This document provides answers to many frequently asked questions about the Convention of States process and dispels myths and objections to the grassroots movement.

Attachment: 1955/COS_FAQ.pdf

Why Do We Want to Call a  Convention of States? The federal government is spending  this country into the ground, seizing  power from the states, and taking  liberty from the people.  What is a Convention  of States? A convention of states is a meeting  initiated by the state legislatures  under Article V of the Constitution  for the purpose of proposing  amendments to the  U.S. Constitution. How Do the State  Legislatures Call a  Convention of States? Thirty-four state legislatures must  pass a resolution applying for a  convention of states dealing  with the same subject matter. How Realistic is Calling a  Convention of States? Over 4.5 million supporters have  called for a Convention of States.  Thirty states have passed our  resolution through at least one  committee, and twenty-three states  have passed the resolution through  one chamber. Can Congress Block a  Convention of States? No. Once 34 states apply for a  convention to propose amendments  on the same issue, Article V requires  Congress to name the place and  the time for the convention. Article V says Congress  “Calls” the Convention.  Does This Mean it Controls  the Convention and  Chooses the Delegates? No. Once 34 states apply, Congress  has no discretion whether to call a  convention and no control over  the delegates.  How Do States Choose  Their Delegates? States are free to develop their  own selection processes for  choosing their delegates.  FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS CONVENTION OF STATES ACTION FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What Happens at a  Convention of States? Delegates discuss and  propose amendment proposals  that fi t the topic framed by  the 34 state resolutions that  triggered the convention.  Each state gets one vote. How are Proposed  Amendments Ratified? Thirty-eight states must ratify any  proposed amendments sent back to  the states by the convention. How Do We Know How a Convention of States  Will Work? Interstate conventions were  common during the founding era,  and the basic procedures and rules  for such conventions were uniform. Is a Convention of  States Safe? Yes. The topic of amendments is  limited by the states’ applications.  All other topics are out of order for  the convention. In addition, the  ratifi cation process ensures no  amendment will be passed that  does not refl ect the desires of  the American people. If Federal Officials  Ignore the Current  Constitution, Why Would  They Adhere to an  Amended Constitution? Federal offi  cials don’t “ignore” the  Constitution so much as “lawyer”  around it. For instance, they claim  that the power to tax and spend for  the “general welfare” gives  Congress power to tax and  spend for any purpose whatsoever. Amendments at a Convention  of States today will be written with  these politicians and judges in mind.  There will be no doubt as to their  meaning, and no possibility of  alternate interpretations. What is the Plan? 1. Our resolution calls for a  convention to propose amendments  on particular subjects–limiting  federal power, mandating fi scal  responsibility, and imposing  term limits—rather than a  particular amendment. 2. The grassroots army is the key  to implementing an Article V  convention. With over 4.5 million  supporters and signed petitions in  100% of legislative districts across  America, our grassroots army is  the largest Article V grassroots  movement in history.  Conventi onofStates.com info@conventi onofstates.com 540-441-7227 Support the only soluti on that is as big as the problem. Sign the peti ti on at Conventi onofStates.com