Racine Sun

Wisconsin recently became the 16th State to call for an Article V Convention of the States.

On Jan. 25, the Convention of States Project announced in a press release that Wisconsin had passed their resolution, making the Badger State the 16th state to join the call for an Article V convention.

Supporters of the movement celebrated the passage of the resolution:

"Thank goodness our Constitution has given the states and the people a framework to step in and save the Republic when Congress will not," Wisconsin State Sen. Kathy Bernier said, according to the press release. "Today we sent a message that Wisconsin stands ready to rein in federal overreach."

The Convention of States Resolution, known as Assembly Joint Resolution 9, passed the Wisconsin Senate 17-16. It had previously passed the State Assembly in May 2021 by a vote of 58-36.

"Times like these are precisely why the Founders created the mechanisms in Article V," Wisconsin State Rep. Dan Knodl said, according to the press release. "Federal overreach has thrown our country into chaos, and it's time for the states to exercise their authority as granted to them in the constitution to restore order, states’ rights, and limited, constitutional government. I'm incredibly proud that our state has officially thrown its support behind this movement."

The resolution only allows a future Convention of States to consider either Constitutional amendments that would limit the "power and jurisdiction" of and impose fiscal restraints on the federal government or those that would create term limits for federal officials. 34 States must pass the resolution before the Convention is called.

"We passed our COS Resolution because we have dedicated, talented volunteers who never let anything get in the way of accomplishing the goal," Terry Certa, Convention of States Wisconsin, State Grassroots Coordinator said. "Giving up was never an option, no matter how bleak it looked at times during the last seven years."

"We also had great sponsors in Sen. Kathleen Bernier and former Sen. Tom Tiffany before her, and Rep. Dan Knodl, perhaps one of our greatest cheerleaders! And most of all, the hand of God was obvious and His timing was perfect, as always. As we reflect on this great accomplishment, we also look forward to the next chapter in Wisconsin...after all, our State motto is 'Forward!'"

The Convention of States works for an amending convention, not a constitutional convention. This is a significant difference because a constitutional convention seeks to completely rewrite the framework of government and deliver a new constitution, whereas an amending convention only offers particular amendments to the existing constitution. These amendments must then be ratified by 38 States before becoming officially part of the Constitution.