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The Texas House has approved a resolution calling for a new U.S. constitutional convention. The aim of the convention would be to propose a series of amendments to limit federal power and spending, as well as to impose term limits on members of Congress.
Debate over the measure was sharp and partisan, but brief. In one exchange, State Rep. Roland Gutierrez (D-San Antonio) challenged one of the bill's leading advocates, State Rep. Rick Miller (R-Sugar Land), regarding the House's recent passage of the "Sanctuary Cities" bill.
"What do you tell all those good folks about the unfunded mandate that we did last week?" Gutierrez asked.
"We're here to discuss this resolution. Okay?" Miller said.
"But that's my point, Representative Miller," Gutierrez said. "We're here talking about your so-called federal overreach. And yet your own party just last week suggested to all of us that we want to have more federal government in our backyard. We want to abrogate local control."
The resolution is now the second of Governor Greg Abbott's four emergency items for the legislative session to make it across the finish line, following the Sanctuary Cities legislation. Child Protective Services reform and ethics reform remain several steps from completion.
Article V of the U.S. Constitution requires two-thirds of the states to call for such a convention for one to take place – 34 out of the current 50. Passage of this resolution makes Texas number 11.
