Its Official!
Kansas has officially become the 20th state to pass the application for an Article V convention!
On January 22, the Kansas House of Representatives made history by approving the Convention of States resolution – SCR 1604 – by a decisive vote of 80-42
The resolution was easily approved by the Kansas Senate last year by an equally impressive vote of 29-11.
As you know, this victory was not an overnight success. While the COS resolution has long had consistent and strong support in Kansas, It has taken well over a decade of hard work, overcoming disappointments, and staying the course to achieve passage.
It’s often said that fortune favors the brave. In this case, it also favors the resolute.
Just last year, Kansas came within inches of passing our resolution. It cleared the Kansas Senate with a commanding supermajority vote of 29–11 and was headed to the House for final action.
Then we hit a roadblock.
At the time, the Kansas Constitution required a two-thirds supermajority in both chambers to pass an Article V application. But now, that obstacle is gone. In November, a legal challenge to that provision succeeded.
While the now-defunct supermajority requirement created real difficulties for the Kansas team, their tireless efforts in the wake of frustration and disappointment have now been rewarded.
The fortitude demonstrated by the Kansas team is a testament to the kind of consistent and committed grassroots activism that will eventually result in an Article V convention.
Thousands of Kansans have kept the faith for over ten years, showing up to events all over the state, talking with fellow residents and convincing them to sign the COS petition, while also establishing professional, cordial, and effective relationships with state lawmakers and staff in order to advance the COS resolution in both houses of the legislature over and over again.
Congratulations to everyone who had a hand in making Kansas the 20th state in the union to pass the Convention of States resolution! With a grassroots network of millions of supporters and volunteers in every legislative district, we remain focused on calling the first-ever Article V convention to limit federal overreach. Victory in the Sunflower State only adds more to the significant momentum that our movement has generated.
Thirty-seven other states have already started their legislative sessions, and 16 more will begin before the end of January. Since COS first started, the COS Resolution has been filed in all 50 states, passed committees in 33 states, passed one legislative chamber in 27 states…and some of the leadership in the Ohio legislature have declared that THEY want to pass the COS Resolution this year.
Standing with you,
The COS Team
[this is the constitutional process whereby the states call for a new constitutional convention. we finally get term limits, and a general refresh of the Constitution]