fbpx

Stopping a Dangerous Article V Convention

The only way to defend our values against this threat is if ordinary people like us step up to make a difference. Join the fight today.

South Dakota rescission vote shows how complex the issue of an Article V constitutional convention really is

Last week, the South Dakota state senate held a vote on SJR 503 – legislation that would rescind all applications South Dakota has for an Article V constitutional convention.

In January, South Dakota had introduced HJR 5001, a resolution that would have added their names to the Convention of States initiative, which seeks to call a dangerous Article V convention to limit federal powers and falsely claims they can limit the scope of a convention and ensuring its safety. Luckily, lawmakers in South Dakota heard their constituents, understood the danger of the bill, and did not allow this legislation to pass 

Although HJR 5001 did not pass, South Dakota still has applications for an Article V convention open for a balanced budget amendment. Although this initially sounded like a good idea to constituents and lawmakers alike, it has now become clear that this legislation would come at a huge detriment to the American people and the civil rights and liberties they so enjoy. A convention allows for the possibility of taking away our inherent rights, such as voting, the freedom of speech and religion, and the right to privacy. This is a risk the United States simply cannot take. 

Senator Jeff Partridge, a Republican who originally voted for the convention application for balanced budget amendment when it was presented to South Dakota in 2015, spoke on the Senate floor about the dangers an Article V convention could pose for the nation. I was there in 2015 and voted for it, but what I’ve learned since about what they’ve talked about has really changed my mind.”  

Senator Partridge went on to say, “The good senator from Sioux Falls brought up some of the exact reasons that I take pause. The Rules Committee, the Procedures Committee, the actual call, all can change and frankly can be lobbied. To think that there’s going to be pure as snow legislators that go to some location in the United States and do the absolute right thing for our country, I think is naïve. I think we have to consider that that group of people might be very well intentioned, but also might be pushed around by lobbyists and there might be a whole other set of rules that have to go into it just for lobbying efforts alone.”  

Leaders across the country are facing immense issues that they must confront, but we cannot let these “solutions” bankrolled by wealthy special interest groups be the one-size-fits-all way to handle them.  

Thank you to the states who have introduced rescission bills and stood up for the rights and civil liberties of all Americans 

Related News

Scholars Invite Mark Meckler to Debate a Constitutional Convention

A public debate is slated for Thursday, February 6, 2020 at 5 pm MST in the Lincoln Room of the Idaho Legislature. This forum will offer both sides the opportunity to discuss the merits of the proposed Article V Constitutional Convention, or Convention of States, now being pushed through legislatures across the country.   A constitutional convention could put all our rights […]

Read More >

Breaking: New Polling Shows Majority of Republican Voters Oppose Changing Constitution through an Article V Constitutional Convention

A new national poll done by J. Wallin Opinion Research revealed a majority (59.2%) of Republican voters oppose changing the U.S. Constitution by calling an Article V Constitutional Convention. Further evidence in the poll shows the reluctance of Republican voters to take drastic steps to alter this foundational document.  Protecting and preserving the rights guaranteed […]

Read More >

Interest builds in a new constitutional convention, but is it a good idea? Editorial Board Roundtable

Interest builds in a new constitutional convention, but is it a good idea? Editorial Board Roundtable By the Editorial Board, cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer March 01, 2025 The Ohio GOP appears to be lining up behind the idea of a constitutional convention, with resolutions introduced in both the Ohio House and Senate. No more […]

Read More >

Op-Ed by New Jersey Leadership Highlights Threat of Article V Convention

Just before the new year, New Jersey became the latest state to rescind all calls for a constitutional convention. In doing so, New Jersey takes part in removing applications asking for a constitutional convention that, if it were to happen, leaves the door wide open for a complete runaway convention that has the power to […]

Read More >

Exposed: The Convention of States, a Campaign to Undermine 115 Years of Progressivism

This proposal calls for a convention with the broad purpose of limiting the powers of the federal government, imposing fiscal restraints on federal spending, and applying term limits for Members of Congress. Embedded within the legislation of this resolution is vague language lawmakers have intentionally placed – thus illustrating the very real possibility of a […]

Read More >

Do you know what your legislators are working on?

The Constitution has our rights and values woven through it so carefully and so cautiously because of the immense strength it needs to uphold the pillars of our democracy.   But these rights and the values at the core of our nation, the freedom of speech and freedom of religion, and right to vote, are now at stake. With […]

Read More >

Save the Constitution. GOP and Dem legislators agree: Don’t be conned by the Con-Con | Opinion

BY REP. ILANA RUBEL AND REP. JUDY BOYLE FEBRUARY 18, 2024 “Washington at Constitutional Convention of 1787, signing of U.S. Constitution” by Junius Brutus Stearns Public Domain We are of different political parties and often disagree, but are allied in our fierce devotion to America’s Constitution. It is now under serious threat from well-meaning people […]

Read More >

Former Governors Mike Huckabee and Scott Walker Descend on SC State House and Create Confusion

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee and former Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker recently visited the South Carolina State House to gather support for their “balanced budget amendment.”   What they did not discuss, however, was the damage a convention could do to the United States and the Constitution if this were to be called.   This pro-convention campaign is the one that has progressed the […]

Read More >

Stay Connected

We need your help before it's too late. Join our mailing list to receive important updates and help us mobilize.