Title: Arkansas Surge Article

Original CoS Document (slug): [[https://conventionofstates.com/arkansas-surge-article|arkansas-surge-article]]

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Created: 2023-10-04 17:51:42

Updated: 2023-12-27 13:19:31

Published: 2023-10-23 03:00:00

Converted: 2025-04-14T20:34:14.011056237


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February 14 signifies more than just Valentine’s Day to the Convention of States team in Arkansas—it also denotes the anniversary of the final passage of our Article V application through both houses of the Arkansas legislature.\\
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Annually, on Valentine’s Day, our team assembles in Little Rock for a “surge” event to commemorate this historic day; 2024 will mark the fifth anniversary. And while some may assume that because Arkansas has already joined the growing list of states calling for an Article V convention we can hang it up and call it quits, that’s not our perspective. Quite the opposite: now, more than ever, we remain vigilant, educating new legislators about the singular power vested in them by the Constitution. \\
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Under our governing document, state lawmakers are intended to be the most powerful figures in politics. The Founders, many of whom served in state legislatures, aimed to ensure that these governing bodies, closer to home and more accountable to the people, sat atop the political “food chain” with the power to resist the national government. \\
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In order to do this, they entrusted the states with one of the most significant checks and balances in the Constitution—the authority to rein in the federal government through amendments. This mechanism was provided specifically for the situation predicted by the Founders when Congress or any other federal entity overstepped its bounds. We believe that time is now. \\
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Most Americans feel that their state legislatures do a better job of representing them than the federal government does. Because of a deeply dysfunctional federal legislature, an overbearing administrative state, crippling national debt, “weaponized” systems of power, and rampant corruption, Washington, D.C., suffers a poor approval rating among the American people. Dissatisfied and disillusioned with politics as usual, many have turned to the Constitution and Article V as viable solutions to our nation’s myriad problems.\\
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While the well-respected General Assembly of Arkansas has already responded to the people’s resounding call for an Article V convention, its members must remain alert in defending this important cause, as the pressing need for a convention has only escalated in the past five years.  \\
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Fortunately, the resources at the disposal of legislators have also seen a significant boost. Last year, for example, over 100 commissioners, primarily state lawmakers, convened for the 2023 Simulated Article V Convention. This gathering proved highly influential, swaying the opinions of numerous participants towards recognizing the efficacy and vitality of the constitutional amendment process.\\
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Following the event, the Convention of States organization received an endorsement from one of the nation’s most respected think tanks, The Heritage Foundation. According to Heritage scholar John Malcom, an Article V convention "would send a powerful message to Washington that the people are prepared to reclaim power if it is abused.”\\
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These major milestones for the Convention of States movement highlight that our moment has come, and we are proud that Arkansas is officially onboard. We applaud the legislature for passing the COS resolution, thank each member for their service, and encourage all members to continue acquainting themselves with the tremendous power granted to them by We The People in Article V of the U.S. Constitution.