Convention Of States: Could It Happen?

A move is underway, perhaps a quiet move, to give more governing authority to the people.

The man or woman you're apt to see at church, the grocery store, or the community 4th of July fireworks celebration.

There is a growing number of Americans---some very influential-- that believe power should return to the states, and that the states have the authority to claim this power under the document many now seek to revise: the U.S. Constitution.

A closer look at Article V.

Be informed, not misled.

Back in 2014 a New York Times #1 bestseller – author, media personality, and former advisor in the Reagan administration Mark Levin says Americans should return power to the states; and that the states have the authority to claim this power. 

What is an Article V Convention?

Article V of the U.S. Constitution gives states the power to call a convention to propose amendments. It takes 34 states to call the convention and 38 to ratify any amendments that are proposed. The convention being promoted would only allow the states to discuss amendments that, “limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, impose fiscal restraints, and place term limits on federal officials.”

Levin says backing this movement is a no-brainer for conservatives.

Opponents say the Constitution lacks guidelines for what an Article V convention would look like and would therefore result in chaos followed by legal battles. Levin sees it differently.

Common Cause says, "Wealthy donors, corporations, and radical far-right actors are pushing calls for an Article V Convention in states across the country to reshape our Constitution for their own benefit."

"Frighteningly," they say, "they are just a few states away from succeeding."

Is this true? 

The Convention of States movement says, "You better believe it! Since the Convention of States launched in 2013, we’ve been spreading like wildfire. With millions of supporters nationwide, we have petition signers in every single state house district across America. We’re actively working in all fifty states to pass the Convention of States Resolution."

Some of the people supporting this movement are David Barton, Mike Huckabee, Rick Santorum, Sen. Marco Rubio, Eric Metaxes, and Dr. James Dobson. Sarah Palin, Sean Hannity, Charlie Kirk, Lt. Col. Allen West, Rand Paul, Mark Levin, Ben Shapiro, Kirk Cameron, Rand Paul, Gov. Ron DeSantis, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Dr. Ben Carson, and many, many others.

Rick Santorum says, "Washington won't fix Washington. That's why we must look to the people and to the states."

"The Framers of the Constitution in Philadelphia put this language in Article V to allow for two ways to amend the Constitution. Both of them are very difficult by design," Levin said Friday on American Family Radio's program with Jenna Ellis.

The first requires the House and Senate to pass a proposed amendment each by a two-thirds majority. Once that happens the bill would be presented to the states. This is the route taken by all current constitutional amendments.

The second is to call a Constitutional Convention, an act that requires the approval of two-thirds of state legislatures. The magic number just to get approval for the convention is 34 states; once there, passing proposed amendments would require the approval of 38 states.

Could this actually happen?

ConventionofStates.com says in addition to the 19 states that have passed the resolution seeking a convention, another seven have passed it in one legislative chamber. Another 14 states are discussing it.

The Convention of States project is led by Citizens for Self-Governance, an organization that seeks to provide resources, advocacy, and education for like-minded groups and individuals.

It's a quiet movement.

Despite receiving those endorsements, the Convention of States hasn't received much media coverage.

"This has been a fairly low-profile process," Levin told show host Jenna Ellis. "You know, and I know, and I think your listeners know that Washington is not going to reform Washington. Congress is not going to say, 'You know what? We're too big, we're too strong, we're violating the Constitution.' People complain about this, but writing your congressman is not going to fix it."

Whether it happens this time remains to be seen, but Americans should thank George Mason that the opportunity exists. As Levin explained, Mason – the author of Virginia's Declaration of Rights in 1776 – came up with the method that allows states to bypass Congress and amend the U.S. Constitution.

Takeaway

Levin says getting behind the convention movement is a no-brainer for conservatives.

"[Democrats] oppose Federalism, they oppose representative government, they oppose Constitutionalism, and we support it. Now if you want to get it back, if you want to at least try to get it back in some significant way, then you'll support the Convention of the States. If you just want to whine about it and rub your hands and complain, then you won't. It's that simple."

Be Informed. Be Discerning. Be Vigilant. Be Engaged. Be Prayerful.