Kansas committee hears public testimony on COS

On Monday, the Kansas Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs heard public testimony on Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 1604 — the Convention of States application for a limited Article V convention — with a group of advocates representing more than 47,000 Kansas petition signers.

Although the committee adjourned without voting, lawmakers will revisit the measure soon.

Previously, the Kansas legislature approved the resolution with a simple majority vote in both the House (74-48) and Senate (22-16). However, an anomaly in Kansas law — known as the “Roe Rule” — requires a two-thirds supermajority for Article V convention bills, preventing final passage.

The Roe Rule, introduced in 1974 to safeguard abortion rights and protect Roe v. Wade, raised the threshold for calling an Article V convention above the constitutional requirement in an effort to block a potential right-to-life amendment. Legal experts have denounced the rule for violating the U.S. Constitution and obstructing the Article V process.

Despite this setback, the Sunflower State team reintroduced the COS application, hopeful they can now secure the two-thirds supermajority required. 

“All of us have come to the distressing conclusion that finding the best candidates and electing them to office in Washington no longer secures our rights and the Constitution from the federal government itself,” said one supporter. “We find that the government in Washington has, in fact, become an enemy to our liberty, and that the vested interests there will not relinquish their control.”

“Since the Founders were absolutely committed to the idea that no one should have unchecked power, [Article V] was put into the Constitution without debate, without dissent,” explained Convention of States Co-Founder Michael Farris.

Farris dismissed opponents’ concerns about a “runaway” convention as mere “political fiction.”

“Our grassroots are strong,” praised Regional Director Deanna Becket. “Just to see the strength of the grassroots . . . they’ve got this in the bag.”

Watch the full hearing below and follow the Convention of States blog for future updates!