Lawsuit Aims to Force Constitutional Convention to Expand Presidential Power

The Draft Lawsuit and Constitutional Convention

• ⚖️ A draft lawsuit has been created with the aim of forcing Congress to call a constitutional convention to amend the Constitution.
• 🎯 The stated purpose of the lawsuit is to address the national debt, but opponents fear it's a backdoor to expand Presidential power, particularly for Donald Trump.
• 📜 The mechanism for a constitutional convention requires two-thirds of the states to sign on to an effort to amend the Constitution.

Origins and Key Players

• 🏛️ The lawsuit was drafted by the Federal Fiscal Sustainability Foundation, an organization funded by budget advocates and the conservative group American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).
• 👤 Key figures involved include David M. Walker (former Comptroller General), Ken Cuccinelli (former Virginia Attorney General and Trump administration official), and David Bidol (longtime balanced budget activist).
• 🤝 Lisa Nelson, CEO of ALEC, has been documented facilitating meetings between the foundation, its leaders, and Republican Attorneys General.

Historical Context and Concerns

• ⏳ While efforts for a balanced budget amendment convention have stalled around 28 states for years, the lawsuit argues for a convention based on historical calls, including some dating back to the 1700s.
• ⚠️ Critics, including journalist Phoebe Petrovic, express concern that this effort, especially given the current political climate, could be exploited to expand presidential authority.
• ❓ The Article V convention process itself is a neutral mechanism, but its application and the forces behind it can lead to different outcomes, especially since it has never been used before.
• 🗣️ While some see it as a way for states to push back against federal power, others, including some conservative groups, are wary of a convention being taken over by progressives.

Current Status and Significance

• 📰 The story gained prominence due to the exclusive acquisition of the draft lawsuit by ProPublica, providing detailed insights into the ongoing efforts.
• 📈 Activists and scholars are concerned about the timing of this push, particularly in relation to the Trump administration.
• 🔍 The piece aims to expose affiliations and document the process, noting that the lawsuit is being taken to Republican Attorneys General and legislatures, without categorizing the movement as strictly right-wing or left-wing.