SJR501 would rescind HJR1000, adopted by the Legislature in 2015, which applied to Congress to "call an Article V convention of the states for the sole purpose of proposing a federal balanced budget amendment."
The Senate failed to pass SJR501 on February 9, 2021, by a vote of 17 to 18. We have assigned pluses to the yeas because efforts to call an Article V or second constitutional convention should be resisted. Rather, states should seek to immediately nullify all unconstitutional federal laws. Article V of the U.S. Constitution was designed to correct structural deficiencies in the federal government, not the failure of elected officials to uphold their oath of office.
United States Constitution
Article V
The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.
