Coburn Pushes Constitutional Convention At Capitol Meeting
Former Sen. Tom Coburn wants Oklahoma lawmakers to participate in convention to alter U.S. Constitution
by Rick Green
Former U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn came to the state Capitol on a mission Monday.
Coburn, who left the Senate two years early and is fighting prostate cancer, wants legislators to approve a resolution to have Oklahoma participate with other states in a convention to amend the U.S. Constitution. An overly powerful federal government must be reined in, he said.
Coburn, R-Muskogee, has been a foremost proponent of amending the Constitution in this way.
State Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, has authored a bill to put Oklahoma on record as wanting to participate in such a gathering.
His Senate Joint Resolution 4 says the convention would be limited to “proposing amendments to the U.S. Constitution 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.”