Tennessee on Thursday became the fifth state to adopt a resolution that would call for a convention of states in hopes of limiting the power and jurisdiction of the federal government.
The move comes after the House of Representatives voted 59-31 in favor of a resolution that proponents say is limited in nature.
The resolution, drafted by the Convention of the States Project, seeks to do three things: “impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government and limit the terms of office for its officials and for members of Congress.”
Lawmakers spent nearly an hour debating the resolution, sponsored by Rep. Sheila Butt, R-Columbia, and co-sponsored by 58 others.
The conversation included discussion on topics such as the money the federal government allocates to Tennessee, marijuana, the “atomic bomb of politics” and voting rights.
Opponents of the effort, including Rep. Rick Womick, R-Rockvale; Terri Lynn Weaver, R-Lancaster; G.A. Hardaway, D-Memphis; and Craig Fitzhugh, D-Ripley, said they worried that the entire U.S. Constitution could be changed or altered.
“There’s nothing to keep our founding document to be actually thrown out,” said Fitzhugh, adding that could result in losing the right to free speech, the ability to bear arms and freedom of religion.
Butt said that wasn’t the case, and that the convention would be limited and based on (continue reading at Tennessean)