Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Constitutional Convention topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
House votes to rescind Utah’s prior call for a constitutional convention after extended debate
Summary
After hours of debate about Article V and the risks of an open constitutional convention, the Utah House passed a resolution rescinding its earlier call for a constitutional convention; the resolution passed 60–13.
The Utah House spent a lengthy portion of its Feb. 19 floor session debating a resolution that would rescind the state's earlier call for a constitutional convention and thereby withdraw a prior request related to a balanced‑budget amendment. The measure drew wide participation from members on both sides and passed the House 60–13.
Supporters of rescission argued that an Article V convention cannot be reliably constrained to a single subject and could expose the nation to unforeseeable constitutional changes. A sponsor cited legal opinions, including letters from prominent jurists and scholars, warning that once convened a convention could act as a sovereign body unconstrained by pre‑set limits. "Whatever gain might be hoped for from a new constitutional convention could not be worth the risks involved," a speaker said, urging rescission.
Opponents said they supported a balanced budget amendment in principle but argued that states could limit delegates and legal restrictions could bind convention agents. Representative Ken Wallops and others urged the House to retain the state's prior call, saying pressure from the states might be necessary to secure a national amendment.
After extended back‑and‑forth about the legal interpretations of Article V, the House adopted the rescission resolution by voice and recorded vote, with the clerk reporting 60 yes votes and 13 no votes.
The resolution will be forwarded to the Senate for consideration.
