Des Moines Sun

It seems the momentum for an Article V Convention of States is gaining steam as supporters say that they have seen a rejuvenated enthusiasm for their cause. Many have joined the organization to propose amendments limiting the federal government’s power.

Convention of States Iowa District Capt. James Walker told the Des Moines Sun that he has seen the movement grow monumentally.  

"I've been doing the gun shows for the past two years because I believe this is the most important issue facing our country today," Walker said. "I started because I saw a need to grow our base and inform the public that it is possible to put our federal government back into the limited box that our founders intended.”

On Feb. 10, the Convention of States proposal (Senate Joint Resolution 2004) went through the Iowa Legislature at the State Government Committee. It now goes to the senate.

According to the Iowa Capital Dispatch, former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum was recently in the state to call for the backing of the Convention of States resolution and hopes that leaders will soon act on the bill. He describes the federal government as being in a tailspin.

According to the organization, the resolution has been passed in 17 states and needs to get 34 to back it before it can enact a convention. Wisconsin and Nebraska are the two latest states to pass the resolution.

The Convention of States says that a probable constitutional amendment would restrict the "power and jurisdiction" of and enact fiscal limits on the federal government, “or those that would create term limits for federal officials.”

The organization promotes amendments that would impose limitations on the size and scope of the federal government. It does not back a constitutional convention, which would completely redo the constitution. Rather, it wants an amending convention that would provide specific amendments to the constitution.