New Mexico asks Congress to call a convention on federal powers

The New Mexico Legislature asks Congress to call a convention of states to propose constitutional amendments on federal spending, land authority, and terms for federal officials and members of Congress. The request is made by the New Mexico Legislature to Congress under Article 5 of the U.S. Constitution. Congress would call the convention only after applications on the same subject from two-thirds of state legislatures. Any amendment proposed at the convention would take effect only if three-fourths of the states ratify it. The application continues until at least two-thirds of state legislatures apply on the same subject.

The New Mexico Legislature would appoint commissioners, include federal land users among them, and instruct them to pursue limits on federal power over public and private lands. These appointments and instructions concern New Mexico’s representatives at the proposed convention. Any amendment proposed by the commissioners would take effect only if three-fourths of the states ratify it. The appointments and instructions apply to the proposed convention; any amendment would take effect only if three-fourths of the states ratify it.