I urge you to oppose SJM 8000, SJM 8004, and HJM 4002, which would apply to Congress to call a convention to propose amendments, under Article V of the Constitution, otherwise known as a constitutional convention (Con-Con). I don't care what specific changes to our Constitution these resolutions call for -- a Con-Con is a dangerous idea that could lead to unintended and harmful consequences. The solution is to enforce the Constitution, not to change it. Please oppose and vote against SJM 8000, SJM 8004, and HJM 4002.

I implore you to oppose SJM 8000, SJM 8004, HJM 4002, and all other Article V convention resolutions, no matter their subject or the policy they seek to advance. An Article V convention would be a win for special interests and a loss for our country. The subject the convention would seek to act on is irrelevant -- a Con-Con could destabilize our country and become out-of-control. Our country is divided now, probably more than at any other point in history. The only thing that unites us is our shared Constitution. Why should we also take away this point of unity? A Con-Con could also limit the Bill of Rights, and either way, once a Con-Con is called, nothing would stop delegates from proposing amendments completely unrelated to what the Con-Con supporters want. The pro-Article V convention position rests on a false presupposition -- that there's something wrong with the Constitution that changing it would fix. Even if there were (there's not), the divisiveness and destabilizing effect of a Con-Con would neutralize any potential for an improved document. Oppose all Con-Con applications, including SJM 8000, SJM 8004, and HJM 4002.

I strongly request that you oppose SJM 8000, SJM 8004, HJM 4002, along with every other Con-Con resolution. Any Con-Con application -- regardless of the topic -- could have a destructive effect on our country and Constitution, and should be opposed. A runaway convention will likely result -- similar to the 1787 constitutional convention -- and result in changes that nobody originally called for. These changes could limit our constitutional freedoms. For any amendments to pass, it would realistically need support from across the political spectrum. This makes the outcome of a Con-Con even more unknown. SJM 8000, specifically, could lead to changes to the First Amendment, on topics like free speech, especially considering that the Citizens United decision was a First Amendment case. I don't think that any changes to the Constitution, in this area or other areas, would be superior to the current text. Oppose SJM 8000, SJM 8004, and HJM 4002, and work to ensure it doesn't pass.

Please oppose SJM 8000, SJM 8004, HJM 4002 and every other resolution applying for an Article V convention. It would be destructive to our country. Our Constitution is one of the few things that unites us. After all, it's been the law of the land longer than any other national constitution. Changing it will cause significant unrest. Our founding fathers, including George Washington (in a 1788 letter to Richard Peters) and James Madison (in a 1788 letter to George Lee Turberville) opposed a second constitutional convention as it would divide the country and cause instability. More recently, the late Justice Antonin Scalia (in 2014 and 2015 interviews) expressed opposition. A convention could go anywhere, and amendments could very likely be proposed that Article V convention proponents do not intend. Just as importantly, we don't even need an Article V convention to solve the problems facing our country. Many problems aren't because of "flaws" with our 230+-year-old constitution, but rather the fact that we haven't been following it consistently. In this case, please take a look at Article VI, which provides for the nullification of unconstitutional laws, rather than Article V.

I urgeyou to vote against SJM 8000 and every other bill calling for an Article V convention to propose amendments to the U.S. Constitution. There are many reasons why an Article V convention would be harmful to our country. It could lead to an "out-of-control" convention, special interests and other unsavory groups will inevitably take advantage of it, it will lead to unrest, and it falsely assumes that changing the Constitution will solve our country's problems. All-in-all, an Article V convention is unnecessary, unwelcome, and could severely harm our nation. Work to stop it, including by defeating SJM 8000.