SJ5 would apply to Congress under Article V of the U.S. Constitution to call a convention for proposing constitutional amendments. The resolution focuses on limiting federal power, addressing the national debt, curbing federal mandates, imposing fiscal restraints on the federal government, and establishing term limits for federal officials and members of Congress.
The Wyoming State Senate passed SJ5 on February 24, 2026 by a vote of 19 to 12. We have assigned pluses to the nays because efforts to call an Article V "convention of the states" 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.
