Sen. Standridge says recent Supreme Court rulings just latest assaults on states’ rights—renews call for Convention of States

Sen. Rob Standridge said the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent rulings on Obamacare and gay marriage are just the latest examples of an out-of-control judiciary that has taken aim on traditional American values. He said these rulings have put more nails in the coffin of the 10th Amendment and states’ rights.

“When you look at the trillions of dollars in debt that threatens the future of this country, the refusal of too many federal office holders to listen to the people they are supposed to represent, and the latest rulings that fly in the face of the values of millions of Americans, it is a clear abuse of power—and clear that those responsible will never give up that power,” said Standridge, R-Norman.

Standridge said Article V of the U.S. Constitution gives states the ability to correct this imbalance of power by calling a convention of the states to propose constitutional amendments. Standridge outlined the changes needed to help restore power to the states and to the people.

“We need a balanced budget amendment to end the government’s out-of-control spending. We also need term limits for federal officials, and we need to limit the size, scope and jurisdiction of the federal government,” Standridge said. “My friend, former Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn, has often said that calling a convention of the states is the only way to repeal Obamacare and halt the massive abuses of federal government overreach. He’s right.”

Four states have already acted to pass Convention of States Article V applications, including Alabama, Alaska, Florida and Georgia.

“I’ve authored the same legislation—it’s contained in Senate Joint Resolution 4, which was approved by the full Senate during the 2015 session,” Standridge said. “The House did not vote on SJR 4 by the end of session, but it can still come to a vote in 2016. I strongly urge Oklahomans who want to protect the rights of the states and our citizens to call or write their representatives and urge their support for SJR 4 when the Legislature reconvenes next year.”