The Seventeenth Amendment (1913) was one of several constitutional amendments ratified during the Progressive Era no How did the amendment change the U. S. Political system? The Seventeenth Amendment (1913) was one of several constitutional amendments ratified during the Progressive Era no How did the amendment change the U. S. Political system? It created a second representative assembly in Congress. It increased the number of senators representing each state. It gave voters more direct control over the election of senators. It added to the political power of state legislatures.

The 17th amendment states, "The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote." This amendment was passed during the progressive era. The goal of this era was social reform and minimizing corruption in the government. This amendment was important to the era because it gave the people more power and took some from government officials. Thus, showing progressive policymaking. Before this amendment, senators were elected by state legislators. So, the passage of this amendment gave the people more direct power over the government in their country.