JBS Rebuttal Testimony

Attachment: 4634/JBS_Rebuttal_Testimony.docx

Testimony - JBS Rebuttal

Mr. Chairman,

Thank you for the opportunity to speak today. I’m here to address concerns raised by the John Birch Society about a Convention of States and to strongly affirm why it is not only constitutional but necessary to restore balance to our federal government.

The first argument often made against a Convention of States is that it could lead to a so-called “runaway convention,” where delegates might rewrite the Constitution entirely. This claim is simply not supported by the facts. Article V of the Constitution clearly outlines the process for proposing amendments, and any proposed amendment must be ratified by three-fourths of the states—38 states in total. This high threshold ensures that only amendments with overwhelming support across the nation can succeed. The fear of a runaway convention underestimates the safeguards built into our system.

Second, some argue that we cannot trust the delegates to act responsibly. But let’s remember: the delegates are chosen by state legislatures, who are directly accountable to the people. States have the power to limit the scope of the convention to specific topics, such as term limits, fiscal responsibility, or reducing federal overreach. In fact, 19 states have already passed resolutions for a Convention of States with carefully crafted language to prevent deviation from these focused goals.

Third, the John Birch Society often claims the Constitution isn’t the problem—it’s the failure to follow it. While that may be true in part, the federal government has repeatedly overstepped its bounds, exploiting vague constitutional interpretations to expand its power. A Convention of States offers us a lawful and peaceful way to clarify the Constitution and restore the limits our founders intended.

Finally, former JBS Chairman, Larry McDonald, was IN FAVOR of a Convention of States and testified for its support before Congress - as documented in the Congressional Record of October 9, 1975. So my question is: what changed? Not the Constitution, it must be the new leadership of the John Birch Society!

This is not a partisan issue. It’s about giving the states and the people a voice to reclaim their rightful role in our republic. We cannot let fear stop us from using the tools the founders provided.

Let’s trust in the wisdom of the Constitution, its founders, and We The People to shape our future.

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Created:	2025-03-11 17:39 GMT
Updated:	2025-03-11 17:39 GMT
Published:	2025-03-11 17:39 GMT
Converted:	2025-11-11 12:35 GMT
Change Author:	Daniella Landivar
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