Rep. Dennis Powers represents Tennessee at Convention of States

TOP PHOTO: This is the view from where State Representative Dennis Powers sat at last week’s Convention of States Article V Convention Simulation at Williamsburg, Virginia.

WILLIAMSBURG, VA (SPECIAL TO WLAF) – State Representative Dennis Powers was selected to represent Tennessee at the Convention of States (COS) Article V Convention Simulation on Aug. 2-4 in Williamsburg, VA.  COS is preparing for the first-ever actual Convention of the States in the future when the states will actually be allowed to propose and pass amendments to the U.S. Constitution as prescribed in Article V of the U.S. Constitution.  

Rep. Powers served on the Fiscal Restraints Committee during the Convention.  Three total amendments were proposed which were passed by the 49 states present (Rhode Island being absent).  They were: 1. Balanced Budget Amendment 2. Congressional Term Limits (18 years) 3. Limiting the Supreme Court to 9 judges with 6 making a quorum (there is currently no constitutional provision on the number of judges and court-packing is always a concern).

Rep. Powers said, “It was a great experience to be in the same place where Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Henry and others stood and debated, but a real convention could last months. It takes 34 states to call the convention and 38 states to ratify any amendment. Most Americans see the need for what we proposed and believe in what we are trying to do to save our country.  These are amendments that Congress would never pass on their own and this undertaking has never been achieved in the history of our country.  

Article V was James Madison’s way of giving the states more control over a runaway- centralized federal government.  It was an honor to serve as Tennessee’s delegate and I look forward to the time when we have 34 states on board (we now have 20) to call the convention and all Congress can do about it is to set the date and time.  At that time, I hope to once again get to represent the values of the state where I was born and raised and love more than ever today!” (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 08/07/2023-6AM)