Citizens for Self-Governance explained

Citizens for Self-Governance
Size:280px
Type:501(c)(3)
Location:Austin, Texas[1]
Region Served:United States
Leader Title:President
Leader Name:Mark Meckler
Key People:Jim DeMint

Citizens for Self-Governance (CSG) is a conservative American nonprofit political organization. In 2015, it launched a nationwide initiative calling for a convention to propose amendments to the United States Constitution to reduce federal spending.[2] The group's efforts are focused on imposing fiscal restraint on Washington D.C., reducing the federal government's authority over states, and imposing term limits on federal officials., the organization's resolution had passed in 19 states.[3] [4] A total of 34 states would need to pass such a resolution in order for a Convention to Amend the Constitution to be called per Article V. The organization funded and won a class action lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service over the agency's politically oriented targeting of conservative organizations. The group is based in Austin, Texas.[1]

Leadership

Mark Meckler serves as president of CSG.[5] Meckler was previously co-founder of the Tea Party Patriots before resigning from that group.[6]

Tim Dunn was a founding board member.

Eric O'Keefe is the current chairman of the board as of April 2020.

Activities

Lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service

See main article: IRS targeting controversy.

In May 2013, CSG filed a class action lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service, alleging violations under the Privacy Act as well as violations of constitutional rights guaranteeing free expression and equal protection under the law.[7] The lawsuit stemmed from IRS targeting of conservative groups for more scrutiny as they applied for tax-exempt status.[8] In April 2015, a federal judge ordered the IRS to turn over the list of 298 groups it had targeted for intrusive scrutiny.[9] The IRS failed to turn over the list, filing a petition for a writ of mandamus from the appellate court so that it would not have to disclose information on groups the agency had targeted.[10]

In March 2016, a three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued a unanimous ruling rebuking the IRS and giving the agency two weeks to produce the names of organizations it had targeted based on their political leanings.[11] [12] [13] In October 2017, the IRS settled with the tea party groups for $3.5 million. In August 2018, Judge Michael R. Barrett approved the $3.5 million settlement between the IRS and hundreds of tea party groups on "what all sides now agree was unwarranted and illegal targeting for political purposes."[14] The IRS expressed its "sincere apology" for mistreating conservative organizations in their applications for nonprofit status.[15]

Convention of States

CSG has called for a convention to propose amendments to the United States Constitution.[16] [17]

According to Meckler:

CSG has opened numerous chapters across the nation to urge state legislators to summon a national convention; for example, in Virginia, the group sponsored the founder of Patrick Henry College, Michael Farris, to launch a Convention of States Project which is a forum for delegates appointed by state governments to propose amendments to the constitution.[18]

In December 2013, nearly 100 legislators from 32 states met at Mount Vernon to talk about how to call a convention of states. According to Slate, "The meeting lasted four hours, ending when legislators agreed to meet again in the spring of 2014. That’s the most progress anyone’s made in decades toward a states-first constitutional amendment campaign." CSG provided the legislators with briefing books that laid out a plan to call a convention of states.[19]

In March 2014, Georgia became the first state to pass CSG's convention of states application.[20], a total of 19 state legislatures had passed CSG's convention of states application.[4] [21]

In July 2014, CSG announced plans to have resolutions before at least 24 state legislatures in 2015.[22] In 2015, the group backed bills in 26 states that would call for a convention. Some members of both the Republican and Democratic parties have supported bills backed by the organization, while others from both the left and right have criticized the proposal, fearing that it could "set the stage for a runaway convention to make over the entire Constitution."[23]

In September 2016, CSG held a simulated convention to propose amendments to the United States Constitution in Williamsburg, Virginia.[24] The simulated convention passed amendments relating to six topics, including requiring the states to approve any increase in the national debt, imposing term limits; limiting the Commerce Clause; providing an "easy congressional override" of federal regulations; requiring a supermajority to impose federal taxes and repealing the Sixteenth Amendment; and "giving the states (by a three-fifths vote) the power to abrogate any federal law, regulation, or executive order."[25]

Jim DeMint became a senior advisor to the group in June 2017. According to DeMint, "The Tea Party needs a new mission. They realize that all the work they did in 2010 has not resulted in all the things they hoped for. Many of them are turning to Article V."[26]

In early 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the group began operating an online campaign called Open the States which helped organize opposition to government mandated stay-at-home orders.

In 2022, Montana's Commissioner of Political Practices, who oversees ethics and campaign finance regulations, found that COS violated Montana's campaign finance laws.[27]

Supporters

CSG is aligned with the Tea Party movement.[28]

Radio host Mark Levin has supported CSG's efforts to a call a Convention of the states. Former U.S. Senator Tom Coburn (R) has endorsed the Convention of States Project and served as a senior advisor to CSG's efforts until his passing in 2020.[29] [30]

U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R), former Governor of Arkansas Mike Huckabee (R), conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh, Fox News talk show host Sean Hannity, conservative political commentator Glenn Beck, former Governor of Alaska Sarah Palin (R), former Governor of Ohio John Kasich (R), former Governor of Louisiana Bobby Jindal (R), former U.S. Representative Allen West (R), and current Governor of Texas Greg Abbott (R), have all endorsed a convention of states.[31] [16] [32] [33] In late 2015, U.S Senator Marco Rubio (R) endorsed CSG's call for a convention of the states.[34] [35] Ken Cuccinelli, Ben Carson, and Ron DeSantis have all endorsed the Convention of States project.[36]

In September 2014, CSG announced that a Legal Board of Reference had signed a "Jefferson Statement" endorsing the Convention of States initiative. The Legal Board of Reference included Randy Barnett, Charles J. Cooper, John C. Eastman, Michael Farris, Robert P. George, C. Boyden Gray, Andrew C. McCarthy, and Mark Meckler.[37]

Opponents

Opponents of the group's efforts to call a convention to propose amendments to the United States Constitution include conservative groups such as the John Birch Society and the Eagle Forum.[21] [38] Liberal advocacy group Common Cause has been a vocal opponent of the CSG's Convention of the States initiative; in a May 2016 report entitled The Dangerous Path: Big Money's Plan to Shred the Constitution, the group wrote that "There is nothing to prevent the convention, once convened, from proposing additional changes that could limit or eliminate fundamental rights or upend our entire system of government."[39] [40] Liberal financier George Soros has funded efforts opposing COS.[21] [38]

Funding

Tax records show that CSG's annual funding increased since its push to amend the Constitution began; the group received $1.8 million in contributions in 2011, and $5.7 million in contributions in 2015.[41] In 2016, the group raised over $4.2 million.[42] The group does not disclose the sources of its funding; in a 2013 tax filing, CSG stated that disclosure would "chill the donors' First Amendment right to associate in private with the organization."[41]

CSG also operates the Alliance for Self-Governance and Convention of States Action, neither of which is legally required to disclose donors' identities.[41]

In 2014 CSG received a $500,000 donation from the Mercer Family Foundation. CSG has also received support from Donors Trust.[36] [43] [44]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Michael Wines, Inside the Conservative Push for States to Amend the Constitution, The New York Times (August 22, 2016).
  2. News: Sherfinski. David. Supporters of convention to amend Constitution aim to defeat state legislators standing in way. 13 April 2015 . . April 7, 2015.
  3. News: Wagster . Emily . Mississippi Lawmakers Seek US Constitutional Convention . 8 April 2019 . U.S. News & World Report . March 27, 2019.
  4. News: Pollack. Cassandra. Convention of states-related bill hits Gov. Greg Abbott's desk. 30 May 2017. Texas Tribune. May 27, 2017.
  5. News: Richman. Josh. Political Blotter: NorCal Tea Party sues IRS. January 21, 2014. San Jose Mercury News.
  6. News: Lee. MJ. Mark Meckler, Tea party co-founder quits. January 5, 2014. Politico. February 24, 2012.
  7. News: Raymond. Nate. Tea Party group sues IRS over inappropriate targeting. January 21, 2014. Chicago Tribune. May 20, 2014.
  8. Katrina TrinkoMay 21, 2013, National Review, Tea-Party Groups Sue IRS Seeking Damages, Accessed Jan. 21, 2014, "...NorCal Tea Party Patriots announced yesterday that it would be filing a suit against the IRS, in coordination with Citizens for Self-Governance..."
  9. News: Dinan. Stephen. Judge orders IRS to release list of tea party groups targeted for scrutiny. 13 April 2015. The Washington Times. April 2, 2015.
  10. News: Smith. Samuel. IRS Must Turn Over List of Targeted Tea Party Groups to Allow for Class Action Lawsuit, Appeals Court Rules. 5 April 2016. Christian Post. March 25, 2016.
  11. News: Chakraborty. Barnini. Federal appeals court slams IRS in Tea Party case, demands documents. 5 April 2016. Fox News. March 24, 2016.
  12. NorCal Tea Party Patriots v. Internal Revenue Service . 817. F.3d . 953 . . 2016 . http://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/ohio/ohsdce/1:2013cv00341/163188/147/.
  13. News: Tea Party Federal Lawsuit Against IRS Set for 2017. KTXL. August 14, 2016. Associated Press.
  14. News: Dinan . Stephen . Tea party groups get revenge against IRS as judge approves $3.5 million payout . 10 January 2019 . The Washington Times . August 9, 2018.
  15. News: Overby . Peter . IRS Apologizes For Aggressive Scrutiny Of Conservative Groups . 10 January 2019 . NPR . October 27, 2017.
  16. News: Roller. Emma. Conservatives' Improbable New 'Convention of States' Project. January 21, 2014. Slate. December 4, 2013.
  17. Niraj ChokshiDecember 5, 2013, Washington Post, Next up for ALEC: Taming the federal government, Accessed Jan. 21, 2014, "...a panel focused on a plan to call a convention of states under the Constitution to limit the powers of the federal government, developed by a group called Citizens for Self-Governance. CSG is led by Meckler...."
  18. Markus Schmidt, January 20, 2014, Richmond Times-Dispatch, The News Virginian, Effort seeks to reset course for America, Accessed Jan. 21, 2014, "...Last year, Farris launched the Convention of States Project, sponsored by a group called Citizens for Self-Governance. In the past three months, the project has opened numerous chapters nationwide that lobby legislators...."
  19. News: Weigel. David. Inside the Secret Conservative Campaign to Rewrite the Constitution. 21 January 2014. Slate. December 10, 2013. Roller, Emma.
  20. News: Lowrey. Jason. Georgia Legislature calls for convention under Article V Read more: The Daily Tribune News - Georgia Legislature calls for convention under Article V. 24 March 2014. Daily Tribune News. March 12, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140325044737/http://www.daily-tribune.com/view/full_story/24722678/article-Georgia-Legislature-calls-for-convention-under-Article-V?instance=main_article. 25 March 2014. dead.
  21. News: O'Connor. Brendan. Right-Wing Billionaires Are Buying Themselves a New Constitution. 10 April 2017. Fusion. April 4, 2017.
  22. News: Push continues for convention of states. 15 July 2014. Miami Herald. Associated Press. 2014-07-09.
  23. News: Cooper. Brad. States urged to call for convention to amend U.S. Constitution. 13 April 2015. Kansas City Star. March 19, 2015.
  24. News: Harris. Andrew. Tea Party co-founder holds convention in Williamsburg for amending Constitution. 4 October 2016 . Williamsburg Yorktown Daily. September 23, 2016.
  25. News: Farris. Michael. Ellis. Jenna. A Convention of the States to Amend the Constitution. 4 October 2016. National Review. September 29, 2016.
  26. News: Schouten. Fredreka. Exclusive: In latest job, Jim DeMint wants to give Tea Party ' a new mission'. 13 June 2017 . USA Today. June 12, 2017.
  27. Web site: Sam . Wilson . Political group broke campaign finance law, commissioner finds . Helena Independent Record . June 21, 2022 . June 24, 2022.
  28. News: Bohn. Kevin. 8 months ago First lawsuit filed against IRS. January 21, 2014. CNN. May 20, 2013.
  29. News: Coburn. Tom. A means to smite the federal Leviathan. 4 January 2016. The Washington Times. February 24, 2015.
  30. News: Ward. Jon. Tom Coburn Decides Only A Constitutional Convention Can Fix Washington. 4 January 2016. Huffington Post. February 5, 2014.
  31. News: Bedard. Paul. Palin joins push for 'Convention of States' to throttle Obama. 4 January 2016. Washington Examiner. February 2, 2015.
  32. Web site: Burk. Eric. Huckabee and Others Endorse COS Project. Convention of States. 5 March 2014.
  33. News: Grissom. Brandi. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's play for national audience draws questions about higher-office plans. 27 January 2016. The Dallas Morning News. January 26, 2016.
  34. News: Weigel. David. Give Me Amendments or Give Me Death. 21 January 2014. Slate. December 10, 2013. Roller, Emma.
  35. News: Sherfinski. David. Rubio backs call for constitutional convention to balance budget, impose term limits. 4 January 2016. The Washington Times. December 30, 2015.
  36. News: Stanley-Becker . Isaac . Romm . Tony . The anti-quarantine protests seem spontaneous. But behind the scenes, a powerful network is helping. . The Washington Post . 23 April 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200423041251/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/inside-the-conservative-networks-backing-anti-quarantine-protests/2020/04/22/da75c81e-83fe-11ea-a3eb-e9fc93160703_story.html . 23 April 2020 . 22 April 2020.
  37. News: The Convention of States Project Announces Formation of Prestigious "Legal Board of Reference" in Support of Article V. 7 October 2014. PR Newswire. CNBC. 2014-09-29.
  38. News: Bedard. Paul. Soros, Birchers fight constitutional fix to limit Obama, Congress. 30 May 2017 . Washington Examiner. March 16, 2015.
  39. John C. Moritz, Abbott renews his call for 'convention of the states', USA Today Network (December 6, 2016).
  40. http://www.commoncause.org/issues/more-democracy-reforms/constitutional-convention/dangerous-path-report.pdf The Dangerous Path: Big Money’s Plan to Shred the Constitution
  41. Brandi Grissom, Mega-rich conservative donors are behind Texas' obsession with amending the Constitution, Dallas News (March 1, 2017).
  42. News: Mansoor . Sanya . How a mock convention is helping fuel a movement to change the Constitution . 10 January 2019 . Center for Public Integrity . August 13, 2018.
  43. Web site: Panetta . Grace . Griffiths . Brent D. . Republicans' next big play is to 'scare the hell out of Washington' by rewriting the Constitution. And they're willing to play the long game to win. . Business Insider . 1 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221001003952/https://www.businessinsider.com/constitutional-convention-conservatives-republicans-constitution-supreme-court-2022-7 . October 1, 2022 . July 31, 2022 . Citizens for Self Governance and Convention of States, led by former Tea Party activist and ex-Parler CEO Mark Meckler, are relatively newer and well-funded players on the scene with connections to wealthy and powerful conservative interests. Tax filings obtained by the Center for Media and Democracy reveal the groups, which are not required to disclose their donors, have received millions from the Koch-connected DonorsTrust, the Mercer family, and groups linked to powerful conservative lawyer Leonard Leo. A 2020 internal audit of Convention of States obtained by the group revealed that a $1.3 million donation made in Bitcoin made up 16% of the group's budget in 2019. Two donations totaling $2.5 million accounted for 36% of the group's 2020 budget. . live.
  44. Web site: Armiak . David . Radical Resolution Calling for a Constitutional Rewrite Passes Wisconsin Assembly . Center for Media and Democracy . 1 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221001004753/https://www.exposedbycmd.org/2020/02/25/radical-resolution-calling-constitutional-rewrite-passes-wisconsin-assembly/ . October 1, 2022 . February 25, 2020 . live.

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