More states are pushing for a convention to rewrite the constitution

More than two dozen states, including California, have called for a new constitutional convention to potentially rewrite major portions of the United States' founding document. Just 34 states are required to be on board before this convention — which does not require the consent of Congress — could convene.

Though various political groups have pushed for a new constitutional convention in the past, Bloomberg reports that the bulk of the current momentum comes from fiscal conservatives who are interested in amending the federal government's fiscal power. However, were such a convention called, constitutional experts say it would not be feasible to limit the topic under consideration to any one issue.

Changes to the Constitution at the convention would come in the form of amendments, each of which would have to be ratified by three quarters of the states. Nevertheless, critics of the idea have expressed concern over the possibility of radical changes; in the words of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, "Whoa! Who knows what would come out it?"

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up