Legislators From Around The Nation Gather At Statehouse For Mount Vernon Assembly

More than a hundred legislators from around the country will gather in Indianapolis this week to lay the foundation for a future constitutional convention. 

Article Five of the U.S. Constitution provides for the creation of a constitutional convention called by two-thirds of the states.  Fort Wayne Republican Senator David Long says the so-called Mount Vernon Assembly that will take place in Indianapolis beginning Thursday is meant to begin developing rules and procedures that would govern such a convention.  Long says state lawmakers from 33 states are gathering because of what he calls the erosion of states’ rights, emphasized in recent court rulings.

“And then the Obamacare decision really brought home the fact that the 10th amendment is pretty much dead; if you call it a tax, the federal government can pretty much do anything they want,” Long said.

But Indiana House Minority Leader Scott Pelath says the event is just a carnival show meant to pander to the far-right wing of the Republican Party.

“I think it’s political theatre – and by the way, it might be interesting to watch; theatre can be very entertaining," Pelath said. "But let’s not forget it is entertainment, it’s not far-reaching and serious solution-making.”

Long says the gathering is a bipartisan one and emphasizes that no specific proposed constitutional amendments will be discussed.