The Solution
We are approaching a crossroads
One path leads to the escalating power of an irresponsible centralized government, ultimately resulting in the financial ruin of generations of Americans. The other path leads to the restoration of liberty and an American renaissance. The correct path can be found within Article V of the United States Constitution.
Because the Founders also foresaw the dangers of an overzealous centralized government, they provided a way for the states to combat federal overreach and make the necessary structural changes that would eliminate it permanently. The states have the authority to call for an Article V convention that will discuss and propose amendments to the Constitution that are limited to:
- Imposing fiscal restraints on the federal government.
- Limiting the power and jurisdiction of the federal government.
- Imposing term limits on federal officials, including members of Congress, staffers, and the judiciary.
An Article V convention serves the people by advancing a conversation among the states about how best to restore the balance of power. The states created the federal government, so it’s up to the states to rein in the federal government.
This is the definition of a constitutional republic—federalism in action.
How an Article V Convention Works
Step 1
The People Lead
Citizens ask state legislators to sponsor and support an Article V Convention Resolution.
Step 2
State Legislators Act
A state legislator sponsors the resolution and files it in his/her state legislature.
The resolution passes out of committee and floor votes in both chambers of the state legislature.
Step 3
Convention Called
When 34 states pass the resolution, the state legislatures choose commissioners to represent them at the convention.
States send as many commissioners as they choose, but each state only gets one vote.
Step 4
Amendments Proposed
Commissioners propose, debate, and vote on amendments limited to the resolution’s language. Proposed amendments outside of the limited subject matter of the resolution would be declared out of order by the parliamentarian and/or fellow commissioners.
Proposed amendments passed by a majority of state delegations are sent to the states for ratification.
Step 5
Amendments are Ratified
Proposed amendments only become valid if ratified by 38 states.
It only takes one legislative chamber in 13 states to stop an amendment from being added to the Constitution.
Step 6
The Constitution
is
Amended
EXPLORING THE SOLUTION
The Congress, whenever two thirds of both houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to this Constitution, or, on the application of the legislatures of two thirds of the several states, shall call a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the legislatures of three fourths of the several states, or by conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of ratification may be proposed by the Congress; provided that no amendment which may be made prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any manner affect the first and fourth clauses in the ninth section of the first article; and that no state, without its consent, shall be deprived of its equal suffrage in the Senate.
Article V, U.S. Constitution
Like Article V says, there are two methods to propose amendments to the Constitution.
- Congress can propose amendments to the Constitution at any time if 2/3 of both houses of Congress agree.
- An Article V convention can propose amendments if 2/3 of the states submit identical resolutions calling for such a convention.
The Founders knew the federal government might one day become drunk with the abuses of power. The most important check on this power is Article V. Article V gives states the power to call a convention for the purpose of proposing amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
By calling a convention, we can stop the federal spending and debt spree, the power grabs of the federal courts, and other misuses of federal power. The current situation is precisely what the Founders feared, and they gave us a solution that we have a duty to use.
After the states propose, debate, and vote upon the proposed amendments, they will be sent to the states for ratification. Three-quarters of the states must agree for any of the proposed amendments to be ratified.
Congress has no authority to stop such a process. The Founders made sure of that.
We are approaching a crossroads.
Which path will we choose?