Idaho Senator Todd Lakey and former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum lent their voices to a passionate gathering of Convention of States supporters at an Idaho Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee hearing on Wednesday. Together with grassroots activists, they advocated for the adoption of the Convention of States Article V application, which ultimately passed on a 6-3 vote.
“Things are not going to change if we keep doing what we’re doing,” blazoned Santorum. “Put the checks on Congress that are necessary,” he charged.
Proponent testimony emphasized the urgent necessity of curbing federal power, spending, and terms of office in response to rampant government overreach, corruption, and waste.
“The political class in D.C. is not willing, for many reasons, to stop the death spiral of this country,” testified Tracy Grant, a supporter. “The Founders knew the danger of an out-of-control, bloated federal government with federal agencies running roughshod over the American people.”
“We owe it to our children and to our Founders and to the future of this country to give this serious consideration,” another concerned citizen expressed.
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Supporters also addressed opponents’ concerns that a convention might threaten preexisting rights, countering that any amendment that passes out of convention must then be ratified by 38 states before taking effect.
“This is a state process,” Senator Lakey noted in his closing remarks, pointing out that the states and grassroots will wield control over the entire proceeding, from inception to close. “This goes around Congress.”
“No action is not a solution,” he added.
The committee's final passage of the Convention of States Article V application represents a historic milestone, marking the first time the organization has successfully passed through a committee in Idaho.
“The team has worked very hard,” praised Regional Director Deanna Becket. “Just their testimony alone, they've been practicing for three weeks. It’s just great to see the professionalism, the training that we gave them, and where they’re going forward.”
To join the grassroots army as we continue to push for this constitutional solution across the states, sign the Convention of States petition below.
Idaho committee makes history, PASSES Convention of States application
Published in Blog on February 14, 2024 by Jakob Fay
