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House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	March 3, 2023 01:02 PM
From:	Representative Frank Burns and Rep. Dawn W. Keefer
To:	All House members
Subject:	Concurrent Resolution Calling for a “Convention for Proposing Amendments” Under Article V of the United States Constitution

Today, the federal government makes too many of the policies left to the states under our Constitution. When policies are made closer to home, at the state level, regular citizens have far greater access to the process and an opportunity to have their voices heard and considered. Nationwide polling conducted by Trafalgar Group last year revealed that nearly 2/3s of the American people--across party lines--support a convention of the states for the topics stated in this resolution. That is why we will be introducing a concurrent resolution calling for a “Convention of States” otherwise known as a Convention for Proposing Amendments, under Article V of the United States Constitution. The purpose of this convention will be to propose amendments to the United States Constitution, limited to consideration of the following possible topics: imposition of fiscal restraints on the Federal Government, limitations on its power and jurisdiction, and limitations of the terms of office for Congress and federal officials. The United States Constitution provides for two methods of proposing amendments. Amendments may be proposed by Congress, or, alternatively, by a “Convention for proposing Amendments (Convention).” Congress is required to call a Convention upon “application” by two-thirds of the states. This concurrent resolution serves as Pennsylvania’s “application” to Congress for such a Convention. Nineteen states have already adopted resolutions for these amendment topics. Thirty-four states must submit essentially identical Article V convention applications to Congress for a Convention to be called. We are sure many of you frequently hear constituents expressing a desire for someone to “do something about that mess in Washington.” This resolution reflects our willingness as state legislators to exercise our proper role in protecting and defending the Constitution of the United States by using the constitutional “check” that was provided to us by our Founding Fathers to exercise control over a runaway federal government. I ask you to please join us in supporting this resolution.

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