Over the last 20 years, several issues have been prominently discussed as potential reasons for convening a Convention of States under Article V of the U.S. Constitution to propose amendments. Here are the top five:
- Fiscal Restraints and a Balanced Budget Amendment:
- There has been a significant push for a balanced budget amendment to control federal spending and reduce national debt. This effort has been spearheaded by organizations like the Convention of States Project and has seen numerous state legislatures pass resolutions calling for such a convention. The idea is to constitutionally mandate that federal expenditures not exceed federal revenues, thereby imposing fiscal discipline on Congress.
- Term Limits for Federal Officials:
- Proposals for term limits aim to limit the number of terms that members of Congress and possibly other federal officials can serve. Advocates argue this would reduce career politicians, increase turnover, and bring fresh perspectives to government. This issue has been a focal point in discussions about reducing the influence of long-term incumbents and perceived corruption or complacency in politics.
- Limiting Federal Power and Jurisdiction:
- There’s a broad call for amendments that would limit the scope of federal authority, often with an emphasis on returning certain powers to the states. This includes debates over the interpretation of the Commerce Clause, federal regulatory power, and the Tenth Amendment’s reserved powers for states. The Convention of States Project specifically mentions this as one of their goals, aiming to “rein in” federal overreach.
- Electoral Reforms, Including Campaign Finance:
- Discussions about constitutional amendments to reform the electoral process have included proposals for campaign finance reform to curb the influence of money in politics, changes to the Electoral College system, or ensuring voting rights and integrity. These discussions have been spurred by concerns about the impact of money in politics and the fairness of elections.
- Protection of Individual Liberties and Civil Rights:
- While less frequently cited as a direct reason for a convention, there have been discussions around using a Convention of States to propose amendments that would further protect or clarify individual rights, particularly in the face of perceived threats from government surveillance, privacy concerns with technology, or other modern challenges to civil liberties. This could involve strengthening privacy rights, free speech, or addressing new issues like digital rights.
These issues are often interconnected, with the common thread being a desire to alter or clarify the balance of power between federal and state governments, impose fiscal discipline, or ensure that the government operates within constitutional bounds as perceived by various advocacy groups. However, the actual convening of a Convention of States requires a significant political and legal process, and as of the latest information, these efforts have not yet resulted in the necessary number of states calling for such a convention.