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Montana House rejects Article V convention resolution, 42–58
Summary
House Joint Resolution 5, an application for an Article V convention of the states, failed second reading 42–58 after lengthy debate about risks and potential benefits.
The Montana House of Representatives voted 42–58 to reject House Joint Resolution 5, a proposed application for a convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution that would allow states to propose amendments to the federal Constitution.
Sponsor Representative Scott Clacken framed the resolution as a response to what he described as uncontrolled federal spending and expanded federal power, asking rhetorically on the floor, "What are you gonna do about the $36,000,000,000,000 debt that keeps rising?" He urged colleagues to use the Article V process to rein in Washington.
Opponents cautioned that an Article V convention could be unpredictable and raise governance questions that the Constitution does not resolve. Representative Love pressed supporters for legal or historical rules that would guarantee a narrowly limited convention, saying, "Show me an Article 5 where it supports your claims." Representative Linda Millett warned of unintended consequences and stressed that problems such as deficits and career politicians are often "people problems" that state action alone cannot solve.
Backers argued the amendment process in Article V includes ratification safeguards — one speaker noted three quarters of the states (38) would have to ratify any proposal — and framed the measure as a legitimate tool for states to signal dissatisfaction with federal policy.
After extended debate, the House recorded 42 aye votes and 58 no votes on the motion to recommend the resolution do pass; House Joint Resolution 5 failed to pass second reading.
Floor discussion included questions about delegate selection, the role of Congress in setting rules for a convention, and the political uncertainty of any future convention. Lawmakers on both sides cautioned that the process and potential long‑term effects are not fully predictable.
