“As Americans we have to stand up across the nation against the federal government. God granted us freedoms, not the federal government. Article V gives us a way to rebalance power in the federal government.”

Tom Coburn, former U.S. Senator from Oklahoma / Source: Convention of the States Project event

Today’s America faces a growing imbalance of power between the federal government and the states. America faces an unsustainable trajectory of our nation’s finances and an entrenchment of career politicians in our federal government.

According to Pew Research, about a third of the public is extremely (15%) or very concerned (19%) that “the federal government is doing too much on issues better left to state governments”. 35% were “somewhat concerned about this occurring” for a total of two-thirds of the public having some concern about federal encroachment.

Moreover, 57% of Americans cited reducing the budget deficit as a top priority for the president and Congress to address this year, but over and over Congress continues to raise the debt ceiling. What can be done when Congress lacks political will and continues to kick the can down to the next generation?

Our founding fathers, foreseeing the potential need for constitutional amendments to address such challenges, wisely provided us with the mechanism of a convention of the states as outlined in Article V of the Constitution. By utilizing this tool, we can collaboratively propose amendments that restore the balance of power, ensure fiscal responsibility, and establish term limits for federal officials, thereby safeguarding our founding principles and the liberties of the American people for the next generation.

Understanding the Convention of the States

The convention of the states, also known as an Article V Convention, is a process by which amendments to the United States Constitution can be proposed. It involves two-thirds (currently 34) of the state legislatures passing resolutions, or “applications,” calling for a convention to propose specific amendments. Once the threshold is reached, Congress must call a convention for this purpose. Each state sends delegates to the convention, who then discuss, draft, and vote on proposed amendments. Any amendments proposed must be ratified by three-fourths (currently 38) of the state legislatures or state ratifying conventions, depending on the method of ratification chosen by Congress.

Current Promotion of the Convention of the States

In recent years, there has been a resurgence in the promotion of a convention of the states, driven by various organizations and individuals who believe that the federal government has overstepped its bounds and that the Constitution must be amended to restore the balance of power between the federal government and the states.

Organizations and Advocates

One of the leading organizations promoting the convention of the states is the Convention of States Project, a nationwide effort that advocates for a convention to propose amendments focused on limiting federal power, imposing fiscal restraints, and setting term limits for federal officials.

As of March 2022, 19 state legislatures have passed a Convention of States (COS) resolutions, seven partially-passed COS resolutions, and 10+ other states are actively working through legislation to pass one.

Key Issues Proposed for the Convention of the States

The convention of the states movement aims to address a range of issues through constitutional amendments. Some of the key issues being proposed include:

Limiting Federal Power

The federal government has grown too large and powerful, encroaching on the rights of the states and individual citizens.

In recent years, Republicans have made significant strides in shifting power back to the states and promoting a more limited role for the central government. This effort has been driven by the growing dominance of Republicans in state legislatures and the increasing conservatism of the federal judiciary. Key strategies have included:

• Challenging the authority and discretion of federal administrative agencies
• Advocating for states’ rights
• Promoting conservative approaches to personal liberties
• Preempting local policy authority

By advancing these initiatives, Republicans have made strides to decentralize power and redefine the relationship between the federal government and the states, reshaping the American political landscape in the process.

However, by proposing amendments that limits federal power, the Convention of the States can help restore the original intent of the Constitution and protect states’ rights.

Imposing Fiscal Restraints

Another key issue is the need for fiscal responsibility within the federal government. Advocates for a convention of the states believe that amendments imposing strict fiscal restraints, such as a balanced budget requirement or limitations on federal spending, could help address the growing national debt and promote responsible governance.

In his book “The Debt Bomb: A Bold Plan to Stop Washington from Bankrupting America,” former U.S. Senator Tom Coburn provides an alarming and insightful look into the growing national debt crisis and its potential consequences for the United States. Coburn argues that unsustainable spending, government inefficiency, and the influence of special interests in Washington have led to a ticking fiscal time bomb that threatens the nation’s economic future. He calls for bold, bipartisan action, including a convention of the states, to address the root causes of the crisis and proposes specific solutions to curb government waste, reduce the deficit, and restore fiscal responsibility, ultimately ensuring the long-term prosperity and stability of the nation.

Setting Term Limits for Federal Officials

The issue of term limits for federal officials, including members of Congress and the Supreme Court, is also central to the convention of the states movement. Proponents argue that term limits would help prevent the concentration of power and encourage fresh perspectives in government. According to U.S. Term Limits, “Term limits help to reduce corruption and sever lobbyists’ and bureaucrat’s ties with politicians making ex-lawmakers less valuable.”

As of the beginning of 2022, the average length of service for Representatives was 8.9 years (4.5 House terms) and 11.0 for Senators (1.8 Senate terms).

A 2021 national survey revealed widespread support for implementing term limits on members of Congress, with 80% of voters approving a Constitutional Amendment to enforce such limits. This support cuts across political, geographic, and demographic lines.

In a 1994 article written on Heritage Foundation:

“It is difficult to overstate the extent to which term limits would change Congress. They are supported by large majorities of most American demographic groups; they are opposed primarily by incumbent politicians and the special interest groups which depend on them. Term limits would ameliorate many of America’s most serious political problems by counterbalancing incumbent advantages, ensuring congressional turnover, securing independent congressional judgment, and reducing election-related incentives for wasteful government spending. Perhaps most important, Congress would acquire a sense of its own fragility and temporariness, possibly even coming to learn that it would acquire more legitimacy as an institution by doing better work on fewer tasks.”

Term Limits: The Only Way to Clean Up Congress, Dan Greenberg, Heritage Foundation, Aug. 1994

Conclusion

The convention of the states movement can address some of Washington, D.C.’s foundational issues through constitutional amendments. By invoking Article V of the Constitution, the balance of power can be restored between the federal government and the states, fiscal responsibility can be imposed, and term limits can be set for federal officials. America’s future will be preserved for another generation.

Washington, D.C., will never voluntarily relinquish its own power, no matter who is elected. The only rational conclusion is this: unless some political force outside of Washington, D.C., intervenes, the federal government will continue to bankrupt this nation, embezzle the legitimate authority of the states, and destroy the liberty of the people.

Convention of the States Action, Pocket Guide The Founders’ Constitutional Plan for
We the People to Secure America’s Future, 2023

FAQs

Has a convention of the states ever been held before?

No, a convention of the states has never been successfully called in U.S. history. All 27 amendments to the Constitution have been proposed by Congress and ratified by the states through the first method described in Article V.

How likely is it that a convention of the states will be called?

While interest in a convention of the states has grown in recent years, it remains uncertain whether enough state legislatures will pass the necessary resolutions to trigger a convention. The movement has gained some traction, but it still faces significant opposition and skepticism from various quarters.

What safeguards are in place to prevent a runaway convention?

While the risk of a runaway convention is a concern, several safeguards are in place to minimize this possibility. For example, the convention can only propose amendments, which must then be ratified by three-fourths of the states, providing a significant hurdle for any controversial or unintended proposals.

Quotes on the Convention of the States from Supporters

Here are some popular quotes from notable supporters of the convention of the states:

“The framers knew the Congress would be unwilling to admit its own abuses of power, so they specifically inserted this process for the states to reclaim their sovereignty.”

Mark Levin, conservative radio host and author
Source: “The Liberty Amendments: Restoring the American Republic”

“The only way to save the Constitution is to use the Constitution. The only solution big enough for the problem is an Article V Convention of States.”

Michael Farris, co-founder of the Convention of States Project / Source: Various Convention of States Project events

Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas:

“Our government was founded on the rule of law rather the caprice of man. That rule of law flows from our Constitution. That Constitutional foundations is now so often ignored that the Founders would hardly recognize it. Until we fix that foundation by restoring the rule of law all the repairs we seek through the policies you propose will never lead to lasting solutions.”

Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas / Source: “Restoring the Rule of Law with States Leading the Way”

“We need to talk about ideas that are big enough to unite an America that is suffering from the imperial nature of Washington.”

Ben Sasse, U.S. Senator from Nebraska / Source: Interview with The Blaze

“I’m a big believer in the Convention of States. I think it’s our only hope for reining in the federal government.”

Rand Paul, U.S. Senator from Kentucky / Source: Interview with The Daily Caller