A brief overview of Convention of States
For decades the federal government has been growing in power. In just this century alone, from TSA to Obamacare to COVID-19 mandates, the government has continued to abuse its expanding power as unelected Bureaucrats continue to make sweeping decisions for the nation. However, many Americans have grown tired of big government overreach, and more and more are turning to the Constitution to defend not only their rights, but all American’s rights. More specifically, they are turning to Article V of the Constitution.
Article V allows us to call a Convention of States to restrict power and jurisdiction of the federal government, taking back power from the ruling elite and giving back to the people. This convention could propose constitutional amendments that impose fiscal restraints on the federal government and limit terms in office for its officials and members of Congress. Amendments that fall under this category include limits on executive orders, limits on federal spending and taxation, limiting terms in office for Congress and the Supreme Court, and many others.
It is important to note that an Article V Convention is NOT a Constitutional Convention. A Constitutional Convention proposes a new Constitution that only binds the states that ratify it. It is called by the states, requiring unanimous consent of states to be bound and works outside of the current Constitution with full and unlimited powers. An Article V Convention, however, does not propose a new constitution, but rather proposes amendments to the current Constitution. Its power is limited to subject of state applications, working under Article V of the Constitution. Furthermore, an Article V convention does not need unanimous consent of states to be called, but rather two-thirds of all states (34 states) and is ratified by three-fourths of the states (38 states) and binds all states.
Kansas Representatives have voted on whether to join the Convention of States back in early March. A total of 84 votes were needed to join, but only 76 Representatives voted in favor of doing so. There were 43 votes against joining including 31 Democrats and 12 Republicans. These included Representatives Alcala, Amyx, Awerkamp, Baker, Ballard, Borjon, Byers, Carmichael, Clayton, Collins, Curtis, Featherston, Gartner, Haswood, Henderson, Highberger, Houser, Hoye, Jacobs, Kuether, Meyer, Neighbor, Ohaebosim, Ousley, Poskin, Probst, L. Ruiz, S. Ruiz, Samsel, Sawyer, Schmidt, Schreiber, Stogsdill, Thompson, Toplikar, Vaughn, Victors, Weigel, Wheeler, Winn, Wolfe Moore, Woodard, and Xu. Another six Representatives were not there and not voting.
As of now, 19 states are for a Convention of States with West Virginia and South Carolina being the two newest to join this year. Other states in favor of a Convention of States include Alaska, Arizona, Utah, North Dakota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Wisconsin, Indiana, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. States that are close to passing include North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. Should these three states join, the Convention of States will realize their goal of 22 states in 2022. Convention of States will also be working to get Kansas passed in 2023 when it can be voted on again.
On Monday, April 25, Olathe will have a grassroots meeting for community members interested in the Convention of States at Indian Creek Olathe Library, 7:00 - 8:00 PM. 16100 W. 135th St. and on that same day Lawrence will have a Lawrence Area Convention of States grassroots meeting at 6:00 PM at Johnny’s Tavern West, 721 Wakarusa (SW Corner), Lawrence, Kansas 66049. On Saturday, April 30, a Fellowship for Freedom Rally will occur at the State Capitol in Topeka. If you would like to show your support, you can go to conventionofstates.com and sign the petition. There, you can also learn more information about the grassroots project and become a volunteer or even a leader for the Convention of States.