Coburn Calls for Amendments Convention to Limit Federal Powers

A former Republican lawmaker is trying to convince states to support a plan to hold a convention of the states that aims to limit the powers of the federal government and balance the budget.

Former Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma discussed his idea of invoking Article V of the Constitution during an interview with C-Span Tuesday morning.

"This is about rebalancing both the branches here in Washington and rebalancing the relationship between the states and the federal government," he said.

"Twelve [states] have signed, you have to have 34. Once you have 34, the Congress doesn't have any choice. They have to call an amendments convention, which is a convention of the states. Each state gets one vote on anything that happens there."

Article V of the Constitution reads as follows:

"The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate."

Coburn said he would like to see these three points discussed, debated, and voted on at said convention: "Limit the scope and jurisdiction of the federal government, force financial responsibility — i.e., a balanced budget amendment with generally accepted accounting principles — and limit the terms of both appointed and elected officials."

Coburn served in the House from 1995-2001 and then in the Senate from 2005-2015. He said the success of his idea, which has bipartisan support in many states, hinges on the American people.

"It's not gonna happen unless we the people make it happen," he said.