States Push to Limit Federal Power Through Convention

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A nationwide push to restrict federal power through a constitutional convention is gaining momentum, spearheaded by the Convention of States (COS) organization, which is actively engaging state legislatures across the country.

The Constitution’s Article V outlines two paths for constitutional amendments. While the traditional route requires two-thirds approval from both congressional chambers, an alternative method allows states to initiate changes through a convention when two-thirds of state legislatures (34 states) make the request. Any proposed amendments would still need ratification from 38 states.

Mark Levin, a conservative media personality, has endorsed the effort, declaring it “the most crucial movement in America, bar none!”

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Rick Santorum, a Newsmax senior political analyst and former Pennsylvania senator who advises COS, recently addressed New Hampshire lawmakers. “Washington is on a crash course, whether it’s financially, whether it’s the tyranny we’re seeing, candidly, from both parties when it comes to the president and how they wield their pens and tell you how they’re going to change things and do things presidents never thought heretofore they could do,” Santorum said, according to WMUR-TV.

Speaking to Newsmax, Santorum suggested that Trump’s electoral success and Republican congressional gains demonstrate public readiness for Washington power limitations. He emphasized that recent government overreach and Biden’s DEI initiatives have intensified desires to restore state authority.

Currently, 19 Republican-controlled states have approved convention resolutions. These include Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

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The movement has gained partial victories in South Dakota and Wyoming, where Senate approval has been secured. COS has organized “Capitol Surge Days” in twelve states, with plans for similar events in seventeen more. During these gatherings, activists lobby state representatives for support.

While Trump’s endorsement hasn’t been sought, several figures associated with his administration support the initiative. Santorum believes the group’s federalism-focused approach might appeal to Democratic states typically wary of constitutional conventions.

“We’re looking at guardrails,” he explained. “Nothing left or right crazy is going to be ratified. The things that pass and last are things the public wants, things that are wildly popular.”

Despite personal preferences for repealing certain amendments, like those enabling federal income tax and direct senatorial elections, Santorum acknowledges such changes would face insurmountable opposition. He estimates at least 17 Democratic states would block such proposals, making them impractical to pursue.