Unfortunately, it is not an academic threat. As I write this, far-right election denier Rep. Jim Jordan is holding a House Judiciary Committee hearing promoting a constitutional convention as a way to achieve draconian budget cuts and other right-wing goals. And he has powerful allies. The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) is trying to use the courts and Congress to force a convention, the push for a term limits is gaining momentum, and con con extremists have launched a super PAC and federal PAC bankrolled by a billionaire Texas oilman. Just last month, the Convention of States – run by Tea Party Patriots co-founder Mark Meckler – held a mock constitutional convention in Colonial Williamsburg, where GOP-only state legislators acting as “delegates” voted to approve amendments to the U.S. Constitution. The result? The right-wing legislators adopted amendments that would: - Allow a simple majority of states to rescind any act of Congress, the president or a federal agency.
- Radically curtail the federal government’s ability to protect the environment, consumers, and civil rights, and barring Congress from delegating rulemaking to federal agencies.
- Place a cap on federal spending that would trigger massive cuts.
- Lock in the Supreme Court at nine justices.
- Impose congressional term limits.
- Forbid the federal government from owning, regulating, or protecting any land or mineral rights without permission from state legislatures.
The resulting New Confederacy would bake minority political control by conservatives into the Constitution and give Charles Koch, ALEC, Big Oil, and other giant corporations and far-right fanatics exactly what they want – a hamstrung federal government that is powerless to address the climate crisis, provide a meaningful safety net, or protect our rights. California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s recent pursuit of a constitutional convention to specifically address gun violence could inadvertently advance those efforts. What threats does the Far Right’s strategy pose to our foundational governing institutions and the hard-won progress America has achieved in our pursuit of a truly pluralistic, multiracial democracy? Tune in to the The Imminent Threat of a Constitutional Convention and let’s talk! Hope to see you there,  Arn Pearson Executive Director | 
