In a new article, constitutional scholar Rob Natelson praises recent developments that have 'boosted' the Convention of States movement forward in calling the nation's first-ever Article V convention.
Last month, John Malcolm, Vice President of Heritage Institute for Constitutional Gov't, shed light on the often-overlooked power vested in the American people through Article V of the Constitution. Just days later, Heritage President Kevin Roberts officially endorsed Convention of States.
"It’s good to see increasing agreement that we should call a convention to address the federal government’s many problems," Professor Rob Natelson concluded in an article. "Let’s hope it’s not too late."
The movement for a national convention of states recently got a boost when a formerly-skeptical national think tank issued a paper in support.
The paper is entitled “Reconsidering the Wisdom of an Article V Convention of the States.” It was written by John G. Malcolm, a Harvard-trained lawyer who is vice president of the Heritage Foundation’s Institute for Constitutional Government.
Article V is the part of the Constitution that outlines the amendment procedure. Article V says that any amendment must be ratified by three-fourths of the states. But it also says that before ratification, an amendment must be proposed—i.e., formally recommended. Only Congress or a “Convention for proposing Amendments” may propose.
Both the historical record and the Supreme Court tell us that a “Convention for proposing Amendments” is a convention of the states. A convention of the states (or “convention of states”) is a meeting of representatives from the state legislatures. They meet to negotiate and suggest solutions to common problems.
In an extended article published in The Epoch Times, Natelson contends that the mere act of calling a convention would be a good thing. He reasons that it would shoot a 'political cannonball' across the bow of the ship.
"The message would be clear: “Get your leaky craft in order, or the states will board her and fix the leaks themselves!”"
To stand with Natelson in advancing a constitutional solution to fix the federal leaks, sign the Convention of States petition below.
