Twenty states have now passed the Convention of States resolution. Kansas crossed the threshold in early 2026, becoming the 20th legislature to apply to Congress for an Article V convention limited to three subjects: fiscal restraints on the federal government, limits on its power and jurisdiction, and term limits on federal officials. Fourteen states remain.The mechanics matter before the politics. Article V provides that Congress shall call a convention on the application of two-thirds of the states — 34 of 50. Once called, the convention proposes amendments requiring ratification by three-fourths of states — 38 of 50. That’s never happened in 236 years. All 27 amendments came through Congress proposing, and the states ratifying.When 34 states file, Congress has no discretion. The text says, “shall call,” not “may call.” Critics left and right share the same fear: a “runaway convention” where delegates ignore their scope. The 1787 Philadelphia Convention was supposed to amend the Articles of Confederation. The delegates scrapped them entirely. The counterargument holds, though — any proposed amendment still requires 38 states to ratify. A runaway convention could propose a new Constitution. It couldn’t enact one.