As I predicted in this column, Congress’s continued inability to deal effectively with the debt crisis is AGAIN provoking interest in bypassing Congress with one or more corrective constitutional amendments. We could do this if the state legislatures use their constitutional power to bring about what the Constitution calls a “convention for proposing amendments.”

I’m delighted to report that Tennessee Law Review has devoted an entire issue to the subject, and that it selected my piece as the lead article in a symposium graced by contributions from several of the nation’s top constitutional scholars. I wrote the article because misunderstandings and misinformation about “conventions for proposing amendments” is rampant—even among many people who should know better. The article is based on Founding Era practice, subsequent history, and judicial case law. Although such a convention has never been held, the available information is sufficient to resolve most major questions.

Note that a “convention for proposing amendments”  is the official name given by the Constitution to the gathering. It is not a “constitutional convention,” as so often called. The article discusses this and many other questions. Those wishing to check sources will find it very densely footnoted.

You can read it here: Rules_for_Art_V_Conventions

Thanks again to the Goldwater Institute for support it provided for much of my research.

Rob Natelson

The 10th Amendment

“The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”

LEARN MORE

01

Featured Articles

On the Constitution, history, the founders, and analysis of current events.

featured articles

02

Tenther Blog and News

Nullification news, quick takes, history, interviews, podcasts and much more.

tenther blog

03

State of the Nullification Movement

232 pages. History, constitutionality, and application today.

get the report

01

Path to Liberty

Our flagship podcast. Michael Boldin on the constitution, history, and strategy for liberty today

path to liberty

02

Maharrey Minute

The title says it all. Mike Maharrey with a 1 minute take on issues under a 10th Amendment lens. maharrey minute

Tenther Essentials

2-4 minute videos on key Constitutional issues - history, and application today

TENTHER ESSENTIALS

Join TAC, Support Liberty!

Nothing helps us get the job done more than the financial support of our members, from just $2/month!

JOIN TAC

01

The 10th Amendment

History, meaning, and purpose - the "Foundation of the Constitution."

10th Amendment

03

Nullification

Get an overview of the principles, background, and application in history - and today.

nullification