Joint resolution calls for convention of states to amend Constitution

GILLETTE (WNE) —- Once again, Wyoming lawmakers will try to pass a resolution calling for a convention of states to amend the U.S. Constitution.

Senate Joint Resolution 1, sponsored by Sen. Eric Barlow, R-Gillette, and cosponsored by several other legislators, including Rep. Ken Clouston, R-Gillette, and Sen. Ogden Driskill, R-Devils Tower, calls for a convention of states to impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government and limit the terms of office for federal officials and members of Congress.

Article V of the U.S. Constitution gives states the power to call a convention to propose amendments. It takes 34 states to call the convention, and it takes 38 to ratify any amendments that are proposed.

Every amendment to the Constitution has come from Congress. A convention of states would be uncharted territory.

“It’s never happened,” Barlow said. “No one knows how it will be held because we don’t have the template.”

Barlow said this is something that people have been asking about ever since he first got into the legislature years ago.

Nineteen states have passed resolutions calling for a convention of states, he said, and the language in the joint resolution that is being proposed is from a national group that has been working on this since 2013.

It has been proposed to the legislature for the past few years but has not come close to passing.

In 2024, the House did not consider it for introduction, while it failed introduction in the Senate, 17-14. In 2023, it passed the Senate 17-13, but it failed in the House, 21-41. In 2022, it failed introduction in the House, 21-37. In 2021, the House did not consider it for introduction, while it failed in the Senate, 14-16. In 2020, it failed in the Senate, 10-20.

This story was published on January 7, 2025.