Posted on 11/07/2013 3:03:07 PM PST by Jacquerie
INDIANAPOLIS - The leader of the Indiana Senate has invited lawmakers from every state to join him Dec. 7 at Mount Vernon, George Washington's Virginia home, to discuss the state-led process for crafting amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
Senate President David Long, R-Fort Wayne, asks in a letter written to fellow legislative leaders that each state send a bipartisan group of three delegates to the "Mount Vernon Assembly."
He said the meeting will lay the groundwork for a Convention of the States that would, when established by Congress, propose amendments to change various provisions of the Constitution.
"The authors of the Constitution included a state-led amendment option as a check on a runaway federal government," Long said. "The dysfunction we see in Washington, D.C., provides an almost daily reminder of why this option is needed now more than ever."
The initial meeting won't actually consider potential amendment topics, Long said. Instead, it's intended to set up the rules to be followed if and when a constitutional convention is called.
There are two authorized methods for changing the nation's fundamental governing document. The only one that has been used is when two-thirds of Congress proposes an amendment and three-fourths of the states (38 states) ratify it.
However, the Constitution also permits what has come to be known as an "Article V convention," named for its placement in the fifth section of the Constitution.
Under that scenario, two-thirds of state legislatures (34 states) ask Congress to call a Convention of the States for proposing constitutional amendments. If the convention approves an amendment, it then can be ratified by three-fourths of the states and added to the Constitution without congressional approval.
Because an Article V convention has never been called, there are no clear rules on how it would begin — does every state have to pass an identical convention request? — what rules the convention would follow or whether it could be limited in scope.
The primary criticism of the convention idea is the possibility that a "runaway convention" will scrap the entire Constitution.
In fact, the current U.S. Constitution emerged from a convention called to recommend fixes to the Articles of Confederation, America's first constitution.
Long tackled the "runaway convention" issue earlier this year for Indiana by winning approval of two new laws that severely restrict the ability of a Hoosier delegate to a future Article V convention to make decisions outside the explicit instructions provided by the General Assembly.
An Indiana delegate that acts contrary to the wishes of the legislature not only is automatically replaced, but also faces up to three years in prison.
"I was proud to see Indiana lead on this issue in the most recent legislative session and I will continue to support it as a legitimate tool of the states to push back against federal overreach and restore a more proper balance of power," Long said.
He said the Mount Vernon Assembly will devise a "prudent and cautious process" other states can follow to ensure an Article V convention remains focused on specific subjects.
Long has indicated he supports a convention that would propose amendments limiting the power of Congress to impose taxes and regulate business.
It is no small symbolic matter that Indiana state Senator David Long petitioned other states to send delegates to Mount Vernon.
good.
Article V state amendment convention ping!
Bullcrap. Nothing to change. A few things to change back like the 17th amendment.
Not just no but HELL NO!
Its bad enough how the constitution been “interpreted”, can you imagine if, even with good intentions, its was reopened for change?
BTTT
I wish the title of the article hadn’t included the words “Constitutional Convention” as it’s kind of misleading . Other than that, good article and kudos to Indiana for getting this started.
Its about time
5.56mm
It is not without some risk however. The Communists from NY, MA, OR, CA, would send the craziest of crazies there as disruptions. The would seek to repeal the 2nd, add right to abortion, a chicken in every pot, and a good house, healthcare, and so forth.
Throw in a corrupt media, who would seek to strongarm anyone who went to go along with communist proposals, this might be a bad idea.
Whatever came from this would be legal proposed amendments that would need 3/4 state-by-state ratification.
And, bear in mind that with each state having 1 vote, that heavily tilts this in favor of more conservative states, and removes the advantage of leftist east/west coastal states.
So Texas can finally separate?
icwhatyoudo: Not just no but HELL NO!
I agree NO! The problems with unconstitutionally big fedreal government should be resolved by impeaching lawmakers, executives and justices who ignore the Constitution, as opposed to amending the Constitution, essentially trying to "fix" what is not broke.
that’s why I said bullcrap. the red states must did in their heels NO CONVENTION. thank goodness for 2 senators per state.
AMEN!
DC does not abide by the Constitution as it is written. What good does amending anything accomplish?
We need to throw the bastards out!
Agree. It was a very poor and misleading choice of words.
OTOH, it’s brilliant to host the meeting at Mount Vernon.
Senator Long and especially Mark Levin propose structural amendments that congress and the courts can’t get around.
He did mention a week or so ago, 10 states have serious working being done and another 10 starting up.
This is the 1st public debut to my knowledge of efforts moving forward...
If Colorado is any indication, nobody is seceding. An incredible red area kicked that notion to the curb.
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