All hands on deck!
With active COS legislation in 16 states, commissioner legislation in several more, and Capitol Days scheduled throughout the nation, Convention of States is mobilizing the grassroots for a record-breaking February, with an expected surge poised to surpass the already bustling activism and advocacy witnessed in January.
In a recent email, Convention of States President Mark Meckler laid out a brief insider’s look at the states where our legislation is currently filed. Since then, New Mexico also joined the list, filing an Article V application, which now awaits a hearing in two separate House Committees.
To bolster this bevy of legislative activity, our state teams have dedicated themselves to refining their messaging strategies, effectively reaching hundreds of lawmakers through emails, petitions, and Surge Day events. For example, in Pennsylvania, supporters sent over 300 emails to their state legislators in just under a week, informing them about our recent groundbreaking PA polling (more on that later). Additionally, our Ohio team sent 731 emails to their Ohio legislators, helping to achieve a final override of the governor's veto of HB 68, which prohibits transgender surgeries on children and protects women’s sports.
These efforts are vital to spreading the word about COS, raising awareness about the massive grassroots support for Article V, and impressing upon state legislators the great responsibility entrusted to them by the Constitution. Also crucial to these ends are our popular COS Surge events, hosted in state capitals across America. (I recently covered several of these events in West Virginia, Hawaii, and Maryland, here.) Many more are expected in states including Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Indiana, Missouri, Utah, Arkansas, Florida, and Arizona in February.
It’s an all-hands-on-deck effort, involving everyone from social media warriors to trained political operatives to block walkers and legislative liaisons, all of whom are focused on one primary objective: securing passage of the COS resolution. And, with more than a dozen states actively considering our application, and unmistakable pressure on others to follow suit, the grassroots have already made tremendous strides toward advancing that goal.
Below, Mark’s original list is reprinted in full.
Delaware — The COS Resolution, SCR 100, has been introduced with 3 cosponsors in the Senate! Our grassroots have been building strong relationships with their state legislators and held a Capitol Day on January 9th where supporters traveled from across the state to surge the Capitol!
Illinois — The COS Resolution, HJR 3, has been introduced with 2 primary sponsors and a WHOPPING 26 cosponsors in the House! Our legislation is currently pending in the House Rules Committee, awaiting the scheduled date and time to be heard.
Iowa — Our primary House sponsor in Iowa, Rep. John Wills, distributed a powerful letter to all of his colleagues explaining why he is so passionate about calling for a convention and urging them to support Convention of States with their votes. The COS Resolution has been introduced in both the House and Senate and is currently assigned to the State Government Committee of both chambers to be heard and voted on.
Kentucky — Representative Bobby McCool introduced our application in the Kentucky House with 8 co-sponsors, and Senator Robby Mills introduced it in the Senate with 8 co-sponsors! It is now pending consideration in the Senate’s State and Local Government Committee.
This is a critical step for Kentucky because we have previously been met with resistance in the legislature. We have been told that this is due to the powerful influence of U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell. Reportedly, Mitch prefers not to have term limits imposed or the power and decision-making taken from DC and returned to the sovereign citizens of the states.But after the highly successful Capitol Rally and Capitol Surge last week, our lead sponsors were inspired to push the COS Resolution forward in Kentucky and garner the support of their colleagues to champion the COS Resolution alongside them!
Massachusetts — The COS Resolution has been introduced by our primary sponsor and 8 cosponsors and is pending in the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs. This committee was the first in the nation to hear the Convention of States Resolution in 2024 and was blown away by the turnout and powerful testimonies provided by our grassroots volunteers, led by Michael Farris.
Our legislative sponsor was so impressed by what he witnessed that he told our team it was “One of the GREATEST days of my career!” We are now waiting for a vote.
Minnesota — The COS Resolution has been introduced and is currently pending in committees in both the House and Senate, boasting 9 cosponsors!
New Jersey — Sponsors introduced our COS application in New Jersey with 2 primary sponsors and 14 cosponsors in the Assembly and 2 primary sponsors and 5 cosponsors in the Senate (including 1 Democrat). The Resolution is currently pending in the State Government, Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee.
New York — The COS Resolution has been introduced and is now pending in the Senate Finance Committee. Our team on the ground is preparing to host their Capitol Day.
North Carolina — The COS Resolution has been passed on the floor of the House and has now moved to the Senate, where it’s currently pending before committee! Once the Senate follows the House’s lead and passes the COS Resolution on the floor – they will become our next passed state! Our team is working their state legislative strategy to secure the remaining votes necessary as plans are underway to host a Capitol Day to demonstrate the overwhelming grassroots support in the state.
Ohio — The COS Resolution boasts 2 prime sponsors and an incredible 21 cosponsors in the House and is pending its second hearing in the House Committee on Government Oversight. That hearing will allow our grassroots supporters to provide testimony in favor of the Resolution.
Pennsylvania — With 102 Democrats and 101 Republicans in the PA House, our team is leveraging new strategies to win over the bipartisan support that will be required for passage. So far, those efforts are proving fruitful. The COS Resolution has been introduced with a Democrat as lead House sponsor with 13 cosponsors and is now pending before committees in both the House and Senate!
This week, we conducted a GROUNDBREAKING poll in Pennsylvania that demonstrates a consensus on the need for constitutional reforms. Noteworthy findings include a staggering 69% of Republicans, 70% of Democrats, and an impressive 77% of Independents willing to cross party lines in support of a candidate championing the Convention of States cause.
Rhode Island — Rep. Arthur Corvese (D) introduced our application in Rhode Island! The COS Resolution is now pending in the House Committee on State Government & Elections.
South Dakota — Senator Tom Pischke introduced our application in South Dakota with 14 cosponsors! The Resolution is now pending in the Senate State Affairs Committee.
Vermont — The COS Resolution is pending in the Committee on Govt. Operations and Military Affairs.
Washington — The COS Resolution has been introduced in both chambers and is currently pending consideration in both the House and Senate’s Committees on State Govt. & Tribal Relations. Our Resolution boasts 23 cosponsors in the House and 10 cosponsors in the Senate!
In case you lost count, that's over 150 sponsors and cosponsors spread out over only a handful of states!
What about your state? Did it make the list? If not, rest assured there are almost certainly efforts underway to promote COS in your home state. Stay up to date on these history-changing efforts and get involved when you sign the Convention of States petition below and get involved today.
Millions of Americans have answered the call. Now’s your chance to lock shields with them.
