Wiki_QA__##

Title: Fact Sheet For Legislators

Original CoS Document (slug): fact-sheet-for-legislators

Login Required to view? No

Attached File: Convention_of_States_Fact_Sheet.docx

Created: 2019-03-07 10:37:34

Updated: 2020-03-07 19:00:00

Published: 2019-03-07 08:42:06

Converted: 2025-04-14T19:33:44.361388540

---

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.

Two fundamental positions separate the Convention of States (COS) Project from all other Article V efforts:

• Calling a convention for a one particular subject – limiting the power and jurisdiction of the federal government
• Growing the support of and involving the American people in this movement

The Convention of States (COS) Project was launched in December 2013. It is a partnership of Citizens for Self-Governance (CSG) and the Heritage Foundation. 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 bi-partisan grassroots movement that currently boasts more than 4 million supporters. To date, the Convention of States Resolution – the first phase of the Article V process – has been passed in 13 states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas. 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 former U.S. Senator and family physician Dr. Tom Coburn, former U.S. Senator and Heritage Foundation President Jim DeMint, and Convention of States Action Board Chairman Eric O’Keefe.

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 10 additional states this year.