SJR503 applies to Congress for an Article V constitutional convention to propose amendments to the U.S. Constitution. It claims to seek amendments that would "impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, further limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and limit the terms of office for members of Congress and other federal officials."
The South Dakota State Senate passed SJR503 on January 26, 2026 by a vote of 25 to 9. We have assigned pluses to the nays because efforts to call an Article V "constitutional convention" must be resisted. A constitutional convention (Con-Con) would have the power to make major changes to the U.S. Constitution, or even completely rewrite it. Instead of failing to uphold their oath of office and risking the danger of a "runaway convention," which could act as a "trojan horse" to destroy many of the Constitution's limitations on government power, state legislators should act to immediately nullify all unconstitutional federal laws. Whenever the federal government assumes undelegated powers, in blatant violation of the 10th Amendment, nullification of such lawless acts is the proper remedy. Article V was designed to correct potential errors or defects in the Constitution, not to "misconstrue or abuse its powers." We must use Article VI to enforce the Constitution, rather than use Article V to alter or abolish it.
