Title: COS Fact Sheet
Original CoS Document (slug): cos-fact-sheet-1
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Attached File: Convention_of_States_Fact_Sheet.pdf
Created: 2019-03-13 14:11:16
Updated: 2020-03-13 23:00:00
Published: 2019-03-13 14:11:29
Converted: 2025-04-14T19:34:13.029155581
FACT SHEET
Convention of States Project Overview
Calling a Convention of States is a constitutional right granted to U.S. citizens under Article V of the U.S.
Constitution. It is one of two primary ways provided to amend the Constitution. Rather than giving the
national legislature sole authority to propose amendments, Article V hands power to the people. It affords
them the option to work through their state legislatures to request Congress call an amendments
convention.
The Convention of States (COS) Project was launched in December 2013 by Mark Meckler, co-founder of
the Tea Party Patriots and president of Citizens for Self-Governance, and Michael Farris, founder of the
Home School Legal Defense Association and Patrick Henry College. The COS Project’s mission is clear –
calling an Article V Convention of States to address three pressing concerns:
•
Curbing the federal debt
•
Limiting federal government power and jurisdiction
•
Imposing term limits on the judiciary, federal bureaucrats and elected officials
The Convention of States Project is a nationwide non-partisan grassroots movement that currently
boasts nearly 4 million supporters. To date, the Convention of States Resolution – the first phase of the
Article V process – has been passed in 14 states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia,
Indiana, Louisiana, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and Utah. Passage in 34 state
legislatures is needed for Congress to call an amendments convention. More detailed information on
the resolution process can be found at www.conventionofstates.com.
Leadership
Citizens for Self-Governance founder Mark Meckler currently serves as president of Convention of States
Action. He is assisted by key advisors, including former U.S. Senator and family physician Dr. Tom
Coburn, former U.S. Senator and Heritage Foundation President Jim DeMint, Convention of States
Action Board Chairman Eric O’Keefe, and Article V constitutional scholar Prof. Robert Natelson.
Timeline
Georgia was the first state to pass the COS Resolution on March 6, 2014. Thirteen other states have
followed suit. Active legislation presently exists in seven states, and it is anticipated the COS Project will
file legislation in more than 20 additional states this year.
State
Date Passed
State
Date Passed
Georgia
Alaska
Florida
Alabama
Tennessee
Indiana
Oklahoma
March 6, 2014
April 19, 2014
April 21, 2014
May 22, 2015
Feb. 4, 2016
Feb. 29, 2016
April 25, 2016
Louisiana
Arizona
North Dakota
Texas
Missouri
Arkansas
Utah
May 25, 2016
March 13, 2017
March 24, 2017
May 4, 2017
May 12, 2017
Feb. 13, 2019
March 5, 2019