Legislator Calls for Article V Convention

March 8, 2025

Iowa Legislation Calls for Article V Convention

A bill has been introduced that calls for an Article V convention to propose amendments to the US Constitution that will impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and impose term limits on federal officials and members of Congress. 

The Iowa Chapter of the Sierra Club is opposed to an Article V convention. 

What you can do:

This passed through the House State Government committee and is ready for a floor vote.   Ask your state representative to oppose HJR11 (formerly HJR6).   To look up your House member, see www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/house  or to Find your legislator

 

So, you might be asking yourself, what is going on?

Let’s turn to the language of the proposed legislation calling for an Article V convention.  The legislation clearly states the reasons the legislators are asking for a convention:

“WHEREAS, the founders of the Constitution of the United States empowered state legislators to be guardians of liberty against future abuses of power by the federal government; and
WHEREAS, the federal government has created a crushing national debt through improper and imprudent spending; and
WHEREAS, the federal government has invaded the legitimate roles of the states through the manipulative process of federal mandates, most of which are unfunded to a great extent; and
WHEREAS, the federal government has ceased to function under a proper interpretation of the Constitution of the United States; and
WHEREAS, it is the solemn duty of the states to protect the liberty of our people, particularly for the generations to come, by proposing amendments to the Constitution of the United States through a convention of the states under Article V of the Constitution of the United States for the purpose of restraining these and related abuses of power”

 

What are the concerns?

If you look at the wording from the legislation, practically all of our current laws and rights could be under siege by a convention – environmental protection, voting rights, and more.  Our politics have become divisive, including an insurrection at the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021, that attempted to overturn an election.  Pushing an Article V convention leads us on a path of even more divisiveness.  The tone of the “whereas” clauses continues partisanship and divisiveness and does not reflect ways to move us forward as a country.  A rogue convention is a great threat – to our democracy, to our freedoms, to the respect for our society, even though these bills attempt to control the issues the delegate or delegates from Iowa can consider at a convention.

What are the steps if an Article V convention is called?

Article V of the United States Constitution provides mechanisms for amending the Constitution.  One way is for a convention that allows delegates from each state to propose amendments to the Constitution.  That process involves several steps:

  • 2/3 of the states must call for a convention
  • The convention approves the proposed amendments
  • 3/4 of the state legislatures would be required to ratify the amendment for it to become part of the constitution