Public Intelligence Blog

Someone in Congress evidently wants an update.

The Article V Convention to Propose Constitutional Amendments: Current Developments, March 29, 2016

After more than 20 years of comparative inaction,the past decade has seen a resurgence of interest in and support for the Article V Convention alternative.Advocacy groups across a broad range of the political spectrum are pushing for conventions to consider various amendments, including a revival of the balanced budget amendment proposed in the 1970s -1980s; an interstate compact that could call a convention,propose, and prospectively ratify, a balanced budget amendment; an amendment or amendments to restrict the authority of the federal government; and an amendment to permit regulation of corporate spending in election campaigns, which would nullify parts of the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission.

The Article V Convention to Propose Constitutional Amendments: Contemporary Issues for Congress, updated March 29, 2016:

This report identifies a range of policy questions Congress might face if an Article V Convention seemed imminent. Some of these include the following: what constitutes a legitimate state application? Does Congress have discretion as to whether it must call a convention? What legislative vehicle would be appropriate to call a convention? Could a convention consider any issue, or would it be limited to the specific issue cited in state applications? Could a “runaway” convention propose amendments outside its mandate? Could Congress choose not to propose a convention – approved amendment to the states? What role, if any, does the President have? What role would Congress have in the mechanics of a convention, including rules of procedure and voting, number and apportionment of delegates, funding and duration, service by Members of Congress, and other related questions?

See Also:

Constitutional Convention @ Phi Beta Iota