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6/3/2026
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House, Senate OK Solomon, Britto resolution to reverse General Assembly support of pro-slavery amendment
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STATE HOUSE — Following a vote in the House of Representatives today, both the House and Senate have given their approval to a resolution (2026-H 7579, 2026-S 3264) sponsored by Rep. Joseph J. Solomon Jr. and Sen. Robert Britto to reverse the General Assembly’s support of a pro-slavery constitutional amendment from 1861.
“The fact that Rhode Island remains a signatory on this awful amendment is an embarrassing blot on this state and this General Assembly, especially in light of the fact that a mere four years later, this same legislature would overwhelmingly ratify the 13th Amendment, banning slavery for good,” said Representative Solomon (D-Dist. 22, Warwick). “I’m proud that the General Assembly has joined me to unanimously right this historic wrong and bring some justice that’s 165 years overdue.”
Just before the start of the Civil War, Congress made a last-ditch effort to appease the southern states by passing a constitutional amendment that, if ratified, would have constitutionally protected slavery for all time. The Corwin Amendment, named after Thomas Corwin, the Ohio congressman who sponsored it, just squeaked out the two-thirds majority it needed in Congress before being sent out to the state legislatures for ratification.
“It’s incredible and unconscionable that the same state that sent 25,000 men off to fight for the Union in the Civil War — 2,000 of whom would sacrifice their lives — could also support a constitutional amendment that would have kept four million people in chains,” said Senator Britto (D-Dist. 18, East Providence, Pawtucket). “This amendment was nothing more than an attempt at appeasement of the southern states to avoid a war. It was embarrassing, cowardly and most importantly, not representative of Rhode Island.”
Had the amendment received approval from three-fourths of the states, it would have become part of the U.S. Constitution, but the southern states all seceded shortly thereafter and the amendment died. But while it never gained any traction, five states, Kentucky, Illinois, Maryland, Ohio and Rhode Island, gave the amendment their seal of approval.
The Rhode Island House of Representatives approved ratification of the amendment, 43-18 on May 31, 1861. The Senate passed it unanimously.
Speaker of the House Christopher R. Blazejewski (D-Dist. 2, Providence) and Senate President Valarie J. Lawson (D-Dist. 14, East Providence) issued a statement saying, “As we prepare to join millions of fellow Americans in celebrating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, formally repealing the Corwin Amendment represents an important and long-overdue step for our state. The realities of our shared history are complex and, at times, challenging or uncomfortable to confront. But addressing this shameful episode from Rhode Island's past allows us to collectively reaffirm our deeply held commitment to the values that define our state and our country — those of liberty, equality and justice. We appreciate the work of Representative Solomon, Senator Britto and the other lawmakers and supporters who have helped to bring this resolution forward.”
Three states have since rescinded their ratification, most recently Illinois in 2022, leaving only Rhode Island and Kentucky as signatories. The Corwin Amendment would have prevented any change to the U.S. Constitution that sought to interfere with a state’s “domestic institutions,” including “that of persons held to labor or service by the laws of said State.”
Each chamber is expected to approve the other’s resolution before they’re transmitted to the national archivist and the U.S. Congress.
For more information, contact:
Daniel Trafford, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-1922
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