I will soon be introducing a concurrent resolution calling for a limited Article V Convention of States to propose amendments related to fiscal restraints for the Federal government, limitations on the powers and jurisdiction of the federal government and term limits for Members of the U.S. Congress and federal officials.

Sometimes people ponder what would happen if really bad amendments to the U.S. Constitution were proposed at a convention and the answer is the same thing that would happen if the U.S. Congress proposed really bad amendments.

Congress could meet today and pass Resolutions by a 2/3 vote to propose amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Those amendments would not become effective until 3/4 of the states, 38 states, ratified them. If a convention was held any proposed amendments would not become effective until 3/4 of the states ratify them. If either method were used to propose really bad amendments, it is not likely that 38 states would vote to ratify them. Proposed amendments eliminating the freedom of speech, eliminating the right to a fair trial, eliminating the right to vote, eliminating the right to own and bear arms, eliminating the office of President and replacing it with a king, etc. would never get the support to be ratified in 38 states. Anyone concerned that a convention could propose amendments like these should be equally concerned any day that the U.S. Congress meets because they could propose the exact same amendments.

The convention would be limited to the three topics listed in the first sentence so really bad amendments regarding our freedoms would not be proposed anyway. The convention would not have the authority to address any proposed amendments other than the topics specifically listed in the resolutions passed by at least 2/3 of the states. And those proposed amendments would not be effective until   of the states ratified them.

Our official National Debt is now over $36 trillion. The real amount if considering unfunded liabilities in Social Security, Medicare, Federal employee post-employment benefits is over $100 trillion. It is a financial crisis that will eventually collapse our currency and be financially devastating to every American. The U.S. Congress will not address the deficit or debt so it will take an amendment to do it.

The Federal government has far exceeded what it is allowed to be involved with as listed in the enumerated powers of the U.S. Constitution. Individual rights and states' rights are continuously infringed by an out-of-control Federal government and the U.S. Congress will not address it so it will take an amendment to do it.

The U.S. Congress will not address term limits for Members. In many ways, unelected and unaccountable federal officials have more power than elected officials and they need to have a maximum limit in how long they can stay in their positions. It will take an amendment to do it.

The alternatives are to keep doing the exact same thing and expecting different results from the U.S. Congress or empowering the states to address these issues.

So far 19 states have passed resolutions for these proposed amendments. It takes 34 states for a convention to be called. If you would like to support this resolution to have PA be state 20, please consider signing on.