Convention of the States group gathered in Lincoln to gain support for their legislative resolution

In the United States Constitution in Article 5 it states, “The Congress, whenever two-thirds of both houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to this constitution.”

But a little-known fact is that the second part of Article 5 states, “or, on the application of the legislatures of two-thirds of the several states, shall call a convention for proposing amendments.”

The Convention of States group is attempting to have 34 states, pass the same legislative resolution for all 50 states to meet and keep a check on the federal government.

“Years of abuse and overreach by the judicial, legislative, and executive branch of the federal government have obliterated the enumerated powers established by our founders and made a mockery of the 10th amendment,” Sen. Steve Halloran of Hastings said.

The group has three goals, federal fiscal restraints, limit the federal government’s power, and to give congressmen and senators term limits.

As of right now, there are 12 states that have passed this legislative resolution.

Last year Sen. Halloran introduced the same resolution which didn’t pass, but the hope is with the 16 co-sponsors for this bill from both sides of the aisle it will pass this legislative session.

“We have heard from opponents during floor debate on LR6 that the debt isn’t a big deal. That it’s a federal issue and I bet these same senators that are saying that, I bet they have a problem with the government shut down today. So don’t tell us it’s not just a federal issue we have a role in this at the stats. It’s your money it’s affecting all of us,” Brandon Benson a member of the Convention of States said.

They are predicting there won’t be an official convention of states for a couple of years, but they are hoping that this can start some momentum throughout the United States.