This website uses cookies to improve your experience.

Please enable cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website

Sign the petition

to call for a

Convention of States!

signatures

How Federal Agencies Expand Their Power

Published in Blog on July 17, 2017 by Convention Of States Project

Fox News reported yesterday the Environmental Protection Agency plans to adopt a proposal that would expand the definition of federal waterways to include seasonal and rain-dependent waterways.

In Texas, such an expansion would stiffen penalties for polluting waterways that supply drinking water to more than 11 million Texans and, according to Texas Attorney General Greg Abbot, "erode private property rights and have devastating effects on the landowners of Texas."

The EPA's sudden definition change exemplifies the primary means by which federal agencies expand their power: little by little, the EPA, the IRS, and the other bureaucracies in D.C. tweak and change the rules to give themselves jurisdiction over more and more facets of American life.

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality spokesman Terry Clawson hit the nail on the head when he said the TCEQ is "concerned that EPA's proposed rule expands its jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act without Congressional approval." (Emphasis added)

"Changing the definition of federal waterways" doesn't sound so dangerous, until we realize the consequence of this change is to expand the EPA's jurisdiction without approval or oversight from anyone.

Regulation itself isn't the problem. The problem is when agencies have the power to regulate without the consent, through Congress, of the people who will face the consequences of that regulation.

Enough is enough. Let's put decision-making power back where it belongs: with the people. 

Sign the petition to call for an Article V convention!

2,582,992 signatures

Petition your state legislator

Almost everyone knows that our federal government is on a dangerous course. The unsustainable debt combined with crushing regulations on states and businesses is a recipe for disaster.

What is less known is that the Founders gave state legislatures the power to act as a final check on abuses of power by Washington, DC. Article V of the U.S. Constitution authorizes the state legislatures to call a convention to proposing needed amendments to the Constitution. This process does not require the consent of the federal government in Washington DC.

I support Convention of States; a national movement to call a convention under Article V of the United States Constitution, restricted to proposing amendments that will impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, limit its power and jurisdiction, and impose term limits on its officials and members of Congress.

I want our state to be one of the necessary 34 states to pass a resolution calling for this kind of an Article V convention. You can find a copy of the model resolution and the Article V Pocket Guide (which explains the process and answers many questions) here: https://conventionofstates.com/handbook_pdf

I ask that you support Convention of States and consider becoming a co-sponsor. Please respond to my request by informing the national COS team of your position, or sending them any questions you may have:

info@conventionofstates.com or (540) 441-7227.

Thank you so much for your service to the people of our district.

Respectfully, [Your Name]

By checking this box, you agree to receive text messages sent via an “autodialer”. Our text messages are intended to inform you of events, calls to action, volunteering opportunities, and other matters pertaining to self-governance. Text STOP to stop receiving messages. Text HELP for more info. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. View Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Provide your full address and we will deliver your petition directly to your state legislators now and again during the legislative sessions, Free of Charge. We Protect your privacy.

We welcome all US citizens to support our movement by signing the petition. To deliver the petition to your state legislators, you must enter your full address, which must be within one of the 50 states. For military personnel serving overseas, or for expatriates, enter your Voting Residence Address .

Please be sure to check the "Send me email updates" box, and include your phone number above.

How did you hear about us:

Click here to get involved!
Convention of states action

Are you sure you don't want emailed updates on our progress and local events? We respect your privacy, but we don't want you to feel left out!

Processing...