[Congressman Billybob]

You are not reading the language of Article V, which you printed in your response. It is quite clear that there are only two sources of proposed amendments. They are: 1) proposal by a two-thirds vote of both Houses of Congress, or, 2) proposal by vote of a new Constitutional Convention, but that required a call for a Convention by two-thirds pf the states.

That's it. There is no power for states to propose directly a particular amendment. What you are thinking of is the two-rail shot that the states used concerning the 17th Amendment itself. The states said to Congress, "Please pass an amendment to make the Senate elective. But if you refuse to do that, you MUST give us a new Convention to write that amendment."

That tactic worked, when enough states had acted to force a new Convention, the Senate relented and the amendment came out of Congress by the normal route.

But, what this thread is talking about, direct proposal of amendments by the states, does not exist and therefore cannot be used.

Congressman Billybob

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[ForGod'sSake]

Quick question Billybob, but I've got some things to attend to and I'll have to check back later in the day: Could the States restrict a CC to only addressing say, repeal of the 17th? OR, could it potentially turn into a re-write of the entire Constitution?

[Ken H]

My error. Thanks for the explanation!

I wonder why they don't simply recommend following Article 5.