Our Delaware Convention of States team has written our testimony in preparation for a legislative hearing about the the COS Resolution to rein in the federal government. The following was written by one of our team members explaining the Article V process.
"My name is Douglass Romaine and I reside in Milton. As a supporter of the Convention of States, I’m here today to give an overview of the Article V process.
It begins with the citizens petitioning their state governments to pass a resolution calling for a convention. This resolution must be identical in each of the states in which it passes.
The resolution is proposed to each state’s General Assembly by a sponsor and is then assigned to a committee. The Committee will hear testimony and vote to pass the resolution on to the floor of the Senate or House.
Thirty-four states must complete this same process. Once this is done, the United States Congress is required by the Constitution to call a Convention of States and choose a place and time where it will be held.
Currently nineteen states have passed the resolution and the resolution is also being considered in the legislatures of another 7 states.
Once the convention is scheduled, the states will appoint and send their delegates to discuss, draft and propose amendments. Each state can send as many delegates as they wish but there will be only one vote per state.
After each of the proposed amendments is accepted individually by more than half the states, they are sent back to the states to be ratified individually. Each amendment must be ratified by 3/4s of the states which equals 38 states to become an amendment to the US Constitution. This means that it would take only 13 states’ negative votes to stop an amendment from being added."
We are asking for the COS resolution to be heard this session and hope that our legislature will join the 19 others that have passed it. To join us in our efforts and sign the COS petition click here.
