by Lynette Band, Lolo
I am writing to express my support for an Article V Convention of States (COS). With the federal government so obviously out of control, I also would like to know why some representatives in the Montana Senate choose to withhold their support for the Article V convention provision of our Constitution?
There are numerous scholars and leaders that used to be against Article V coming out publicly in support of a convention. They have all come to realize that the only constitutionally lawful method to address the current disastrous direction of our republic is for the states to reign in the three out of control branches of the federal government and eliminate all the unconstitutional bureaucratic agencies.
The most recent article supporting COS is an Oct 2, 2023 publication from the Heritage Foundation written by John Malcom, VP, Institute for Constitutional Government, “Reconsidering the Wisdom of an Article V Convention of the States.” In the past Malcom and Heritage have been strongly set against a COS with Malcom even writing an article in 2016 detailing arguments for his opposition. The ability to put a check on excessive federal power and runaway spending along with a 2020 SCOTUS ruling Chiafalo v. Washington that affirmed state delegates are required to follow state legislative limitations all are significant factors in changing Malcom’s position.
The Montana Legislative members took an oath to uphold and protect the US Constitution. It is high time for them to honor that oath and pass an Article V Resolution.