State senators and representatives from 49 of the 50 states gathered in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, August 2-4 to hold a simulated Convention of States to propose constitutional amendments utilizing a never-used provision of the United States Constitution.
Former Rep. Woody Jenkins of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was elected President of the Convention by the 109 delegates in attendance. As president, he appointed committee chairmen and presided over the simulated convention, which ended up proposing six possible constitutional amendments.
Article V of the United States Constitution provides two ways it can be amended. The first way is when a proposed amendment is approved by a two-thirds vote of both houses of Congress. The proposal then goes to the states. If both houses of the legislature in 38 states approve the amendment, it becomes part of the Constitution.
However, Article V provides another way the Constitution can be amended. If two-thirds of the states call for an amending convention, that convention, with delegates from all 50 states, could propose amendments. If 38 state legislatures approve an proposed amendment, it becomes part of the Constitution.
Convention of States Foundation has been studying how a convention of the states might work, for the past 10 years. In 2016, the foundation held a simulated convention which proved successful. This year’s simulated convention was the second attempt to learn more about how a convention of the states might work.
Delegations were sent from states throughout America to attend this event as an experiment and demonstration of what could happen.
Former Rep. Woody Jenkins served in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1972 to 2000 and was a delegate to the Louisiana Constitutional Convention that wrote our existing Louisiana Constitution in 1973. His experience and insight were helpful in setting the atmosphere of the 2023 Article V simulation.
Mr. Jenkins presided over the simulated Convention of States, directing the activities and helping to focus on proposals that might have the best likelihood of passage in a more general assembly of delegates.
He said he was honored to have been asked to represent Louisiana and was encouraged by the outcome of the event.
So far, 19 state legislatures have passed resolutions calling for a Convention of States. North Carolina is very close to adding its name to the list of states that have passed resolutions calling on Congress to schedule an Article V Convention of States. COS activists are busy in several other states educating their citizens on the constitutional provision and need for such an event.
Jenkins pointed out that every one of the participants of this simulation was already convinced of the need and importance of an Article V convention of states. With the addition of the needed 15 states, we would likely also recruit a less “conservative” assembly of delegates, and therefore the adoption of some measures could be more difficult.
Many Americans are unaware that a convention of S\states option was included in Article V of the Constitution, and others fear that a convention could be hijacked to destroy our national heritage. Many are blind to our Constitution’s authority being degraded and undermined daily by courts, governors, and presidential administrations.
On September 15, 1787, two days before the close of our historic Constitutional Convention, Col. George Mason questioned what would happen if the need for an amendment was Congressional corruption.
Immediately, the body recognized the likelihood that indeed Congress could be called upon to amend the Constitution in order to correct Congressional misconduct, and that they would undoubtedly be reluctant to exercise this duty faithfully.
“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” — John Adams
A “convention of states” option was added to Article V and affirmed by a unanimous vote of the delegates.
The use of constitutional provisions for the defense and promotion of constitutional integrity is most appropriate, yet there are those, even those who regard themselves as conservatives, who fear the outcome of such a convention. I believe these fears to be unfounded and the product of flawed reasoning.
The Convention of States has never been used to amend our Constitution, but the threat of an Article V convention has successfully motivated Congress to pass amendments. The 17th Amendment is an example.
Whatever we think about the wisdom of the 17th Amendment, it was the choice of the American citizens at the time. The voice of Americans was elevated to the point of action through the use of the Article V Convention of States process to affect a change in our Constitution according to the will of “We the People.”
The violation and corruption of our Constitution has become standard procedure within the halls of government in the last hundred years, and perhaps this trend could be reversed through the use of Col. Mason’s recommendation.
You can watch the process as it unfolded at COS Simulation
Article V Convention of States.
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God bless you, Dave
“Duty is ours, results are God’s” John Quincy Adams
