The Sconi

The group calling for a Convention of States resolution has gained another ally in its effort to amend the United States Constitution.

Wisconsin became the 16th state to pass the resolution calling for an Article V Convention of States, “to limit federal power, spending and terms of office,” according to a release by the COS. The Badger state joins Georgia, Alaska, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, Indiana, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arizona, North Dakota, Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, Utah and Mississippi. Nebraska, according to the COS release, is expected to vote on the COS resolution in the coming days. Thirty-four states will need to pass the resolution to call the Convention.

Wisconsin state Sen. Kathy Bernier from District 23 is one of the sponsors 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,” Bernier said in a statement given to COS. “Today we sent a message that Wisconsin stands ready to rein in federal overreach."

Known as Assembly Joint Resolution 9, the COS resolution passed 17-16 in the Wisconsin Senate after passing in the State Assembly by a 58-36 vote in May.

COS is working toward an amending convention, not a constitutional convention, according to its co-founder Michael Farris. A constitutional convention seeks to completely rewrite the framework of government and deliver a new Constitution, Farris said. An amending convention only offers particular amendments to the existing Constitution. The amendments, Farris said, must then be ratified by 38 states before becoming officially part of the Constitution.