Meeting Public Comments

Subcommittee meeting and times are as follows:

HJR 2004

A joint resolution calling for an Article V convention in order to propose amendments to the Constitution of the United States that limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, impose fiscal restraints, and limit the number of terms that a person may serve in Congress or as a federal official.

Subcommittee members: Lundgren-CH, Dunwell, Zabner

Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Time: 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM

Location: RM 19

Names and comments are public records. Remaining information is considered a confidential record.

Comments Submitted:

02-05-2026

Kaylon Spengler

COS legislation is common sense legislation and the last lever to pull to keep an out of control government in check. Please advance this and add Iowa to the list of states prepared to save this country; should it happen.

02-05-2026

Todd Daily

The Federal Government has become too large, and we, the people, would like to call it to account. It's time to reduce its size, power, and taxation, returning more control to the states. We are tired of people in Washington spending Iowans' money recklessly. We want the state to have control over our own economy, education, and other areas. Please move this through committee and onto the floor!

02-05-2026

Todd Strong

Hello. It is absolutely imperative that Iowa votes yes to join the states that participate in the convention of states. We are losing our country in many different ways and this is a must to give us options to save our country. Please empower Iowa to help this extremely important ability to stop the destruction of our country. Thank you.

02-05-2026

Christian Morgan

You need to pass this COS because I am tired of being ruled by a governing body that doesn't serve the people who don't see people who are like them they see them as peasants and the kickbacks that they take on the taxpayers dime if they have a salary they should have to live by said salary not enrich themselves at the expense of the taxpayers and there should be term limits like the presidency and the citizens should have a say in their own Reps and senators not dark money or rich people who seem to make the laws yet the lowly person who votes don't get to have as much a voice as a cooperation so this is why I signed up because this has to stop or we will never have a country that is equal to everyone who participated in the voting process

02-05-2026

Shawn Hagedorn [Heartland Machine & Tool, Inc.]

PLease vote in favor of the COS resolution. We all know that things such as term limits and balanced budgets may never happen unless we can force our government and representatives to do so. Everyone on both sides of the isle should be voting for this!

02-05-2026

John DiViggiano

Dear Representatives, I urge you to pass this measure and join The Convention of States. This is the only way for Americans to reign in government and hold elected officials to the same standards that American taxpayers must abide by. Political office should not be a means to becoming a multimillionaire, as is the current state of affairs. Serving a constituency and enriching oneself in the process is not ethical and must be curtailed. Only a Convention of States can wield power over this entrenched corruption and return representation to the way it was when the Constitution was written. Please vote YES!

02-05-2026

Donnie Williams

The federal government needs restraint as it has grown too big to serve its citizens effectively. Too much waste and fraud comes out of the government these days. Time to fix it by voting to move the Convention of States forward for approval. Iowa citizens want this! Please make it so!

02-05-2026

Don Etler

Safeguards in the Constitution assure against a runaway convention. A successful convention can restore power to the states that time has eroded away. I 100% support an affirmative vote for a constitutional convention. To assure compatibility the states resolution should match those already adopted.

02-05-2026

Andrew Anderson

We are late to the party here. This needs to pass committee as soon as possible and make it to the floor this session. From there, the GOP must allow Iowa to join the contingent of states that have already passed the COS legislation.

02-06-2026

Marilyn DeVries

Iowans need Term Limits to make sure our voices are heard. This was never meant to be a career path for these career politicians to continue to vote for legislation we don't support. I support a vote for term limits in Iowa and we need you to make this happen.

02-06-2026

Richard Hoffmeyer [Convention of States]

COS familiarity?COS advocates using Article V of the US Constitution to call a convention for the purpose of amending the Constitution. Amending the Constitution is nothing new. The Constitution has been amended several times. Article V outlines how the US Constitution can be amended. Come to find out there are two ways to amend the constitution. The most familiar way is through the US Congress which proposed the amendment and the states ratify. Once a certain majority of states agree it simply becomes law. All the current amendments to the Constitution have been done that way. However, there is another way to amend the Constitution. The state legislators have the power to propose amendments to the US Constitution. The Founders put it in Article V guaranteeing us a way to correct a tyrannical Federal Government. Its been there for over 200 years and never used. Its time to use it.This is why we are here today.

02-06-2026

Joy Hesse

Please vote to pass the COS resolution, the country needs to come together to show the Federal government we the people are very concerned about government overreach and the need for constitutional amendments. I am specifically interested in term limits and a balanced budget. Thank you for your time.Joy Hesse

02-06-2026

Janis Katsu [COS]

If the framers of the Constitution of the United States of America included the provision of Article V in the Constitution, it would be reasonable to assume that there might come a time in our nations history when it would be necessary to implement it. It is evident that such a time as this is upon us. Our government is:Beyond its constitutional boundaries.Out of balance.Overspending and must be reined in.Overtaxing its citizens and isGrowing old, fat, and way too comfortable.We must have term limits, accountability, and a balanced budget requirement.The argument to vote out the bad guys and vote in the good guys is no longer the answer. We have tried that. Since our votes are not safe, fair, or transparent, we need to restore our country to its original constitutional intent. I VOTE FOR A CONSTITUTION OF STATES!

02-06-2026

Dianna Biekert

Please vote in favor of the convention of the states! This is a constitutional right we have as we the people. Our founding fathers wanted to ensure that the people through the states had a voice if/and when the elected officials in Washington DC are not doing things as they should and/or not listening to the voice of the people. We are the government! Allow us to stand up and have the opportunity to make needed changes in our constitution so that we may remain a STRONG country long into the future.

02-08-2026

Sebastien Porsenna

This provision in the constitution article 5 is very important, it's the only way that we have today that I am aware of for the American people in a civil, legal,constitutional, and thoughtful way to work with their state legislators over time to begin the process of reclaiming this republic, otherwise the centralized decisions by a handful of governing masterminds are not only going to continue being coercive, but additionally coercive. This process will break the ruling class, and a mentality, allow citizen challengers to unseat incumbents, give state legislators more influence in D.C then lobbyists. Our supreme court justices have alot of activists, it appears there decisions have supremacy over all matters, that's not judicial review. Why should we have to sit in our seats every June to wait on a decision from them that affects the entire nation. We as a country can do better than that. Who should be making decisions for Iowa? Where should these decisions be made? In Iowa.

02-09-2026

Dwight O’Dell [Convention of States ]

Please support the Convention of States bill. As taxpayers we have these Constitutional rights for all Americans. Why dont we use them to protect ourselves from bad legislation from Washington D.C. ?

02-10-2026

Kelly Morrison

Please pass the convention of the states! We The People want and deserve to claim our constitutional power to amend the constitution and reign in the power of elected representatives. Its gotten too big and too corrupt!

02-10-2026

Deb Gostele

The Convention of States. This is the only way for Americans to reign in government and hold elected officials to the same standards that American taxpayers must abide by. Political office should not be a means to becoming a multimillionaire, as is the current state of affairs. Serving a constituency and enriching oneself in the process is not ethical and must be curtailed. Only a Convention of States can wield power over this entrenched corruption and return representation to the way it was when the Constitution was written. Please vote YES!

02-10-2026

Deb Gostele

The Convention of States. This is the only way for Americans to pull in government and hold elected officials to the same standard.Political office should not be a means to becoming a wealthy, Serving a constituency and enriching oneself in the process is not ethical and must be stopped Only a Convention of States can place power over this corruption and return representation to the way it was when the Constitution was written. Please vote YES!

02-10-2026

Janita Fisher Janita Fisher

As a citizen and a veteran, I am in full support of this convention of states. We need to show those we chose to lead this country that we are done with the career politicians and the extravagant benefits they have created for themselves and get back to running our nation for "We the People".

02-10-2026

Brian Gulker

Unfortunately, I see this as the only way we can begin to reign in the corruption of our Federal Government. Neither party in Washington will do what is best for the American people and only serve themselves and their donors. This is a very important first step in this process. Please support and vote in favor of HJR 2004.

02-10-2026

Matt Hansen

Washington D.C. has become largely an UNIparty of self serving politicians. Honoring their patriotic duty to uphold the Constitution has long been forgotten and mocked. Give Iowa the power to be heard and the tool to influence positive change

02-10-2026

Robert Ealey

As an American registered voter and Patriot I urge you to vote Yes on HJR 2004. This is a must pass resolution! Make Iowa the 21st state to pass COS. Remember, we will be watching and reflect this at the polls in November. Thank you.

02-10-2026

Robert Ealey

02-10-2026

Todd Strong

Now is the time. The time for elected officials to do whats right for the country. This may be the most important thing you have the privilege to vote on as it will help to literally save America as we know it. COS is an imperative element to righting the wrongs that are destroying us from within. Never before has the country been under a threat like it is now and YOU can play a key role, a forever in history, role at saving the greatest country in the world. The country that your grandfather may have died fighting for. Let our veterans deaths and sacrifices not be in vain. You hold the key. Please use it. Thank you.

02-10-2026

Chris White

I fully support an Article V convention to propose amendments to the Constitution of the United States. Term limits for Congress as well as limits on the size, the power and the reach of the federal government are core to the founding of our great nation. Public service was never meant to be a career and not intended to make someone rich and powerful. It was and is intended to serve in the best interest of the people.

02-10-2026

Logan Mozingo [Linn County Republicans ]

With the country leaning as conservative as it is currently, and Iowa especially we need to take the chance to deliver an Article V Constitutional Convention. Congress has shown time and time again they either refuse to deliver, or cant its time to force term limits, the SAVE Act and other conservative priorities that we the people are screaming for yet DC cant get it done. For that reason I fully support HJR 2004 please support this legislation so we can continue to move Iowa and The United States of America forward. Thank you Logan J. Mozingo

02-10-2026

Kellie Boeckmann

Our Founding Fathers created Article 5 with foresight knowing the day would come when it is necessary to reign in control of the federal government. The time and day has arrived. Please pass Article 5 for a Convention of States.

02-10-2026

Kent Foster

It is extremely important in our current time that we in sure this resolution is passed. We MUST have the ability to reign in our current government so that we get back to our roots and purpose to govern our country. Eliminate the government deciding and having our people deciding.

02-10-2026

Jenni Frost

Please vote yes on HJR 2004. I believe it is our constitutional duty as American citizens to reign our current government in. Our forefathers seen this coming which is why they wrote this option in. Its time we stand up and use it before things get any worse. Doing the right thing isnt always easy but if we dont take that first step now Im afraid itll be too late soon. Please help save us. Please vote yes!

02-10-2026

Linda Urick

It is long past time for this to be past. We need to take back our government and have term limits. We need leaders and people who have some intelligence of what is in the Constitution. If you were not born here and do not have an allegiance to the United States only you cannot serve. No foreign flag should ever fly in our nation. Period.

02-10-2026

Sean Brix

It's time for Iowa to join the 20 states that have already done so and PASS A RESOLUTION TO CALL FOR AN ARTICLE V CONVENTION for the purpose of adding amendments to the Constitution. One of these amendments must be to require a balanced budget strictly based on tax revenue and to eliminate the Fed and its ability to just print money on a whim.It is this ridiculous ability to just print money that causes politicians to make promises to constituents that in the past would've required INCREASES IN TAXES. But since we can just print money, politicians can promise handouts without increasing taxes. This leads to socialism!We must regain control of the money supply and how it is determined!This could also have the natural consequence of eliminating 3letter bureaucracies because the tax payer will NOT be willing to fork over more taxes to pay for these unelected bureaucrats. As it stands now, we just print the money to pay for these people to exist. It must stop!

02-10-2026

Sean Brix

02-10-2026

Steve Hance

Congress has set records on spending, ignoring fraud, participating in fraud and corruption, conducting activities that a normal citizen would be convicted for doing, etc. they refuse to develop controls that are best for the general American public. IMO, a convention of the states is the only remaining route and process in which the public might have a chance of bringing the Federal Government back to basics and restore trust and accountability. Voye yes to give the public a chance!

02-11-2026

Scott and Karen Fong

We strongly urge passage of HJR 2004, calling for a convention of representatives from the states, according to Article V of the US Constitution. The framers of our constitution gave to future generations the right to propose amendments to the Constitution in the event that Congress will not move to amend the original document according to the will of a vast majority of American citizens. Congress has not and will not move to limit its own power and the unfair ability of its members to enrich themselves over the span of many terms, at taxpayer expense or to repay big donors with favors they have the ability to grant. Passage of constitutional amendments to disallow that could not be overturned by any branch of government and would reflect the will of the PEOPLE. Much disinformation is out there regarding a Convention of the states. Please ignore the fearmongering and pass HJR 2004, to restore power to the people. It is time for the state of Iowa to GET THIS DONE!

02-11-2026

Sandy Wilson [Citizen Engagement]

Citizen Engagement declares AGAINST HJR 2004. Our elected officials ignore the current Constitution. Adding to it will not change that. Opening it up will allow Iowa Senators who ignore the will of 80% of Iowans regarding eminent domain to effect changes. Are we going to trust them to do the right thing when it comes to the Supreme Law of the United States? Kill the resolution.

02-11-2026

Sheryl Soden [Retired]

You have no idea what this will do to our Constitution. It's all pie in the sky and once opened for revisions, it will take off like a freight train, shredding what's left of our Constitution. We need changes, yes, but this is not the way to do it. We have not abided by the rules of the Constitution for years, and you think changing it will solve it? Our politicians have been praying for this for years, and for good reason. We do this it will give them everything they want to totally shred what our Founders wrote to guide this great nation. You can kiss it all good bye if we pass this. Pass this at your peril.

02-11-2026

Daniel Natal

The Convention of States is a trap. The second you open up the Constitution for revision, they will institute all this stuff you didn't want. Read "The Shadows of Power" by James Perloff. They already have a new constitution written and waiting in the wings. Former justice Warren Berger helped write it. Look it up.

02-11-2026

Lisa von Geldern [myself]

Please Vote NO on HJR 2004! Once a convention is called it is no longer within the control of the various states legislaturesit becomes a creature of our thoroughly corrupt Congress. Can you imagine? The day we lost control of state legislatures appointing our Senators the states lost their voice in DC. Please retain as much of your power by voting no.Respectfully submitted, Lisa von Geldern

02-11-2026

Peter Rykowski

Please oppose HJR 2004, which would open our Constitution to potentially radical changes and threaten our constitutionally protected rights.An Article V convention in today's environment would be a disaster: https://rumble.com/embed/ucfsd.v439hq3/Here are some irrefutable facts about an Article V convention for proposing amendments:1. There is no constitutional authority for a limited convention.2. There is no guidance on how delegates would be selected.3. There is no guidance on who could qualify as a delegate.4. There is no guidance on how many delegates each state could send.5. There is no provision for stopping a runaway convention.6. There is no provision for how rules would be established.7. There is no provision for how rules would be enforced.8. There is no role provided for the people to play in the process.9. There is no power provided for the people to stop a convention once it starts.More information here:youtu.be/YHRLNiBaWVEyoutu.be/Q60OK1LmIKQ

02-11-2026

Jennifer Cobble

A Convention of States (COS) may sound like a solution, but it carries serious risks for our country. Once convened, there are no constitutional safeguards to limit its scope, meaning the entire Constitution could be opened up for changes, not just the issues originally intended. This creates the potential for special interests, political agendas, and unintended consequences that could weaken the very freedoms we seek to protect. For these reasons, I encourage you to vote against any COS bill and instead work to uphold and enforce the Constitution we already have.

02-11-2026

Michael Sawyer

Please do NOT vote for an Article V convention. Legislators around the US that HAVE voted for it in the past few years are NOW looking at the mistake they made as they were misinformed by COS. It is simply not true that states will control a convention. We risk losing our Constitution as a convention becomes there own sovereign body and can do whatever they want. This has been born out in court cases and by the Congressional Research Service. Please don't risk it.

02-11-2026

Billy Stephen

Now is not the time to open up the Constitution for a potential runaway convention. A convention would not be limited in scope like its proponents promise. We need to encourage our congressional leaders to uphold the Constitution we already have and if they did, a majority of our countrys problems would disappear.We already have term limits. Theyre called elections.If Congress followed its oath of office and limited spending to what is laid out in Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution, more than 80 percent of federal spending would not exist. The Constitution is the solution.

02-11-2026

Carolyn DeRoos [Select or enter]

Please vote no for the Article V Convention. There is nothing to stop it from being a runaway convention. We have no way of knowing who the delegates would be. It is a very dangerous and could totally rewrite our constitution.

02-11-2026

CJ Wallace

How is this going to reign in the federal government? If they get Fs on their Constitutional voting record now, how would an Article V change anything about a rogue politician? To pass this is making a grave mistake according to the Father of the Constitution James Madison. Do not pass this.

02-11-2026

Mark Ranney [COMMON SCENES ]

FASCISM is the political doctrines methods, or movement to change our system of government from a Republic governed by the Constitution of the Republic and/or people. This rigid one party rule/ dictatorship is contrary to the rule of law addressed by the people /founding fathers of the Constitution of the USA. Vote yes on HJR2004!

02-11-2026

David Anderson

While there are legitimate arguments for a constitutional convention, none of them are presented in this Resolution. Instead we get the tired lie about the Federal debt, the growth of which got us out of the Great Depression and helped win WWII. Though I have no doubt the current administration is doing a great deal of harm. We get a complaint about Federal oversight from a body that is currently doing everything it can to limit the power of cities and counties in this state, which is a spectacular display of hypocrisy even for Republicans. If the government has ceased to function under the Constitution due to the whims of the party of the sponsors, a convention is not going to help. Finally, one of the remedies proposed is term limits, which are well known to transfer power from elected officials to unelected (and wellpaid) lobbyists. Now, if we wanted to force elected officials to retire at retirement age, including a the state level, then we'd be talking.

02-11-2026

Lois Lawler

Please Vote No on HSF 2004.......(Please see attached document)... A convention called under the auspices of Article V, has the autonomy to write a contract for the governance of the people, including a new method of ratification, just as happened in Philadelphia.

Attachment

02-11-2026

Nicole Nicole [Independent]

The primary precedent for an Article V Convention is the 1787 Constitutional Convention. However, the 1787 Convention went beyond its original purpose to merely revise the Articles of Confederation, did its work in secret, and changed the ratification rules. This is a frightening precedent for a modernday convention. Absolutely nowhere in the text of Article V does it say or guarantee that a convention can be limited to a singlesubject amendment. In 2015, the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia stated, This is not a good century to write a constitution. This is true: There are few statesmen today who emulate the Founding Fathers. Furthermore, the Deep State and the Left despise the current Constitution and the values the United States was founded upon. Why would we give them an opportunity to influence the rewriting or amending of the Constitution? If the federal government is ignoring the current Constitution, why should we expect it to obey a revised version?

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02-11-2026

Dan Sexson

Please vote NO on HJR 2004.The U. S. Constitution is not at fault. Members of Congress who do not abide by their oath of office are at fault, and it is we the people who need to hold them accountable.A Constitutional convention will result in delegates possibly causing irreparable harm to the Constitution. The delegates become the sovereign in convention as they operated as in 1787 where they changed the rules a gave us a new Constitution. They decided the Articles of Confederation just didn't work and wrote a new constitution.A federal judge in KS just declared the KS Constitution unconstitutional because it requires a 2/3rds vote of both chambers to apply for a convention. The ruling states that all states are able to do under Art V is APPLY. Then Congress takes over. Please oppose this measure.

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