First State Times

On March 19, Convention of States Action (COSA) in Delaware kicked off its block walking efforts in the First State.

COSA said that its message was "met with curiosity, support and excitement" and that they "hope to gain the support of our representatives and senators in passing the resolution to call a Convention of States."

According to the COSA website, the Convention of States resolution has been passed in 18 states, over half of the necessary 34 to call a convention. Wisconsin, Nebraska and West Virginia are the three most recent states to act, all passing the resolution earlier this year.

First State Times contacted COSA State Director Ginny Watkins to explain the mission of the organization. 

"Article V is the place in the U.S. Constitution where our Founding Fathers gave us two methods to amend the Constitution," Watkins told First State Times. "In the first method, Congress initiates the process, approves the proposed amendment by a two-thirds vote and then sends it out to the states for ratification. All 27 amendments currently in our Constitution have originated this way."

Watkins explained that there is an alternative to the tradition amendment route.

"There is another method, given to us for the purpose of reining in an out-of-control federal government, which we are using for the first time," Watkins said. "Article V Clause II gives the states the power through their legislatures to call for a Convention of States. When two-thirds (34) of the states pass the application for the convention, delegates from all of the states will meet to propose and discuss potential amendments to the Constitution. Once the potential amendments are voted out of convention, they go back to the states for the familiar ratification process by three-fourths (38) of the states. This method bypasses Congress completely, which is important, since clearly it is not taking any measures to limit its own power."

The resolution only allows a future Convention of States to consider Constitutional Amendments that would limit the "power and jurisdiction" of and impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, or those that would create term limits for federal officials. 

Watkins said that the movement is gaining traction in Delaware.

"Here in Delaware, we have a growing team of grassroots activists who are educating and seeking the support of the public and our state legislators," Watkins told First State Times. "Citizens of Delaware who agree that we need to use our power to rein in the federal government are encouraged to go to our website, ConventionOfStates.com, and sign our petition, which will generate a letter to their state legislators asking them to support this effort. More importantly, they should go to the 'take action' tab and sign up to get involved."

COSA works for an amending convention, not a constitutional convention, according to COSA co-founder Michael Farris. This is a significant difference because a constitutional convention seeks to completely rewrite the framework of government and deliver a new Constitution, whereas an amending convention only offers particular amendments to the existing Constitution. These amendments must then be ratified by 38 states before becoming officially part of the Constitution.

"No matter their skills, experience or time availability, there is an opportunity for virtually everyone who believes in our cause to help," Watkins said. "We need people to gather petitions, write letters to their state legislators, make phone calls, visit Legislative Hall with our team or join us in block walking, among many other activities. We have an amazing training program, and we work closely together as a team. No experience is required, just a passion to help save our republic!"