Could Bill Clinton Serve in the Senate?

Assuming New York Sen. Hillary Clinton is eventually confirmed to be the next Secretary of State, a replacement will be needed to fill her Senate seat. Her husband, Former President Bill Clinton, has been mentioned as a possibility. Could he do that? Can a former president return to serve in Congress?

Yes. While the Constitution prevents them from holding the office of president again, former presidents can and have returned to serve in Congress.

Two years after failing to win re-election in 1882, President John Quincy Adams was elected to represent his home state of Massachusetts in the House of Representatives. He served until his death in 1884.

In 1875, President Andrew Johnson, representing Tennessee, served briefly in the Senate, where he had been acquitted of impeachment charges in 1868.

New York's Democratic Governor David Paterson will select the person to serve the next two years of Sen. Clinton's term. A special election in November 2010 will be held to determine who fills the final two years of her term.

Also See:
Requirements to be a U.S. Senator
Requirements to be a U.S. Representative