Daw and Clark want National Constitutional Convention

 Rep. Brad Daw, R-Orem, is sponsoring a bill for this Utah legislative session calling for a national convention to amend the U.S. Constitution, a move that is needed to restore balance between the powers of state and federal governments.  Daw’s bill would have convention delegates draft an amendment that would require the states to ratify any increase to the U.S. debt ceiling hoping to force the federal government into fiscal restraint.

http://le.utah.gov/~2011/htmdoc/hbillhtm/HJR014.htm

Outgoing House Speaker David Clark, R-Santa Clara is also pushing for a constitutional amendment that would allow states to repeal laws passed by Congress or rules enacted by the federal government.  Clark wants to restore state’s rights and put balance back into the federal government.

Both amendments would require a national convention to amend the U.S. Constitution.  Under Article V of the Constitution, two-thirds of the states would have to call for a constitutional convention in order for the gathering to be convened. Any amendment proposed would need ratification by three-fourths of the states.

There has never been a constitutional convention and opponents think that until two-thirds of the states present the amendment to their legislatures simultaneously, the Utah Legislators shouldn’t take time away from Utah state issues to debate and vote on these constitutional amendments.