The Convention of States Article V Pocket Guide provides all the need-to-know information for state legislators and citizens interested in learning more about the Article V process in general and the Convention of States in particular. Updated October 2023.

Attachment: 4701/COSA_PocketGuide_2023_eversion.pdf

ARTICLE V CONVENTION POCKET GUIDE The Founders’ Constitutional Plan for  WE THE PEOPLE   to Secure America’s Future **www.ConventionOfStates.com** ARTICLE V CONVENTION POCKET GUIDE The Founders’ Constitutional Plan for  WE THE PEOPLE   to Secure America’s Future **BECOME A ** **VOLUNTEER** **SIGN THE ** **PETITION** **DONATE  ** **TODAY** HOW TO GET INVOLVED! 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 WHO DECIDES? A Message from COSA President Mark Meckler 4 Mark & Patty Meckler 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?   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.  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 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.  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 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!  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  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. 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. 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. 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.” 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 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.  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.”  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.”  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.”  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.”  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.”  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.” 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 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  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  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.  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.  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.  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   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. 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  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  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.  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. 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. 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. 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.  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.”  – M ichael  f arris , c o -f ounder ,  c onvention   of  s tates 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.  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 / 5 ths 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:  **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. CONVENTION  of  STATES 41 About  CONVENTION OF STATES ACTION   Convention of States Action (COSA) is a 501©(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. 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 info@conventionofstates.com COSA’s grassroots army extends all across America. 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. 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. 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 to  **www.** **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.  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 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. 48 “It’s not tyranny we desire;         it’s a just, limited,             federal government.” A lexAnder  H Amilton 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. 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**// 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:      “Liberty,           once lost,               is lost forever.” J oHn  A dAms 51 **SECTION TITLE** 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.” A rticle  V  of   tHe  c onstitution   of   tHe  u nited  s tAtes **www.ConventionOfStates.com**