WC Wisconsin News

Wisconsin joins 15 states to pass the Convention of States (COS) Resolution that’ll limit federal power, spending and terms of office.

Joanne Laufenberg, Convention of States Wisconsin’s state director, is celebrating this feat.

“We owe a debt of gratitude to the national COS team and volunteers across the country for their constant support, guidance and resources,” she said. “Their experience, wisdom, literature, vendor fees, training, hearing testimonies, media hits, website, leadership, in-person regional meetings, national summit, fundraising and lobbyists have been instrumental in our success. We were clearly stuck when they called in the professionals who by and large got us over this first finish line.”

Laufenberg met with state officials who impressed her with their similar goals.

“They’ve restored my faith in the legislative process,” she said. “I’m not sure it’s possible to give the Wisconsin team and their families enough credit. They endure challenges, unwarranted criticism and valid correction; yet still persevere beyond any reasonable expectations and work tirelessly to restore freedom.”

Wisconsin State Rep. Dan Knodl added federal overreaching is an issue within his state.

“Times like these are precisely why the Founders created the mechanisms in Article V," he said to COS’ website. “Federal overreach has thrown our country into chaos, and it’s time for the states to exercise their authority as granted to them in the constitution to restore order, states’ rights and limited, constitutional government. I’m incredibly proud that our state has officially thrown its support behind this movement.”

On Jan. 25, the Convention of States Project announced that Wisconsin had passed their resolution, making the Badger State the 16th state to join the call for an Article V convention.

The resolution only allows a future Convention of States to consider Constitutional Amendments that would limit the "power and jurisdiction" of and impose fiscal restraints on the federal government or those that would create term limits for federal officials. Thirty-four states must pass the resolution before the convention is called.

The Convention of States Resolution, known as Assembly Joint Resolution 9, passed the Wisconsin Senate 17-16. It had previously passed the State Assembly in May 2021 by a vote of 58-36.

COS works for an amending convention, not a constitutional convention. This is a significant difference because a constitutional convention seeks to completely rewrite the framework of government and deliver a new Constitution, whereas an amending convention only offers particular amendments to the existing Constitution. These amendments must then be ratified by 38 states before becoming officially part of the Constitution.