SCR161 SWEENEY, GILL
2

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION rescinding all applications
previously transmitted by the New Jersey Legislature to the
Congress of the United States calling for a convention for the
purpose of proposing amendments to the Constitution of the
United States.

BE Ir RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of New Jersey (the
General Assembly concurring):

1. All applications previously transmitted by the New Jersey
Legislature to the Congress of the United States calling for a
convention for the purpose of proposing an amendment to the
United States Constitution are hereby rescinded.

2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State,
shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly or the
Secretary of the Senate to the Clerk of the United States House of
Representatives and to the Secretary of the United States Senate in
Washington, D.C.

STATEMENT

Article V of the United States Constitution provides that on the

application of the Legislatures of two-thirds of the States, Congress
shall call a convention for proposing amendments to the
Constitution which will become valid when ratified by the
Legislatures of three-fourths of the states or by conventions in
three-fourths of the states. Although Congress has never called a
convention, it has received hundreds of petitions from state
legislatures over two centuries calling for conventions to address
various issues.
Research indicates that New Jersey has submitted at least eight such
petitions. Unfortunately, legal experts disagree about both the
longevity of these petitions and as to whether a convention called
for a particular purpose may consider amendments beyond the
scope of that purpose. There appears to be some risk, therefore,
that past petitions could become part of the basis for calling a
convention which addresses issues never contemplated by the
legislators voting for such petitions. Accordingly, this resolution
would rescind all petitions previously passed by the New Jersey
Legislature in order to prevent potential misuse of those petitions.



JERROLD NADLER, New York JIM JORDAN, Ohio
CHAIRMAN RANKING MEMBER

ONE HUNDRED SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS

Congress of the Wnited States

Howse of Representatives

COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY

2138 RAYBURN House OFFice BUILDING
WASHINGTON, DC 20515-6216

(202) 225-3951

March 18, 2022

The Honorable Cheryl L. Johnson

Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives
U.S. Capitol, Room H154

Washington, DC 20515

Dear Madam Clerk:

Pursuant to section 3(m) of House Resolution 8 (117 Congress), I hereby designate the
attached Memorial from the State of New Jersey, received by the House of Representatives in the
month of January 2022, as purporting to be a recission of a prior application of the state
legislature calling for a convention for proposing amendments to the Constitution of the United
States pursuant to Article V of the Constitution, and I request that you make it publicly available
electronically on the website of the Clerk. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Peabo

Jerrold Nadler
Chairman


Stare House

Dana M. BURLEY P.O. Box 098
Clerk of the General Assembly TRENTON, NJ 08625-0098
(609) 847-3115

December 20, 2021

The Honorable Cheryl L. Jackson
Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives
United States Capitol
Room H154
Washington, DC 20515-6601
Dear Madam Clerk:
The New Jersey General Assembly has adopted the following resolution:
Senate Concurrent Resolution - 161
In accordance with the directions contained therein, I am forwarding a copy to you.
Very truly yours,

abe yn Burley If.

Dana M. Burley
Clerk of the General Assembly

Enclosure
DMB/JVC

Printed on Recycled Paper


SENATE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION No. 161

STATE OF NEW JERSEY
219th LEGISLATURE

INTRODUCED NOVEMBER 8, 2021

Sponsored by:

Senator STEPHEN M. SWEENEY

District 3 (Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem)
Senator NIA H. GILL

District 34 (Essex and Passaic)

SYNOPSIS
Rescinds all applications previously transmitted by the New Jersey
Legislature to Congress calling for constitutional convention.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.

(Sponsorship Updated As Of: 12/2/2021)