Tennessee Convention of States Action is active and thriving and has grown substantially since the Convention of States Resolution, SJR67, was passed in 2016 by the 109th General Assembly. Fiscal restraint, term limits for federal officials, and limiting the power and jurisdiction of the federal government is more important today than it ever has been in our country’s history. Through its thousands of volunteers statewide, COSA TN is fighting to restore the balance of power between the states and the federal government.
Between January 2022 and November 2023, the 67,000 petition signers grew to over 70,000 petition signers. These concerned citizens are letting you – our elected representatives – know that we want you to govern us rather than those faceless, nameless bureaucrats in D.C. that regulate every aspect of our lives from light bulbs to toilets to what pronouns we are allowed to speak. Ten years ago, COSA TN was spurred into action due to the soft tyranny of the federal government. That soft tyranny has hardened into strong arm tactics of over-regulation, federally sanctioned destruction of our nation’s traditions and institutions, and the weaponization of the government to silence those who wish to protect and defend the U.S. Constitution. Against this power, its citizens often feel helpless. COSA gives Tennesseans an opportunity to learn how to be engaged at the state and local level.
What has COS been up to in 2023? It’s more than one might expect.
- COSA volunteers have organized block walking campaigns across Tennessee to knock on doors, to meet their neighbors, and to let them know how to get their voices heard in the legislature.
- COSA volunteers have held countless meetings weekly in restaurants, churches, gun shows, fairs, coffee shops, festivals, car shows, and other venues for the same purpose: to reignite self-governance and volunteer activism.
- COSA volunteers educate citizens about forming productive relationships with their legislator neighbors who speak for them when passing laws or resolutions.
What’s next in 2024?
- COSA volunteers will return to the General Assembly to meet the new lawmakers and to build relationships with those who were not in the legislature when SJR 67 was passed on February 4, 2016.
- COSA volunteers will be vigilant and work to avoid possible rescission efforts.
- COSA volunteers will work with lawmakers to discuss why a single-topic convention (like balanced budget or term limits) are unnecessary as those topics already are embodied in the SJR 67. The time and cost of calling a convention should not be wasted on a single issue that will not remedy the dire straits in which we find ourselves.
- COSA volunteers will follow legislation and let lawmakers know their positions.
- COSA volunteers will talk to lawmakers about a proposed Model Faithful Commissioner resolution to give guidance for how a convention will operate.
In 2023, the Convention of States Foundation hosted a simulated Convention of States in historic Williamsburg, Virginia, with participants from 49 states, including Rep. Dennis Powers. The participants convened a convention, created rules and committees to conduct business, and then proposed amendments. A simulated convention also was held in 2017. For those who question how it will work, watch how it worked here: https://www.cossimulation2023.org/
It is time to hold a convention of the states, and Tennessee must be ready. Our recently sworn in Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, was a Louisiana lawmaker, who initially opposed the COS resolution in his state, but came to become an ardent advocate for calling a convention based on the COS resolution. Louisiana is one of the 19 states that already passed the resolution. Thirty-four states are needed to call the convention to propose amendments “to this Constitution” (see Art. V), and 38 states are required for any amendment to be adopted. A mere 13 states can defeat any proposed amendment. And no, a convention of the states cannot throw out the existing Constitution; it can propose amendments to the existing Constitution.
Speaker Johnson recently spoke in the U.S. House about the need for this solution to our national security risk as we face over $33 TRILLION in debt. The states can seize back their power. It is the only lawful, Constitutional choice we have. D.C. will never fix itself.
COSA Tennessee is a team of dedicated volunteers who want to preserve our Republic and restore the balance of power. Please review the information provided. Any team member is happy to help with more information.
Article V: https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/article-5/
The Call: https://www.conventionofstates.com/files/model-convention-of-states-application
TN’s Resolution: https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/109/Bill/SJR0067.pdf
