Congress Calls for Constitutional Convention to Tackle $36 Trillion National Debt: Ratification Requires Citizen Vote in 38 States

Here's the deal: Congress just dropped a resolution calling for a Constitutional Convention – basically, a meeting of the states to propose changes to the Constitution itself. This isn't your everyday bill; it's a direct response to the national debt skyrocketing from $860 billion to over $36 trillion since 1979, and the dollar losing a ton of its value. (SEC. 1)

Rewriting the Rules?

This resolution is invoking Article V of the Constitution, which allows for amendments to be proposed either by Congress or by a convention of states. They're going the convention route, claiming Congress has failed to get its financial act together. The stated goal is a "Fiscal Responsibility Amendment" – something to force the federal government to balance its budget and get the debt under control. (SEC. 1)

Power to the People (Maybe)

Here's a key twist: Any amendment proposed by this convention must be ratified by a vote of the people in 38 states. This is framed as ensuring the "vote of millions of citizens is upheld," with delegates at State Conventions casting the votes. It sounds democratic, but the details of how those delegates are chosen could get messy. (SEC. 1)

The Fine Print, and the Potential Problems

While the resolution focuses on fiscal responsibility, here is the catch with an Article V convention: Once it's convened, there's a risk it could open up the Constitution to all sorts of changes, not just the ones related to the budget. The scope is supposed to be limited, but that's not guaranteed. (SEC. 1)

Also, the resolution hinges on whether the House Clerk confirms that at least 34 states have already called for a Constitutional Convention on any national issues, plus the issue of fiscal responsibility. If that's not the case within 60 days of this resolution passing, the convention is off. So, there's some serious paperwork checking involved. (SEC. 1)

Real-World Implications: Beyond the Numbers

Let's be real: A balanced budget amendment sounds good, but it could mean major cuts to federal programs. Think about it – everything from infrastructure projects (roads, bridges, maybe even that new fiber optic line your small business is waiting on) to social security, defense spending and even research grants for things like renewable energy could be on the chopping block. It depends entirely on how "fiscal responsibility" gets defined in the amendment, and that's a huge unknown.

For example, a farmer relying on federal crop insurance or a student depending on federal loans could see those programs slashed. Even if you're working a steady office job, changes to federal spending could ripple through the economy, affecting interest rates, job markets, and even the value of your 401k.

The Bottom Line

This resolution is a big deal, and it's not just about numbers on a spreadsheet. It's about potentially rewriting the fundamental rules of how the government operates, with real-world consequences for everyone. It's also worth noting that the process for selecting delegates to the State Conventions could be open to influence, potentially allowing special interests to shape the outcome. It's definitely something to keep a close eye on.

(SEC. 2 simply dictates that the resolution be sent to the Administrator of General Services for forwarding to all state legislatures.)