Title: Convention of States Pocket Guide Original CoS Document (slug): [[https://conventionofstates.com/files/convention-of-states-handbook-for-legislators-and-citizens-1|convention-of-states-handbook-for-legislators-and-citizens-1]] Login Required to view? No Attached File: COSA_PocketGuide_2023_eversion.pdf Updated October 202 Created: 2019-10-22 15:16:30 Updated: 2024-08-01 23:00:00 Published: 2019-10-30 05:52:13 Converted: 2025-04-14T19:36:23.689453873 ---- {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_9169_pdfto001.png?nolink&432x594 |background image}} **ARTICLE V CONVENTION** **POCKET GUIDE** **The Founders’ Constitutional Plan for ** **WE THE PEOPLE  ** **to Secure America’s Future** {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_9169_pdfto002.png?nolink&432x594 |background image}} [[http://www.conventionofstates.com|**www.ConventionOfStates.com**]] **ARTICLE V CONVENTION** **POCKET GUIDE** **The Founders’ Constitutional Plan for ** **WE THE PEOPLE  ** **to Secure America’s Future** [[https://conventionofstates.com/take_action|**BECOME A **]] [[https://conventionofstates.com/take_action|**VOLUNTEER**]] [[https://conventionofstates.com/sign-the-petition|**SIGN THE **]] [[https://conventionofstates.com/sign-the-petition|**PETITION**]] [[https://secure.anedot.com/convention-of-states-action-cosaction/2020-donatebutton|**DONATE  **]] [[https://secure.anedot.com/convention-of-states-action-cosaction/2020-donatebutton|**TODAY**]] **HOW TO GET INVOLVED!** {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_9169_pdfto003.png?nolink&432x594 |background image}} **CONVENTION //of// STATES** 3 **04      Who  Decides?**           A Message from COSA President Mark Meckler\\ **08        The  Problem**           Why an Article V Convention?\\ **14   Article V of the U.S. Constitution**           What the Founders Said About an Article V Convention\\ **18    Support for an Article V Convention**           Endorsements from Notable Leaders\\ **25    Answers to Common Questions**           Find the Answers You Need Quickly\\ **30    Overcoming Objections from the Opposition**           Cut Through the Misinformation—Get the Facts Here\\ **36    Convention of States Model Application**           The Text of the Article V Convention Application\\ **37    Amendments to Consider at a Convention of States**           Potential Amendments to Be Debated at a Convention\\ **39    Simulated Article V Convention**           A Trial Run of the Convention for State Commissioners\\ **41    About Convention of States Action (COSA)**           The COSA Organization and Grassroots Army\\ **41    Core Values of COSA **            The Values that Guide Our Mission\\ **45    Get Involved in Making History**            What You Can Do to Help\\ **49    Convention of States Petition**            Read, Sign, and Share the Petition **Contents** {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_9169_pdfto004.png?nolink&432x594 |background image}} **WHO DECIDES? A Message from COSA President Mark Meckler** 4 //**Mark & Patty Meckler**// {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_9169_pdfto005.png?nolink&432x594 |background image}} **CONVENTION //of// STATES** 5 **Who Decides?** **A MESSAGE FROM  ** **COSA PRESIDENT MARK MECKLER** **WHO DECIDES** what’s best for you and your family? \\ Should you have the power to decide?  Or should some out-of-touch bureaucrat in Washington, \\ D.C., have the power to decide? It’s time we shift the national conversation away from \\ what government should do to “fix” our problems. \\ It’s time we decide for ourselves whether the federal \\ government should be involved at all in matters that \\ affect us personally. No matter the political issue of the day, the establish-\\ ment in Washington loves to deliberate on what they \\ will do.  They want the American people to ponder, “What will \\ they decide?”  What will Congress decide about health care? Taxes? \\ Education? Fiscal responsibility? Instead of focusing on the better question:   //**Who**// //**decides?**//  {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_9169_pdfto006.png?nolink&432x594 |background image}} 6 **WHO DECIDES? A Message from COSA President Mark Meckler** Should the government decide what to do about your \\ health care, or should you and your doctor decide? Should \\ D.C. bureaucrats decide what to do about education, or \\ should you, your spouse, and your children's teachers \\ decide? Should nine Supreme Court justices decide what \\ constitutes a marriage, or should you, your community, \\ and your state decide?  If you're anything like me, the answer is obvious. It's \\ the same answer our Founding Fathers gave when they \\ drafted the Constitution: we the people should decide, \\ not some far-off, disconnected government run by \\ out-of-touch elites.  The truth is the Washington establishment will never, \\ ever limit its own power. We just can't rely on the \\ politicians who got us into this mess to get us out of it.  We need a solution that will let us go around the \\ Washington political establishment and rein in the \\ out-of -control federal government, permanently.  {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_9169_pdfto007.png?nolink&432x594 |background image}} **CONVENTION //of// STATES** 7 Here at Convention of States Action, we are implementing \\ the solution with the help of a vast family of grassroots \\ patriots just like you.  This solution was hidden in plain sight in Article V of \\ the Constitution, and it's our best and last chance to take \\ the power back from the out-of-control politicians in \\ Washington and safeguard our liberty once and for all.  The booklet you hold in your hands contains our \\ Founding Fathers' antidote and cure for what ails  \\ our country.  Take it, read it, and use it as you talk with your friends \\ and family members about this constitutional solution to \\ restore our great nation.  Yours in the fight,  Mark Meckler\\ President\\ Convention of States Action {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_9169_pdfto008.png?nolink&432x594 |background image}} **SECTION TITLE** 8 //**We see four major abuses against the people by the federal \\ government. These abuses are not mere instances of bad \\ policy. The federal government has been subjecting us to \\ “soft tyranny” in which the government does not (yet) \\ shatter all men’s wills but regularly “softens, bends, and \\ guides” them. **// {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_9169_pdfto009.png?nolink&432x594 |background image}} **CONVENTION //of// STATES** 9 **The Problem** **WHY AN ARTICLE V CONVENTION?** **WASHINGTON, D.C., WILL NEVER** \\ voluntarily relinquish its own power, no matter \\ who is elected. The only rational conclusion \\ is this: unless some political force outside of \\ Washington, D.C., intervenes, the federal \\ government will continue to bankrupt this \\ nation, embezzle the legitimate authority \\ of the states, and destroy the liberty \\ of the people. Rather than securing \\ the blessings of liberty for future \\ generations, Washington, D.C., \\ is on a path that will enslave our \\ children and grandchildren to the \\ debts of the past.  We see four major abuses \\ against the people by the federal \\ government. These abuses are \\ not mere instances of bad policy. The federal \\ government has been subjecting us to "soft tyranny" in \\ which the government does not (yet) shatter all men's wills \\ but regularly "softens, bends, and guides" them. If we do \\ nothing to halt these abuses, we run the risk of becoming \\ nothing more than "a flock of timid and industrious \\ animals, of which the government is the shepherd."  \\ (Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America, 1840)  **alexis** ** de tocqueville,** **french** ** historian** {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_9169_pdfto010.png?nolink&432x594 |background image}} 10 **THE PROBLEM: WHY AN ARTICLE V CONVENTION?** **The Spending and Debt Crisis\\ **America's $33 trillion (and counting) national debt is \\ staggering, but it \\ only tells a part of the \\ story. Under standard \\ accounting practices, \\ the federal government \\ actually owes about \\ $150 trillion in vested \\ Social Security benefits \\ and other programs, \\ according to Truth \\ in Accounting. The \\ government cannot \\ tax its way out of debt. \\ Even if the government \\ taxed at 100 percent \\ and confiscated \\ everything, it wouldn't \\ cover the mountain \\ of debt that we have \\ already accumulated!  **The Regulatory Crisis \\ **The federal bureaucracy has placed a regulatory \\ burden upon businesses that is complex, conflicted, \\ and crushing. Little accountability exists when \\ agencies—rather than Congress—enact the real \\ substance of the law. Current research shows the \\ annual cost of compliance at about $2 trillion,   //**Even if the government taxed \\ at 100 percent and confiscated \\ everything, it wouldn’t cover \\ the mountain of debt that we \\ have already accumulated! **// {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_9169_pdfto011.png?nolink&432x594 |background image}} **CONVENTION //of// STATES** 11 roughly equal to all income and corporate taxes \\ combined! Worse, the growth-killing effects of \\ regulation have shrunk economic growth by 25 \\ percent, or $4 trillion per year.  **Congressional Attacks on  ** **State Authority\\ **For years, Congress has been using federal grants to \\ keep the states under its control. Combining these \\ grants with federal mandates (which are rarely fully \\ funded), Congress has turned state legislatures into \\ their regional agencies rather than respecting them as \\ truly independent republican governments.  A radical social agenda and an invasion of the rights \\ of the people accompany all of this. While significant \\ efforts have been made to combat this social erosion, \\ these trends defy some of the most important founding \\ principles of federalism and self-governance. **Federal Takeover of the Decision- ** **Making Process\\ **The Founders believed that the structures of a limited \\ government would provide the greatest protection of \\ liberty. Not only were there to be checks and balances \\ between the branches of the federal government, \\ power was to be delineated between the states and \\ federal government. The latter was to exercise only  {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_9169_pdfto012.png?nolink&432x594 |background image}} 12 **THE PROBLEM: WHY AN ARTICLE V CONVENTION?** those “few and defined” powers specifically granted \\ in the Constitution, while the states’ powers were left \\ “broad and undefined.” Collusion among decision-makers in Washington, D.C., \\ has replaced these checks and balances. The federal \\ judiciary supports Congress and the White House in \\ their ever-escalating attack upon the jurisdiction of  \\ the 50 states. We need to realize that the structure of decision-making \\ matters. Who decides what the law will be is even more \\ important than what is decided. The protection of liberty \\ requires a strict adherence to the principle that the power \\ of the federal government is limited and enumerated.  //**For years, Congress has been using federal \\ grants to keep the states under its control. \\ Combining these grants with federal mandates \\ (which are rarely fully funded), Congress has \\ turned state legislatures into their regional \\ agencies rather than respecting them as truly \\ independent republican governments.**// {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_9169_pdfto013.png?nolink&432x594 |background image}} **CONVENTION //of// STATES** 13 Washington, D.C., does not believe this principle, as \\ evidenced by an unbroken practice of expanding the \\ boundaries of federal power. The problems are big, but we have a solution as big as \\ those problems. Article V gives us the tool the Founders \\ intended for us to use to fix the mess in D.C. Article V of the Constitution is our best chance—and our \\ last chance—to take the power back from the out-of-control \\ politicians and bureaucrats in Washington and safeguard \\ our liberty once and for all. And when the Article V convention convenes, Congress and \\ the Washington bureaucracy will be powerless to stop it. {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_9169_pdfto014.png?nolink&432x594 |background image}} **SECTION TITLE** 14 //**Thank God that the Founders were wise enough to give \\ us the second clause of Article V...They had experienced \\ the heavy hand of a tyrannical government. They \\ foresaw a time in the future when such a mechanism \\ would be necessary. Now is that time.**// {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_9169_pdfto015.png?nolink&432x594 |background image}} **CONVENTION //of// STATES** 15 **Article V** **OF THE U.S. CONSTITUTION** Article V of the Constitution of the United States reads  \\ as follows: //“The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses // //shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments \\ to this Constitution,** or, on the Application of \\ the Legislatures of two thirds of the several \\ States, shall call a Convention for proposing \\ Amendments, which, in either Case, shall \\ be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as \\ Part of this Constitution, when ratified \\ by the Legislatures of three fourths of the \\ several States,** or by Conventions in three fourths \\ thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification \\ may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no \\ Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One \\ thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner \\ affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section \\ of the first Article; and that no State, without its \\ Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage  \\ in the Senate.”// {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_9169_pdfto016.png?nolink&432x594 |background image}} 16 **ARTICLE V OF THE U.S. CONSTITUTION** The history of Article V from the 1787 Convention:  //"On September 15, as the Convention was reviewing \\ the revisions made by the Committee of Style, George \\ Mason expressed opposition to the provisions limiting \\ the power to propose amendments to Congress. \\ According to the Convention records, Mason thought \\ that 'no Amendment of the proper kind would ever \\ be obtained by the people, if the Government should \\ become oppressive, as he verily believed would be \\ the case.' In response, Gouverneur Morris and \\ Elbridge Gerry made a motion to amend the article // //**“No amendment of the proper **// //**kind would ever be obtained by \\ the people, if the government **// //**should become oppressive.”**// //—** george mason**// {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_9169_pdfto017.png?nolink&432x594 |background image}} **CONVENTION //of// STATES** 17 //to reintroduce language requiring that a convention \\ be called when two-thirds of the States applied for \\ an amendment."// [30 Harvard Journal of Law and \\ Public Policy 1005, 1007 (2007)]  Thank God that the Founders were wise enough to give \\ us the second clause of Article V. Their decision was \\ unanimous. The Framers had very little debate about \\ this—and they debated almost everything—because they \\ knew human nature. They had experienced the heavy \\ hand of a tyrannical government. They foresaw a time in \\ the future when such a mechanism would be necessary. \\ Now is that time.  {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_9169_pdfto018.png?nolink&432x594 |background image}} 18 **SUPPORT FOR AN ARTICLE V CONVENTION** **Support ** **FOR AN ARTICLE V CONVENTION** ** \\ MARK LEVIN\\ **//“I have wholeheartedly \\ endorsed the Convention of \\ States Project. I serve on its \\ Legal Board of Reference  \\ because they propose a solution \\ as big as the problem.” // ** ** ** ** **SEN. RAND PAUL\\ **//“I support the Convention \\ of States Project to restore \\ the original constitutional \\ limits on federal power \\ by calling a limited \\ Convention to propose \\ amendments to rein in \\ our out -of-control federal \\ government.” // {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_9169_pdfto019.png?nolink&432x594 |background image}} **CONVENTION //of// STATES** 19 **GOV. RON DESANTIS\\ **//“The permanent \\ bureaucracy will never \\ voluntarily give up an \\ ounce of its power. …I \\ encourage all other state \\ legislatures to support \\ the Convention of States \\ Project and pass the \\ resolution today.”  // **SEAN HANNITY\\ **//“There’s a solution in our \\ Constitution. We have the \\ power to call a Convention \\ of States to restrain the size, \\ the power, the scope, and \\ the jurisdiction of the federal \\ government. If you’re serious \\ about saving the nation, this  \\ is the best way to do it. Join \\ the constitutional revolution with Convention of  \\ States Project.” // {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_9169_pdfto020.png?nolink&432x594 |background image}} 20 **SUPPORT FOR AN ARTICLE V CONVENTION** **LT. COL. ALLEN WEST\\ **//“Thank goodness the Founders \\ had the wisdom to provide us \\ with Article V of the Constitution, \\ which gives us the right and \\ power to hold an Amending \\ Convention for the purpose of \\ proposing amendments to restrain \\ the scope and power of the federal \\ government... Under the system // //of federalism, I support the efforts to gather a constitutional \\ Convention of States consistent with Article V and honoring \\ the 10th Amendment.” // **DR. JAMES DOBSON\\ **//“I encourage every American \\ to visit conventionofstates.com  \\ and add your name to a \\ growing list of citizens calling \\ for a return of federal power \\ back to the states. Let us \\ raise our collective voices and \\ challenge the entrenched powers \\ in Washington by finally, and \\ for the first time, calling for a Convention of States.” // {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_9169_pdfto021.png?nolink&432x594 |background image}} **CONVENTION //of// STATES** 21 **BEN SHAPIRO\\ **//“We have to hem in the power of \\ Congress and, in many cases, the \\ power of the Executive, before it \\ is too late. Can you imagine the \\ looks on the faces of politicians \\ when they realize they are now \\ legally barred from controlling your \\ life and they can't just live in those \\ offices forever? Calling a Convention of States is the only \\ way to get the job done. Sign the petition and get involved. \\ It's an important cause.”// **PETE HEGSETH\\ **//“The leviathan of today's \\ federal government continues \\ to grow unabated, pushing the \\ people further away from our \\ Founder's vision of self-\\ governance. The Convention \\ of States Project is the only \\ constitutional pathway for // //citizens to save our Republic by restoring it to her citizens. \\ Article V of our Constitution underscores the duty of \\ active citizenship and I am proud to stand with millions \\ of volunteers in this effort.” // {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_9169_pdfto022.png?nolink&432x594 |background image}} 22 **SUPPORT FOR AN ARTICLE V CONVENTION** **FORMER SEN. RICK SANTORUM\\ **//“As George Mason said, the \\ states need a way to propose \\ amendments in case Congress \\ refuses to make the necessary \\ reforms. If you believe \\ Congress will ever propose \\ amendments that limit federal \\ power, I have a bridge in \\ Brooklyn I’d like to sell you.” // ** ** **DAVID BARTON** //“I support an Article V \\ convention. It is time for states \\ to go on the offensive to limit \\ the overreach of the federal \\ government ... I urge you to \\ support all of the Constitution, \\ and thus the efforts of the \\ Convention of States to pass \\ their extremely well-thought-out \\ and strategic legislation in // //your home state and thus join us in a call to restore our \\ constitutional republic.” // {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_9169_pdfto023.png?nolink&432x594 |background image}} **CONVENTION //of// STATES** 23 **MICHAEL FARRIS\\ **//“Only a Convention of States \\ will give us effective solutions \\ to the abuse of power in \\ Washington, D.C. It is our \\ moral obligation to protect \\ liberty for ourselves and  \\ our posterity.” // ** ** **CHARLIE KIRK\\ **//“The Founding Fathers gave \\ us a foolproof way to rein \\ in an overreaching federal \\ government in Article V. If young \\ conservatives want to take back \\ our country, they will join me \\ in supporting the Convention of \\ States Project. A Convention of // //States is the only constitutional way to limit the power \\ and jurisdiction of the federal government and anyone \\ who wants to give power back to the people will support \\ this growing movement. After all, as we always say at \\ Turning Point, ‘Big Government Sucks,’ and it's not \\ going to shrink itself.”// {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_9169_pdfto024.png?nolink&432x594 |background image}} 24 **SUPPORT FOR AN ARTICLE V CONVENTION** **OTHER NOTABLE SUPPORTERS** •   Rep. Chip Roy\\ •  Rick Green\\ •   Kirk Cameron\\ •  Bob Vander Plaats\\ •  Dr. Dave Brat\\ •   Sen. Marco Rubio\\ •  Dave Rubin\\ •  Gov. Mike Dunleavy\\ •  Sheriff David Clarke\\ •   Lt. Col. Bill Cowan\\ •   Ken Cuccinelli\\ •   Rep. Jeff Duncan\\ •   Sen. Ron Johnson\\ •   Atty. Andrew McCarthy\\ •   Economist Thomas Sowell\\ •   Atty. Mat Staver\\ •   Steve Hilton •   Gov. Greg Abbott\\ •   Judge Andrew Napolitano\\ •   Former Sen. Ben Sasse\\ •   Pete Coors\\ •   David Horowitz\\ •   Lawrence Jones\\ •   Former Gov. Mike Huckabee\\ •   Former Gov. Jeb Bush\\ •   Former Sen. Jim Talent\\ •   Former Gov. Bobby Jindal\\ •   Former Rep. Louie Gohmert\\ •   Morton Blackwell\\ •   Randy E. Barnett\\ •   Charles J. Cooper\\ •   Dr. John C. Eastman\\ •   Robert P. George\\ •   C. Boyden Gray **James O’Keefe** **Dr. Ben Carson** **Tucker Carlson** **Lt. Gov. ** **Mark Robinson** **Former Gov.** **Sarah Palin** **Vivek ** **Ramaswamy** **Steve Deace** **Former Sen.** **Jim DeMint** {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_9169_pdfto025.png?nolink&432x594 |background image}} **CONVENTION //of// STATES** 25 **Answers ** **TO COMMON QUESTIONS** **Why Do We Need to Call an  ** **Article V Convention?\\ **Washington, D.C., is broken. The federal government \\ is spending this country into the ground, seizing power \\ from the states and taking liberty from the people. \\ It’s time for we the people to take a stand against \\ tyranny with a coordinated, nationwide effort to curb \\ the unrestrained and growing power of the federal \\ government. The Founders gave us this emergency \\ tool to fix Washington, D.C. We must use it before \\ it is too late. Even when good people go to D.C. as \\ elected officials, they lack the power to fix the structural \\ problems now destroying our country. No change in \\ personnel can fix a structural problem. Only an Article \\ V convention has the power to repair the damage and \\ halt the federal government from eroding the liberties \\ of the sovereign citizens further. **What is an Article V Convention?\\ **An Article V convention is called by the state \\ legislatures for the purpose of proposing amendments to \\ the Constitution. They are given power to do this under \\ Article V of the Constitution (see text, page 15). It is \\ not a constitutional convention. It cannot throw out the  {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_9169_pdfto026.png?nolink&432x594 |background image}} 26 **ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS** Constitution, because it receives its authority from the \\ Constitution. An Article V convention can only propose \\ amendments that fit within the topic of the applications \\ adopted by the state legislatures. So, for example, \\ a convention that is called to limit the power of the \\ federal government could not propose an amendment to \\ reduce our rights and expand federal power. **How Do the State Legislatures Call an ** **Article V Convention?\\ **Thirty-four state legislatures must pass a resolution \\ in each chamber of their legislatures (called an \\ “application”) calling for an Article V convention. \\ The convention application does not need to be \\ signed by the governor to be effective. As soon as both \\ chambers of the state legislature pass the application, \\ that state becomes one of the required 34 states calling \\ for a convention. In order for the applications to be \\ aggregated (counted together towards the 34-state \\ threshold), they must all cover the same topic or set of \\ topics for a convention. The Article V convention model \\ application is included on page 36. **Can Congress Block an Article V ** **Convention?\\ **No. As long as each of the 34 states applies for a \\ convention that deals with the same issue (e.g., limiting \\ the power and jurisdiction of the federal government), \\ Congress must call the convention. Congress’s ministerial  {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_9169_pdfto027.png?nolink&432x594 |background image}} **CONVENTION //of// STATES** 27 duty is to name the place and the time for the convention. \\ If it fails to exercise this power reasonably, the states \\ themselves can and will override congressional inaction.  **How Do States Choose Their Commissioners? \\ **States are free to develop their own selection process \\ for choosing their delegates—properly called \\ "commissioners." Historically, the most common \\ method used was an election by a joint session of both \\ chambers of the state legislature. This is true federalism \\ in action. Each state has the power to choose its own \\ commissioners in its own way.  //**Each state has the power to choose its own \\ commissioners in its own way. **// {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_9169_pdfto028.png?nolink&432x594 |background image}} 28 **ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS** **What Happens at an Article V Convention? \\ **Each state's delegation participates in discussing, \\ drafting, and voting on amendment proposals \\ germane to the topic(s) stated in the 34 applications \\ that triggered the convention. According to historical \\ precedent, each state has one vote at the convention. \\ Amendments sent to the states are merely suggestions \\ and have no authority until ratified by the states.  **How are  ** **Proposed  ** **Amendments ** **Ratified?\\ **Thirty-eight states must \\ ratify any proposed \\ amendments before \\ they become part of \\ the Constitution. Each \\ proposed amendment is \\ ratified separately by the \\ states even if proposed as \\ a package (like the Bill of \\ Rights). Ratification may \\ be done by state legislatures or by state ratification \\ conventions, which represent the people more directly. \\ Historically, ratification has been by state legislatures, \\ with the exception of the Twenty-First Amendment, \\ which was ratified by state conventions.   //**38 states must ratify any \\ proposed amendments \\ before they become part \\ of the Constitution. **// {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_9169_pdfto029.png?nolink&432x594 |background image}} **CONVENTION //of// STATES** 29 **How Do We Know How an Article V ** **Convention Will Work?\\ **Interstate conventions were common during the Founding \\ era, and the procedures and rules for such conventions were \\ widely known. Additionally, there have been many interstate \\ conventions since the Founding era, all operating on similar \\ rules. We can know how an Article V convention would oper-\\ ate by studying the historical record. Two simulated Article V \\ conventions (held in Williamsburg, Virginia, in September of \\ 2016 and August of 2023) proved that these well-established \\ procedures would be followed by any Article V convention \\ held today. (See page 39 for a summary of that event.) **ls an Article V Convention Safe? \\ **Yes. The convention's authority is limited to that conferred \\ upon it by the state legislatures. Furthermore, the \\ ratification process ensures that amendments that do not \\ reflect the desires of the American people will not be passed. \\ (Read more detailed responses to specific objections to an \\ Article V convention on page 30 of this booklet.)  //**The convention’s authority is limited to that conferred upon  \\ it by the state legislatures. **// {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_9169_pdfto030.png?nolink&432x594 |background image}} 30 **OVERCOMING OBJECTIONS FROM THE OPPOSITION** **Overcoming ** **Objections ** **FROM THE OPPOSITION\\  ** **Objection One: What happens if  ** **an Article V convention becomes a  ** **“runaway convention” and takes away  ** **our hard-won liberties?\\ Answer: **Despite a common myth promoted by some  groups beginning in the 1960s, there is absolutely no \\ precedent for a “runaway convention.” There have \\ been at least 38 multi-state conventions in American \\ history and not a single one has “run away.”   Our Founders were masters of checks and balances, \\ and they put numerous safeguards in place to ensure \\ that a convention would never run away. The most \\ important of these safeguards is the requirement \\ that 38 states ratify any proposal coming out of \\ the convention before any change is made to the \\ Constitution. It is politically impossible for any \\ change to be made to our Constitution that does not \\ enjoy the overwhelming support of the American \\ people. As respected constitutional scholar Professor \\ Robert Natelson has pointed out, "There are far   {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_9169_pdfto031.png?nolink&432x594 |background image}} **CONVENTION //of// STATES** 31 more checks on a runaway convention than on a \\ runaway Congress."  **Objection Two: Didn't the original ** **Constitutional Convention run away? \\ Answer: **No, this is another myth that has been spread  to justify judicial activism and other unconstitutional \\ changes to our system of government. The entire claim \\ that the Constitutional Convention ran away is based \\ on the false idea that Congress called the Constitutional \\ Convention for the sole purpose of amending the \\ Articles of Confederation. But that's not true. In fact, \\ under the Articles of Confederation, Congress had \\ no authority to call a convention. If you look at the \\ historical records, it was actually Virginia that called the \\ Constitutional Convention in November 1786. Virginia \\ called the Convention for the purpose of "render[ing]  //**Our Founders were masters of checks and balances, and \\ they put numerous safeguards in place to ensure that a \\ convention would never run away.**// {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_9169_pdfto032.png?nolink&432x594 |background image}} 32 **OVERCOMING OBJECTIONS FROM THE OPPOSITION** the Federal Constitution [system of government] \\ adequate to the Exigencies [current circumstances] \\ of the Union," an instruction that certainly included \\ proposing a new Constitution. Congress didn't enter \\ the picture until months later when, in February \\ 1787, it passed a resolution recommending that the \\ convention only amend the Articles of Confederation. \\ However, the Articles of Confederation did not grant \\ Congress the power to call a convention. New York and \\ Massachusetts did issue commissions that resembled \\ the congressional resolution, but the remaining four \\ states followed the model of the Virginia resolution.  **Objection Three: I like our Constitution ** **the way it is – short, simple, and fairly easy ** **to understand. Why should we change it? \\ Answer: **While many Americans now own a "Pocket  Constitution," the truth is that the Constitution we \\ live by today—the supreme law of the land governing \\ all American citizens and states—actually fills a book \\ weighing nearly ten pounds and running over 2,700 \\ pages! That’s because for more than a century, a \\ “runaway constitutional convention” has been going \\ on in the Supreme Court. The results are printed by \\ our federal government in The Constitution of the \\ United States Annotated Edition. Everything from \\ same-sex marriage to ObamaCare and more are \\ now “the law of the land.” An Article V convention, \\ which the Framers provided, is the only way to rein \\ in our activist judiciary, reduce the size of the federal  {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_9169_pdfto033.png?nolink&432x594 |background image}} **CONVENTION //of// STATES** 33 government, and restore our Constitution back to its \\ original pocket size and its original intent.   **Objection Four: The Constitution isn’t the ** **problem. The problem is federal officials. ** **How will amending the Constitution help?\\ Answer: **Most of the problems our country is facing  are the result of constitutional interpretations that \\ capitalize on ambiguities in the wording of certain \\ phrases (e.g., the General Welfare Clause being \\ interpreted as unlimited power to spend). We can \\ restore the federal government to its proper, limited \\ place only by clarifying the original meaning of \\ those phrases through constitutional amendments—\\ effectively overturning the bad Supreme Court \\ precedents that have eviscerated our federal system. Unfortunately, due to manipulation and expansion of \\ federal government power by the Supreme Court, we \\ the people must use a convention to put the federal \\ government back into the constitutional box originally \\ created by the Founders. **Objection Five: Article V says Congress ** **"calls" the convention. Doesn't this mean ** **Congress will control the convention? \\ Answer: **No, Congress's role is limited to issuing the  "call" which sets the date, time, and location of the \\ meeting once it receives 34 applications for a convention  {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_9169_pdfto034.png?nolink&432x594 |background image}} 34 **OVERCOMING OBJECTIONS FROM THE OPPOSITION** on the same topic. In legal terms, this is referred to as \\ a "ministerial" role. In this role, Congress is acting in a \\ limited administrative capacity on behalf of the states. It \\ has no authority beyond that, including no control over \\ the delegates.  **Objection Six: At a time of extreme gerry-** **mandering and in an environment of unlim-** **ited political spending, wouldn't an Article V ** **convention open up the Constitution and our ** **system of government to being rewritten by ** **special interest groups and the wealthy?\\ Answer:** No. Over 400 applications for an Article V  convention have been filed, but we have never had one  //**Congress is acting in a limited administrative capacity \\ on behalf of the states. It has no authority beyond that, \\ including no control over the delegates. **// {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_9169_pdfto035.png?nolink&432x594 |background image}} **CONVENTION //of// STATES** 35 because there have never been 34 applications seeking \\ a convention for the same purpose. This demonstrates \\ that the purpose or scope specified in the applications \\ does matter. States can instruct their respective \\ delegates to entertain a more narrow scope than what \\ is within the aggregated application, but they cannot \\ broaden the topic beyond that identified in the 34 \\ passed applications. **Objection Seven: Why is the opposition to ** **an Article V convention issuing dire warnings ** **about its potential for national disaster?\\ Answer:** Nearly all opposition comes from the hard  left, as was revealed in April of 2017. Led by the \\ George Soros-funded Common Cause, a coalition of \\ radically anti-constitutional activist groups united in \\ their opposition to this constitutional solution. The \\ nearly 250 signers include the AFL-CIO, Planned \\ Parenthood, Greenpeace, La Raza, the NAACP, and \\ Clinton-founded groups like MoveOn.org. These \\ nearly 250 groups depend on a corrupt, runaway \\ federal government to preserve their power, fill their \\ coffers with taxpayer dollars, and advance their \\ radical agendas. This kind of organized opposition \\ means one thing: We are right above the target \\ and they know it. These organizations share one \\ goal: Keep the disastrous status quo of our federal \\ government unchanged. An Article V convention is \\ the only way to stop them. {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_9169_pdfto036.png?nolink&432x594 |background image}} 36 **ARTICLE V CONVENTION MODEL APPLICATION** **Convention  ** **of States ** **MODEL APPLICATION\\ ** \\ The COS application limits what can be proposed at an \\ Article V convention. The subject areas that can be considered at an Article V \\ convention are strictly limited to those specified in the \\ official applications submitted by all 34 (or more) states. \\ Section 1 of the application for an Article V convention \\ was carefully worded to specify such limits. It reads: **Section 1.  The legislature of the State of   ** **                                                        hereby applies to ** **Congress, under the provisions of Article V of the ** **Constitution of the United States, for the calling ** **of a convention of the States limited to proposing ** **amendments to the Constitution of the United ** **States that impose fiscal restraints on the federal ** **government, limit the power and jurisdiction of the ** **federal government, and limit the terms of office ** **for its officials and for members of Congress.** Any amendment submitted by the Article V convention \\ which goes beyond the scope plainly stated in Section 1 \\ cannot be considered for ratification by the states. {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_9169_pdfto037.png?nolink&432x594 |background image}} **CONVENTION //of// STATES** 37 ** Amendments ** **TO CONSIDER AT AN ** **ARTICLE V CONVENTION\\ ** \\ At an Article V convention, delegates will have the \\ opportunity to debate and pass amendments that could:  •  Require members of Congress to live under the same laws  they pass for the rest of us.  •  Impose term limits on members of Congress.\\ •  Require a balanced federal budget.\\ •  Impose limits on federal spending and/or taxation.\\ •  Get the federal government out of our health care system.\\ •  Get the federal government out of our education system.\\ •  Stop unelected federal bureaucrats from imposing  regulations. •  Set term limits for Supreme Court justices.\\ •  Set term limits for federal bureaucrats, ending the  dominance of the “swamp.”  •  Remove the authority of the federal government over  state energy policy.  •  Impose a single-subject rule on Congress that also  must be expressed in the bill’s title. {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_9169_pdfto038.png?nolink&432x594 |background image}} 38 **AMENDMENTS TO CONSIDER AT AN ARTICLE V CONVENTION** •  A redefinition of the Commerce Clause (the original  view was that Congress was granted a narrow and \\ exclusive power to regulate shipments across state \\ lines—not all the economic activity of the nation). •  A prohibition on using international treaties and law  to govern the domestic law of the United States. •  Force the federal government to honor its  commitment to return federal lands to the states.  •  And any other amendments that the commissioners  of the convention think are both germane to this \\ application and popular enough to be voted out of \\ convention to ratification. At this convention, delegates from the states will \\ gather for the sole purpose of proposing amendments \\ that limit the power, size, and spending of the federal \\ government, and impose term limits on its officials and \\ members of Congress.  //**At this convention, delegates from the states will gather for \\ the sole purpose of proposing amendments that limit the \\ power, size, and spending of the federal government, and \\ impose term limits on its officials and members of Congress. **// {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_9169_pdfto039.png?nolink&432x594 |background image}} **CONVENTION //of// STATES** 39 **SIMULATED** ** ** **Article V ** **Convention** //** **// //**“The events at Williamsburg will be remembered  \\ as a turning point in history. The spirit of liberty \\ and self-governance has been reignited.” **// **– Michael farris, co-founder, ** **convention of states** The first-ever Simulated Article V Convention convened \\ in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, Sept. 21–23, \\ 2016. One-hundred and thirty-seven commissioners \\ representing every state in the nation gathered together to \\ undertake this historic endeavor. The convention operated \\ flawlessly, according to a set of rules drafted by Article \\ V scholar Prof. Rob Natelson and approved by the COS \\ Caucus, the largest state legislator caucus in America. The convention passed amendment proposals on the \\ following six ideas: 1.  The public debt shall not be increased except upon a  super majority vote in Congress.  2.  Limiting federal overreach by restoring the Commerce  Clause to its original meaning.  {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_9169_pdfto040.png?nolink&432x594 |background image}} 40 **AN ARTICLE V CONVENTION SIMULATION** 3.  Term limits on members of Congress. 4.  Limiting the power of federal regulations by allowing  for a congressional override.  5.  Requiring a super majority of Congress to increase  federal taxes and repealing the 16th Amendment. Also, \\ prohibiting taxation of income, gifts, and estates.  6.  Giving the states (by a 3/5ths vote) the power   to abrogate any federal law, regulation, or  \\ executive order. If you want to know how an actual Article V convention \\ will operate, learn more about the 2016 and 2023 simulat-\\ ed conventions, and watch video of the proceedings, go to:  [[http://www.conventionofstates.com/cossim|**www.conventionofstates.com/cossim**]]**. ** //**The first ever Article V convention Simulation convened \\ Sept. 21-23, 2016. A second Simulation convened Aug. 2–4, \\ 2023. Both took place in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia.**// {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_9169_pdfto041.png?nolink&432x594 |background image}} **CONVENTION //of// STATES** 41 **About ** **CONVENTION OF STATES ACTION\\ ** \\ Convention of States Action (COSA) is a 501(c)(4) \\ nonprofit organization founded for the purpose of \\ stopping the runaway power of the federal government. \\ We believe Washington, \\ D.C., is broken and will \\ not fix itself. The federal \\ government is spending this \\ country into the ground, \\ seizing power from the \\ states, and taking liberty \\ from the people. We have a solution as big as \\ the problem. COSA’s two-part plan is \\ to urge and empower state \\ legislators to call an Article  \\ V convention. Article V requires that 34 states pass resolutions to call \\ an Article V convention on the same subject before \\ the meeting can be called. We are working with state \\ legislators around the country to call a convention for a \\ specific subject: to impose fiscal restraints on the federal  //**COSA’s co-founders,  \\ Dr. Michael Farris (left)  \\ and Mark Meckler.**// {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_9169_pdfto042.png?nolink&432x594 |background image}} 42 **ABOUT CONVENTION OF STATES ACTION** government, limit the power and jurisdiction of the \\ federal government, and limit the terms of office for its \\ officials and for members of Congress. We believe grassroots support is the key to successfully \\ calling a convention—and also the key to ensuring \\ that good amendments get ratified. We are building a \\ political operation in all 50 states, recruiting at least 100 \\ citizens in every state legislative district in the nation.  **Contact information  \\ **COS Action  \\ 5850 San Felipe, Suite 580A, Houston, TX 77057 \\ 540-441-7227\\ //**COSA’s grassroots army extends all across America.**// {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_9169_pdfto043.png?nolink&432x594 |background image}} **CONVENTION //of// STATES** 43 **Core Values** **OF CONVENTION OF STATES ACTION** **Preserve Constitutional Originalism\\ **We adhere to the wisdom of the Founding Fathers \\ as expressed in our governing documents, and to \\ the original meaning of their language. We actively \\ work to restore limited, constitutional government, \\ federalism, individual rights, and America as the \\ beacon of freedom to the World. **Foster Responsible Self-Governance\\ **True liberty requires personal responsibility and \\ individual accountability. As we work toward a cul-\\ ture of self-governance in our country, we promote a \\ culture in our organization that empowers everyone \\ to take action, learn from their mistakes, and adjust \\ their actions accordingly for the future. **Cultivate Servant Leaders\\ **Servant leadership inspires employees and volunteers \\ to serve others and make a positive difference in their \\ communities as they work to restore self-governance. \\ We promote these principles through training and \\ mentorship opportunities. {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_9169_pdfto044.png?nolink&432x594 |background image}} 44 **CORE VALUES OF CONVENTION OF STATES** **Be Kind\\ **We believe in the Golden Rule; we treat others \\ the way we want to be treated. We seek to have \\ positive interactions with others while being \\ professional, respectful, and speaking the truth \\ boldly and with love. **Produce Meaningful Results\\ **We aspire to produce a demonstrable impact \\ on the restoration of America to its divinely \\ inspired ideals, and the emboldening of \\ people around the world to work for their own \\ inalienable right to freedom. **Revere Judeo-Christian Values\\ **Our Republic was founded on Judeo-Christian \\ principles, including that every individual is \\ created in God’s image and endowed by the \\ Creator with inalienable rights. It is the duty \\ of the government of, by, and for the People to \\ secure those rights. {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_9169_pdfto045.png?nolink&432x594 |background image}} **CONVENTION //of// STATES** 45 **Get Involved ** **IN MAKING HISTORY\\ ** \\ We always knew the statist ruling "elite" would one day \\ attack, but our growing success has forced them to act \\ faster than we anticipated. And you can be sure, those \\ attacks are just beginning. Today they are coming from \\ the radical left, but the assaults will expand to include \\ every person and organization in Washington, D.C., with \\ a vested interest in keeping power there. To ensure that \\ we respond effectively, we're focused on increasing our \\ grassroots army to many millions of Americans. You can \\ be a part of this historic grassroots movement by getting \\ involved in four unique ways. **Sign & Send\\ **To sign the petition online, scan the QR code \\ for the Petition on the inside front cover of \\ this document, or photocopy and sign the \\ Convention of States petition on pages 49–50 \\ of this booklet and mail it to Convention of \\ States Action, 5850 San Felipe, Suite 580A, \\ Houston, TX 77057 and send your friends t[[http://www.conventionofstates.com|o **www.**]] [[http://www.conventionofstates.com|**conventionofstates.com**]]** **to sign the petition. Right now, \\ we have over 5 million supporters, but we're looking to \\ more than double our citizen-activist army by the year's \\ end. If every supporter sends the petition to five of their \\ friends, we'll hit that goal in no time.  {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_9169_pdfto046.png?nolink&432x594 |background image}} 46 **GET INVOLVED IN MAKING HISTORY** **Volunteer \\ **Volunteering is the easiest way to \\ get involved in the fight in your \\ state. As a volunteer, your primary \\ tasks will be contacting your state \\ legislators and asking that they support the Convention \\ of States resolution, spreading the word about Article \\ V to your friends and family, and attending legislative \\ meetings at your state capitol. You can commit as much \\ or as little time as your schedule allows—we're just \\ excited to welcome you aboard! For more information, \\ visit: **www.conventionofstates.com/take_action**.  Our volunteer teams are another great way to become \\ involved. The Social Media Warriors spread the word \\ online and the State Follow-Up Team welcomes new \\ volunteers. For more information, visit:   **www.conventionofstates.com/take_action**. **Be a Leader\\ **We have leadership positions \\ to fit any skill set. Visit **www.** **conventionofstates.com/** **take_action** and apply to be a: •  State Director\\ •  District Captain\\ •  Coalition Director (e.g., Veterans, Young  Americans)  •  State Videographer {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_9169_pdfto047.png?nolink&432x594 |background image}} **CONVENTION //of// STATES** 47 •  State Communications Coordinator\\ •  Legislative Liaison\\ •  Coalitions Director\\ •  State Media Liaison\\ •  State Tech Assistant/Manager\\ •  State Content Writer\\ •  State Grassroots Coordinator **Spread the Word\\ **Share this booklet with a friend, family member, or an \\ elected official. Visit us online for more information at:  **•  www.conventionofstates.com** **•  fb.com/conventionofstates** **•  instagram.com/conventionofstates** **•  twitter.com/COSProject** **•  rumble.com/COSProject** **•  youtube.com/@ConventionofStatesProject** **•  (540) 441-7227** //**Members of COSA Maryland’s grassroots army.**// {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_9169_pdfto048.png?nolink&432x594 |background image}} 48 “It’s not tyranny we desire;         it’s a just, limited,             federal government.” **AlexAnder HAmilton** {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_9169_pdfto049.png?nolink&432x594 |background image}} **CONVENTION //of// STATES** 49 **Convention ** **of States** **PETITION** Make photocopies of this form for you and others to sign. \\ Mail signed copies to Convention of States Action, 5850 San \\ Felipe, Suite 580A, Houston, TX 77057. If you prefer to sign \\ online, visit the website at **conventionofstates.com**. //Almost everyone knows that our federal government is on a // //dangerous course. The unsustainable debt combined with crushing // //regulations on states and businesses is a recipe for disaster.// //What is less known is that the Founders gave state legislatures // //the power to act as a final check on abuses of power by // //Washington, DC. Article V of the U.S. Constitution authorizes // //the state legislatures to call a convention to proposing needed // //amendments to the Constitution. This process does not require // //the consent of the federal government in Washington DC.// //I support Convention of States; a national movement to call a // //convention under Article V of the United States Constitution, // //restricted to proposing amendments that will impose fiscal // //restraints on the federal government, limit its power and // //jurisdiction, and impose term limits on its officials and // //members of Congress.// {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_9169_pdfto050.png?nolink&432x594 |background image}} **ARTICLE V CONVENTION PETITION** 50 //I want our state to be one of the necessary 34 states to pass // //a resolution calling for this kind of an Article V convention. // //You can find a copy of the model resolution and the Article V // //Pocket Guide (which explains the process and answers many // //questions) here:// [[https://conventionofstates.com/handbook_pdf%0A|//**https:%%//%%conventionofstates.com/handbook_pdf**//]] //I ask that you support Convention of States and consider // //becoming a co-sponsor. Please respond to my request // //by informing the national COS team of your position, // //or sending them any questions you may have: info@// //conventionofstates.com or (540) 441-7227.// //Thank you so much for your service to the people of our // //district.// //Respectfully,  // **Name:  \\ (printed) ** **Address:           ** **Date:** **I Want to Volunteer:** **Phone:** **Email:** {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_9169_pdfto051.png?nolink&432x594 |background image}}      “Liberty,          once lost,               is lost forever.” **JoHn AdAms** 51 {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_9169_pdfto052.png?nolink&432x594 |background image}} [[http://www.conventionofstates.com|**SECTION TITLE**]] [[http://www.conventionofstates.com|52]] **“[O]n the Application of the Legislatures ** **of two thirds of the several States, \\ shall call a Convention for proposing ** **Amendments, which, in either Case, shall ** **be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as \\ Part of this Constitution, when ratified \\ by the Legislatures of three fourths of \\ the several States.”** **Article V ** **of** ** tHe constitution of tHe united stAtes** [[http://www.conventionofstates.com|**www.ConventionOfStates.com**]]