House and Senate committees plan to hear resolutions calling for a convention of the states to adopt a “countermand” amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The amendment would authorize states, upon a vote of three-fifths of state legislatures, to veto a federal law, executive order, judicial decision or other federal action seen as impinging upon state sovereignty.
Representative Shelley Hughes of Palmer introduced a pair of resolutions seeking to restore the balance of power between the states and federal government and strengthen state sovereignty by providing states with veto (countermand) power over federal decisions not in their best interest through a precise and careful mechanism established by an amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
“The pendulum has swung too far too long in favor of the federal government; it’s past time that it swings back,” said Hughes. “We can continue to send resolutions to the president and Congress, and it is important to make our voice heard, but because prior resolutions have not yet halted overreach, this is an actionable step we can take to restore the proper balance and strengthen our state sovereignty. It’s time for the Alaska State Legislature to not just speak up, but to step up.”