Texas Senate committee hears hours of testimony on SJR 54 calling for an Article V convention

The Senate Committee on State Affairs heard testimony Oct. 12 on Senate Joint Resolution 54, a proposed continuing application from the 89th Legislature asking Congress to call an Article V convention to propose amendments that would impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, limit federal jurisdiction and limit terms of federal officials.

SJR 54’s author, Senator Bergwall, presented the resolution as a renewal of a 2017 application and said the new measure would remove the 2017 sunset so the call would remain in effect “unless rescinded by a succeeding legislature.” Bergwall said, “SJR 54 is an application on behalf of the 89th Legislature for the Article 5 convention for those same 3 purposes.”

Why it matters: supporters said the move would pressure Washington to rein in federal power; opponents warned of a convention that could exceed its mandate or have lasting, irreversible consequences. The hearing drew seven named witnesses and more than an hour of debate on legal authority, delegate selection and the practical…