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An '''Article V Convention''' is a proposed new constitutional convention pursuant to Article V of the [[U.S. Constitution]].  The [[Convention of States]] proposal is for an Article V Convention.

An '''Article V Convention''' (also referred to as a "[[Convention of States]]" or a "Constitutional Convention", the latter often referred to simply as a "Con-Con") is one of two methods outlined in the [[U.S. Constitution]] allowing for its amendment.

The [[United States Constitution:Article V]] states that:

The [[United States Constitution:Article V]] states that:

{{cquote|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 ....}}

{{cquote|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 ....}}

Notice that it is only Congress which does the "call" for an Article V Convention, while the states can only apply for Congress to convene it.

 

All 27 Amendments to the Constitution have been proposed by Congress; the Article V Convention process has never been invoked by the states (though states have called for a convention to propose specific amendments, none have ever reached the 2/3rds necessary to invoke the process).

 

The provision itself has been the subject of controversy as to what might happen if invoked.  [[Phyllis Schafly]] has argued that it could result in a "runaway convention" whereby the result would be a whole new Constitution (using as an example the prior meeting of the states, under the original Articles of Confederation, which was to propose amendments to the Articles but resulted in the Constitution currently in effect as amended).

An attempt was made to insert a call for Article V Convention into the 2016 Republican Party platform, but the proposal was rejected by an overwhelming vote of the delegates on the platform committee.

An attempt was made to insert a call for Article V Convention into the 2016 Republican Party platform, but the proposal was rejected by an overwhelming vote of the delegates on the platform committee.

[[Category:United States Constitution]]

[[Category:United States Constitution]]