Sponsors present Article V call for convention to seek balanced budget, limit federal power and consider term limits

Representative McLean and Representative Willis presented sponsor testimony to the House Government Oversight Committee on House Joint Resolution 2, which urges Congress to call a convention of the states under Article V of the U.S. Constitution to consider amendments limited to three subjects: imposing fiscal restraints including a balanced budget amendment, limiting federal power and jurisdiction, and establishing term limits for federal officials.

The resolution’s sponsors said the Article V path is a last-resort mechanism the states may use when they judge Congress unwilling to act. "This resolution issues a call for a convention of states under Article 5 of the US constitution to propose amendments regarding limited subjects," Representative McLean told the committee. He later argued the measure is intended to restore federalism and constrain…