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SCR114 • 2025

APPLICATION FOR A CONVENTION OF THE STATES UNDER ARTICLE V OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.

APPLICATION FOR A CONVENTION OF THE STATES UNDER ARTICLE V OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Richardson
Last action
2026-01-13
Official status
Defeated 1/13/26
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The resolution was defeated in the Senate on January 13, 2026, with a vote of 7 YES, 7 NO, and 7 NOT VOTING.

Application for a Convention of the States

A resolution asking Congress to call a convention of states to propose amendments that impose fiscal restraints on the federal government and limit its power.

What This Bill Does

  • Asks Congress to hold a convention of states under Article V of the Constitution.
  • Proposes that this convention should focus on imposing fiscal restraints on the federal government, limiting the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and setting term limits for officials.
  • Directs the Secretary of the Senate to send copies of this application to key members of Congress and other state legislatures.

Who It Names or Affects

  • The people of Delaware who are represented by their state legislature.
  • Congress and federal government officials.
  • Other states that might consider similar applications.

Terms To Know

Convention of the States
A meeting called for by at least two-thirds of state legislatures to propose amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
Article V
The part of the U.S. Constitution that explains how to add new rules or change existing ones.

Limits and Unknowns

  • This resolution was defeated in the Senate and did not become law.
  • It is unclear if other states will follow with similar applications.
  • The exact outcomes and impacts of a convention of states are uncertain.

Bill History

  1. 2026-01-13 Delaware General Assembly

    Introduced in Senate

  2. 2026-01-13 Delaware General Assembly

    Defeated By Senate. Votes: 7 YES 7 NO 7 NOT VOTING

Official Summary Text

APPLICATION FOR A CONVENTION OF THE STATES UNDER ARTICLE V OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.
This Senate Concurrent Resolution is an application for a Convention of the States under Article V of the Constitution of the United States.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Sen. Richardson & Rep. Dukes

Sen. Wilson; Rep. Hilovsky

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 114

APPLICATION FOR A CONVENTION OF THE STATES UNDER ARTICLE V OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.

WHEREAS, the Founders of our Constitution empowered State Legislators to be guardians of liberty against future abuses of power by the federal government; and

WHEREAS, the federal government has created a crushing national debt through improper and imprudent spending; and

WHEREAS, the federal government has invaded the legitimate roles of the states through the manipulative process of federal mandates, most of which are unfunded to a great extent; and

WHEREAS, the federal government has ceased to live under a proper interpretation of the Constitution of the United States; and

WHEREAS, it is the solemn duty of the States to protect the liberty of our people – particularly for the generations to come – by proposing Amendments to the Constitution of the United States through a Convention of the States under Article V for the purpose of restraining these and related abuses of power.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 153rd General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House of Representatives concurring therein, hereby applies to Congress, under the provisions of Article V of the Constitution of the United States, for the calling of a convention of the states limited to proposing amendments to the Constitution of the United States that impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and limit the terms of office for its officials and for members of Congress.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is hereby directed to transmit copies of this application to the President and Secretary of the United States Senate and to the Speaker and Clerk of the United States House of Representatives, and copies to the members of the said Senate and House of Representatives from this State; also to transmit copies hereof to the presiding officers of each of the legislative houses in the several States, requesting their cooperation.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this application constitutes a continuing application in accordance with Article V of the Constitution of the United States until the legislatures of at least two-thirds of the several states have made applications on the same subject.

SYNOPSIS

This Senate Concurrent Resolution is an application for a Convention of the States under Article V of the Constitution of the United States.

Author: Senator Richardson