Breitbart: Texas House calls for Article 5 Convention to restrain federal government

By Lana Shadwick, May 15, 2015, Breitbart / Convention of States

A Texas House Joint Resolution passed Thursday would, if passed by the Texas State Senate, ask the U.S. Congress to call an Article 5 convention, which would propose Constitutional amendments to impose fiscal restraint on the federal government, reduce its powers and jurisdiction, and limit the terms of office for federal officials and members of Congress.

Article 5 of the U.S. Constitution requires Congress to call a convention to propose constitutional amendments if the legislatures of two-thirds of the states apply.

Amendments adopted at an Article 5 convention would require ratification by three-fourths of the state legislatures.

In 1977, the 65th Texas Legislature submitted HCR Number 31 to the federal government, asking Congress to prepare and submit to the several states an amendment to the U.S. Constitution requiring a federal balanced budget. In the alternative, it asked Congress to call a Constitutional convention for the purpose of proposing a balanced-budget amendment.

The new application would serve as a continuing application, pursuant to Article 5, unless rescinded by a future legislature. The Texas request would stand until at least two-thirds of state legislatures applied for a convention that would impose restraint on the federal government’s spending and jurisdiction, as well as term limits for federal representatives and officials.

More:  www.conventionofstates.com