With Constitutional Convention, Tennessee Lawmakers Vote To Send ‘Atomic Bomb Of Politics’ To D.C.

State lawmakers voted Thursday morning to make Tennessee the fifth state to call for a new Constitutional Convention — the first in more than 200 years.

The idea is the product of conservative activists who want to rein in the federal government.

Tennessee joins Alaska, Alabama, Florida and Georgia in passing calls for a convention.

Supporters include state Rep. Judd Matheny, R-Tullahoma. He described a constitutional convention as “the atomic bomb of politics.” The threat of it will force Congress to take conservatives’ concerns seriously.

“The federal government must know the states have mobilized and we have put an atomic bomb on a plane, and it is flying over the District of Columbia. And if they don’t listen, then we’re going to get done what needs to get done.”

Supporters still need 29 states more to force a constitutional convention. But they hope to pick up those states this year.

The idea has steamrolled through the Tennessee legislature. It passed the House 59-31.

Opposition came from Democrats and some tea party lawmakers. State Rep. Rick Womick, R-Rockvale, argued that once a convention gets started there’s no telling where delegates from other states will try to take it.

“We’re going to be outnumbered. As far as I know, Colorado’s going to send folks that are going to be high.”

Womick pointed out that the last time a constitutional convention was held, back in 1787, it came up with a whole new system of government.