Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, campaigning for president in Iowa, says on his “first day in office” he will back a convention of states to amend the Constitution to enact term limits and a balanced budget.
“As president,” Rubio said during a rally in Iowa, “I will put the weight of the presidency behind a constitutional convention of the states so we can pass term limits on Congress and the Supreme Court and so we can pass a balanced budget amendment.”
Article V of the Constitution allows for a convention of states if 34 states pass an application for one. For an amendment to pass, 38 states must ratify it.
Since 2013, a group called the Convention of States Project has been pushing states to approve a convention to limit “the power and jurisdiction of the federal government.”
“The delegates at such a convention would have the power to propose amendments to the Constitution that would curb the abuses of the federal government,” the group’s website states.
State legislatures in Alaska, Florida, Georgia and Alabama have already adopted the resolution. (RELATED: Rand Paul ‘Appalled’ The NSA Spied On Congress)
Former GOP Oklahoma Sen. Tom Coburn, a supporter of the Convention of States Project, praised Rubio for his comments.
“Marco Rubio knows that the answers to American’s lack of confidence in Washington can only be fixed through an Article V Convention of States, restoring power to the states and the people by limiting the scope and power in Washington; placing term limits on politicians, forcing honest accounting and balanced budgets,” Coburn said. “He also knows that Washington will not fix itself.”
In a news release, the group said the idea is also supported by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Ohio Gov. John Kasich and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal.