I recently attended a presentation to the Humboldt Republican Central Committee in Dakota City by Iowa’s National Republican Spokeswoman, Tamara Scott. Her subject matter was opposition to supporting or convening an Article V, Amendments convention contained in the US Constitution by the states.
For those of you who aren’t aware of what Article V is- Article V is one out of seven Articles in our US Constitution that lays the foundation for how our federal government operates. Article V is how amendments are proposed for possible ratification to the same Constitution by the states. Amendments can be proposed by either Congress or by Convention of the several states (34).
A petition for holding an Article V Amendments convention is currently before the Iowa Legislatures. The petition contains Three Subjects- Fiscal responsibility (Federal Balanced Budget)- Reducing the size and scope of the Federal Government. And term limits for Federal officials and Congress.
This isn’t the First time Iowa Legislatures have petitioned Congress to convene an Article V convention. In 1904- SJR2, Direct Election of Senators (plenary), 1909- HJR9, again Direct Election of Senators (plenary). 1941- HCR15, Federal taxing Power, Repeal the 16TH Amendment. 1969- SCR13, Apportionment. 1972- HJR1, Revenue sharing. 1979- Balanced Budget, all applications are in force, and none have been Repealed.
The current petition before Iowa legislature contains three subjects, all three subjects are supported by the Iowa Republican Party’s 2024 Platform.
- Fiscal Responsibility (Balanced Budget), see- Platform principals-#1, #4 and Government #4, #20.
- Reduce the size and scope of the Federal Government. See- Preamble- Platform principals #1, #4, Government #4, #5, #8, #9, #10, #11, #20.
- Term Limits- see- Government #21.
Even though the Republican Party of Iowa supports all three of these subjects, they oppose the ONLY Constitutional method to make the necessary proposals. Mrs. Scott spoke against a Balanced Budget Amendment, telling the audience that we don’t need a Federal Balanced Budget. What if a National Emergency happens and the feds cannot borrow money? I’m wondering why Republican Zack Nunn of Iowa District 3, introduced as his first legislative action, HJR-12, a proposed Balanced Budget Amendment to the US Constitution.
As for Reducing the Size and Scope of the Federal Government, Mrs. Scott suggests, who gets to choose and where do we begin? I say start with what the Iowa Republican Party Platform suggests.
And as to term Limits, Mrs. Scott says, we already have term Limits, it’s called voting. Yet we seem to reelect the same federal representatives over and over and over.
Mrs. Scott also tells the audience how to hold our Federal Representatives accountable. We should remind them to obey the Constitution and demand they hold up to their oaths of office, plus remind them of the 10th Amendment. Mrs. Scott also informs the audience that an Article V convention is not a Republican idea nor a conservative one. Mrs. Scott should tell that to the previous Iowa Legislatures that filed for all those Article V petitions!
Mrs. Scott’s arguments are neither new nor original. The same arguments have been used for over 50 years by organizations like John Birch Society, Eagle Forum, Sierra Club, Joanna Martin (Publius Hulda), JBS spokesman Robert Brown, and even Common Cause. All use the same talking points, the same references, and the same techniques. They make you afraid of the unknown.
Mrs. Scott reassured the audience she was not fearmongering, but spoke two-and-a-half hours against Article V. I can find hundreds of references in my King James Bible that tells us “Fear not.” My favorite is Second Timothy, Chapter 1; Verse 7; “God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love, and of a sound mind.” Perhaps I should bring this to Mrs. Scott’s attention.
I for one am a Republican, a Conservative, and support calling an Article V amendments convention to take our country back!
- Quincy Droigk
