NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee lawmakers on Thursday joined four other states in calling for a national convention on amending the U.S. Constitution to bring about limits to federal power — what one supporter touted as the “atomic bomb” of politics.
The resolution sponsored by Republican state Rep. Sheila Butt passed on a 59-31 vote in the House. The Senate previously voted 23-5 in favor of the measure. The governor does not have veto power over resolutions passed by the Tennessee General Assembly.
Tennessee joins Alabama, Alaska, Florida and Georgia in approving the measure. A total of 34 states would need to pass the resolution for the convention to be called.
Republican Rep. Judd Matheny, a supporter of the measure, said the resolution should serve as a signal to the federal government that state legislatures are serious about wanting a greater say.
“The federal movement must know the states have mobilized, and we have put an atomic bomb on a plane and it is flying over the District of Columbia,” Matheny said. “And if they don’t listen, then we’re going to get done what needs to get done.”
Butt said the convention would focus on putting additional fiscal and jurisdictional restraints on the federal government and urge term limits for members of Congress. But opponents voiced concerns that a constitutional convention could quickly overstep those bounds and seek changes to religious and gun rights.
“They’re going to do things contrary to what we believe in Tennessee,” said Republican Rep. Rick Womick. “You’ve got 50 other players in this game and they’re not going to be thinking like us in Tennessee. They’re not going to send legitimate delegates with legitimate qualifications to these conventions.