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Senate Judiciary & Rules Committee rejects HCR 25 seeking Article V balanced‑budget convention
Summary
After hours of testimony for and against HCR 25, the Senate Judiciary & Rules Committee voted 4–5 not to recommend sending the resolution to the Senate floor. Supporters argued a balanced‑budget amendment is urgently needed; opponents warned of legal uncertainty and a potential 'runaway' convention.
The Senate Judiciary & Rules Committee on March 2, 2026 declined to advance HCR 25, a resolution that would apply for an Article V convention limited to proposing a balanced budget amendment.
Chairman Lakey called for a roll call after extended testimony and debate. Senator Doug Ricks, the bill sponsor, argued Idaho should join other states to pressure Congress and cited the federal deficit as a driving reason. After debate, Senator Foreman moved to send HCR 25 to the floor with a do pass recommendation; Senator Ricks seconded. The roll call vote failed 4–5. "I respectfully ask the Committee to send HCR 25 to the Senate floor with a do pass recommendation," Senator Ricks said during his closing remarks.
Supporters, including former U.S. Senator Larry Craig and advocates from the National Balanced Budget Amendment Campaign, argued a constitutional amendment is necessary to compel federal fiscal discipline. Opponents — ranging from the Idaho Republican National Committee representative to multiple local residents and party chairs — warned that Article V lacks specified rules for delegate selection and agenda control and that historical precedent shows conventions can exceed their mandates.
The committee’s nay votes were Vice Chair Shippy and Senators Lent, Keyser, Wintrow and Ruchti; ayes were Chairman Lakey and Senators Ricks, Foreman and Lenney. With the committee vote failing, HCR 25 will not be advanced by this panel at this time.
