Rep. Steve Stivers’ (R-OH) amendment to the House Rules passed by a vote on the House Floor this week, according to a press release published by Rep. Stivers' office. The rule will provide a system with which to track and organize Article V applications to Congress.

“I am pleased my colleagues supported my addition to the House Rules this week,” Stivers said. “I believe a Balanced Budget Amendment is the only way to stop out-of-control government spending. I hope the passage of this rule will put us one step closer to fiscal responsibility and the inclusion of the BBA in the United States Constitution.”

Rep. Stivers' press release went on to explain the rule in detail:

"Specifically, the rule creates a process for the intake of the petitions through the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee and gives the Clerk’s Office the responsibility of making the petitions electronically available and organized by the subject, state of origin and year of receipt. This will allow Congress, as well as the American people, to better track the progress of specific Article V efforts. Prior to Stivers’ rule update, no formal process for cataloging the petitions existed."

Rep. Stivers' rule change is an invaluable asset in the Article V process. Where before there was confusion and uncertainty regarding applications submitted to Congress, now there will be a clear catalog of that information.

We applaud Rep. Stivers' effort to smooth the road to a Convention of States, and we hope his amendment to the House Rules will bring this country one step closer to the change we so desperately need.