’s delegation, making the repeal publicly known.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Status: Introduced May 5, 2026; referred to Senate Judiciary.

No Immediate Effective Date Specified: As a joint resolution, it would require passage by both chambers (and signatures) to take formal effect, with dissemination to federal bodies as described.

Contextual Timing: The measure acknowledges historical ratification dating to 1861 and is framed around mootness due to the 13th Amendment, yet seeks formal legislative action to repeal.

Summary in Plain Terms

SR 3264 asks Rhode Island to formally retract its 1861 vote ratifying a proposed constitutional amendment (the Corwin Amendment) that would have restricted Congress from interfering with states’ domestic institutions, including slavery. The bill directs state officials to forward certified copies of the repeal to federal lawmakers and to have the repeal printed in the Congressional Record. The aim is to clarify Rhode Island’s current position and remove any longstanding, albeit historical, support for the Corwin Amendment.

Bill