A Response to the “Runaway Scenario”
NOTE: This is an updated version of an essay first published in 2013. For a comprehensive treatment of amendment law, […]
A Response to the “Runaway Scenario” Read More »
Count of Legislative Applications for a Balanced Budget Amendment
by Rob Natelson The following states have applications outstanding for a federal convention to propose a balanced budget amendment: Alabama,
Count of Legislative Applications for a Balanced Budget Amendment Read More »
New Flyer Explains How the States Can Use the Constitutional Amendment Process to Curb the Feds (Article V)
by Rob Natelson The Founders built various checks and balances into the Constitution. One of the most important was the
Do States Have a Right to Secede?
The news that thousands of people have signed a petition for their own states to secede from the union has
Do States Have a Right to Secede? Read More »
What now?
The November 6 election outcome has many friends of the Constitution dispirited. As so often before, they hoped that by
Constitutional Arcana: The Forgotten Navigation Convention of 1786
In an earlier post, I reported that the Constitutional Convention of 1787 was far from unique: that during the lifetime
Constitutional Arcana: The Forgotten Navigation Convention of 1786 Read More »
New Article: James Madison, Federal Overreaching, and Amendments Conventions
The writings of James Madison still offer useful guidance for states seeking to restrain federal overreaching. Akron Law Review has
New Article: James Madison, Federal Overreaching, and Amendments Conventions Read More »
New “how to” paper on proposing constitutional amendments by convention
The Independence Institute has published my new Issue Paper, Amending the Constitution by Convention: Practical Guidance for Citizens and Policymakers.
New “how to” paper on proposing constitutional amendments by convention Read More »
New History of Founding Era Conventions
Very few people know that the Constitutional Convention of 1787 only the last of nearly 20 other conventions in which
New History of Founding Era Conventions Read More »
Why an Amendments Convention is not a “Constitutional Convention”
Sometimes a convention for proposing amendments to the U.S. Constitution is referred to as a “constitutional convention.” That title is
Why an Amendments Convention is not a “Constitutional Convention” Read More »
The Great Forgetting
The meaning of some of the Constitution’s 18th century terminology was lost during the 19th century, leading to widespread misunderstanding.
The Great Forgetting Read More »
The Little-Known—but Seminal—York Town Convention of 1777
The U.S. Constitution authorizes a “convention for proposing amendments” to offer amendments for ratification (or rejection) by the states. The
The Little-Known—but Seminal—York Town Convention of 1777 Read More »