Article V of the Constitution states that a convention for states to propose amendments to the Constitution will be held when two-thirds of the state legislatures around the country apply to hold one. This is an alternate way to amend the Constitution; historically, only Congress has amended the Constitution. By 1979, two-thirds of the states had applied to Congress for a convention, 39 of the 34-state threshold, and that number continues to increase. However, according to the Federal Fiscal Sustainability Foundation (FFSF), “Since 1979, Congress has breached this unambiguous and non-discretionary ‘shall call’ obligation under Article V.” 

Since Congress has been stuck in gridlock for years, unable to control runaway spending, an Article V Convention is seen as a way for the states to bypass Congress and put a check on federal power. FFSF has been one of the leading organizations in this area. Its board includes Ken Cuccinelli, former Attorney General of Virginia and Acting Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FFSF is pushing for a fiscal responsibility amendment.

The Convention of States (COS) is another leading organization in this area. In addition to advocating for fiscal responsibility, COS seeks amendments to limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government and impose term limits on Congress and federal officials. 

FFSF, which is led by former U.S. Comptroller General David Walker, said the states need to sue Congress over its refusal to adhere to the Constitution. Article V consultant Sam Fieldman identified at least six........

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