HF 362

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 05/04/2016 02:10pm

A resolution
memorializing Congress to call a convention to propose amendments to the United
States Constitution to impose fiscal constraints 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.

WHEREAS, the founders of our Constitution empowered state legislators to be guardians
of liberty against future abuses of power by the federal government; and

WHEREAS, the federal government has created a crushing national debt through improper
and imprudent spending; and

WHEREAS, the federal government has invaded the legitimate roles of the states through
the manipulative process of federal mandates, most of which are unfunded to a great extent; and

WHEREAS, the federal government has ceased to live under a proper interpretation of the
Constitution of the United States; and

WHEREAS, it is the solemn duty of the states to protect the liberty of our people -
particularly for the generations to come - by proposing amendments to the Constitution of the
United States through a convention of the states under article V for the purpose of restraining
these and related abuses of power; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Legislature of the State of Minnesota, that pursuant to article V
of the Constitution of the United States, the Legislature of the state of Minnesota petitions the
Congress of the United States of America, at its session, to call a convention of the states limited
to proposing amendments to the Constitution of the United States that 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.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this application constitutes a continuing application
in accordance with article V of the Constitution of the United States until the legislatures of at
least two-thirds of the several states have made applications on the same subject. It supersedes all
previous applications by this legislature on the same subject.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of State of the State of Minnesota is
directed to prepare copies of this memorial and transmit them to the President and the Secretary of
the United States Senate, the Speaker and the Clerk of the United States House of Representatives,
the presiding officers of both houses of the legislatures of the other states of the Union, and to
Minnesota's Senators and Representatives in Congress.