COS and Texas go way back.
The Texas legislature first passed the Convention of States application for an Article V convention in 2017, thanks to years of tireless, effective grassroots advocacy. But even with that rich history, today’s hearing on SJR 54 — a clean Article V application with no expiration date — was one for the books. While the Texas Senate Committee on State Affairs adjourned without voting, the team is optimistic that the resolution will be revisited and passed shortly.
“Even with a new administration in place, the national government today is a leviathan whose power and control exceed anything ever imagined by the Framers of the Constitution,” remarked a spokesperson for the Texas Public Policy Foundation. “Washington, D.C., policymakers have proven themselves unable to resist the siren song of big government. What is left, then, under the Constitution is for the states to employ an Article V call for a convention of the states to propose amendments to reverse our decline and rein in our out-of-control national government.”
A member of the grassroots team wasted no time in quashing recurring myths about COS, including, most prominently, the “runaway convention” fallacy. Nevertheless, opponents persisted in peddling fear, maintaining that an Article V convention would “end our constitutional republic.”
Fortunately, these wild accusations fell mostly on deaf ears, as COS Senior Vice President for Legislative Affairs Rita Peters and Regional Director Jonathan Viaud remain bullish about the bill's prospects.
“It was great to hear from the Texas grassroots,” said Mrs. Peters. “They did limit the number of folks they had to go and testify, and in this scenario, that was a wise decision because they’re confident they have the votes in committee.”
“We are so blessed to have some incredible grassroots activists and some incredible supporters in the Texas Senate,” added Mr. Viaud. “We’re very confident in where we stand … on the committee.”
Watch the full hearing below and stay tuned to the COS blog for future updates about SJR 54.
