"The Verdict is in: The Process Works," Says Rob Natelson, Director of the Article V Information Center and America's Foremost Published and Active Article V Constitutional Scholar

PURCELLVILLE, Va., Sept. 26, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Citizens for Self-Governance extends appreciation to the 137 commissioners from all 50 states, for the role they played in demonstrating to the American people that the Article V convention for proposing amendments is a workable process that can be effectively used by the states to check federal power. In the words of Professor Randy E. Barnett, "George Mason, who gave us the Article V Convention of States, would be proud; it was his spirit that pervaded the hall."

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The Simulated Article V Convention for proposing amendments kicked off on Wednesday evening, Sept. 21^st, when attendees received a visit by James Madison with a message of self-governance. Thursday morning, Sept. 22^nd, commissioners met in three committees, corresponding with the three subject matters for amendment proposals specified in the Convention of States Project's application for the Article V convention, to deliberate on amendment proposals. Friday, Sept 23^rd, began with Patrick Henry recounting his "liberty or death" speech before the state delegations hit the floor of the final plenary session to debate and vote on each proposal that passed a committee, resulting in the final approval of the six proposals detailed below. But the Convention also voted to adopt the following statement to the American people:

Statement of Convention:

"The Convention respectfully submits these proposals to the American people with the conviction that they are a sound beginning to a critically-needed national discussion about restoring the balance of power between the federal government and the states. Further, it is the conviction of this body that the states must deliberate and adopt appropriate proposals for a balanced budget amendment and an amendment to provide the states a means to serve as a check on judicial overreach by the federal judiciary of the United States." 

Mark Meckler, President of Citizens for Self-Governance and Co-Founder of the Convention of States Project, said, "The convention operated smoothly and according to the rules.  It was an emotional experience to witness the seriousness of the commissioners as they debated. Now it's on to the real convention—the sooner the better."

Rep. Ken Ivory (UT), who was elected by the body on Thursday as the President of the Convention, had this message for the commissioners, "Thank you. The nation can be proud of the work you have done to signal the path forward in restoring vitality to our ingenious governing system — a system that requires constitutional balance between the states and the national government. As Thomas Jefferson counseled this 'must be done by the states themselves, erecting such barriers at the constitutional line as cannot be surmounted…'"      

"The events at Williamsburg will be remembered as a turning point in history," stated Michael Farris, co-founder of the Convention of States Project. "The spirit of liberty and self-government have been reignited."

At adjournment, the convention ended up with six proposed amendments, examples of the kind of amendments that are germane and lawful under the Convention of States application.

Proposed Amendments Summary (the full text of the proposals are available in the Final Report at this link):

1. Requiring the states to approve any increase in the national debt.
2. Requiring a super majority for federal taxes and repeal the 16^th Amendment.
3. Limiting federal overreach by returning the Commerce Clause to its original meaning.
4. Limiting the power of federal regulations by giving an easy congressional override.
5. Give the states (by a 3/5ths vote) the power to abrogate any federal law, regulation or executive order.
6. Term limits on Congress.

About the Convention of States Project is currently organized in all 50 states, including more than 1 million volunteers, supporters and advocates committed to stopping the federal government's abuse of power. Since 2013, eight states have passed the COS Project Resolution: Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Tennessee. In 2016, the COS Resolution was filed in 31 states. For more information visit www.ConventionofStates.com.

Contact: Tamara Colbert
C: 626.244.5571; Email

SOURCE Citizens for Self-Governance