Article V of the Constitution allows state legislatures to call a Convention of States to propose constitutional amendments that would reign in Washington, D.C. These amendments could include a balanced budget amendment, a term limits amendment, amongst several others.

PURCELLVILLE, Va., July 24, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- New Jersey AssemblymanMichael Carroll filed ACR 216, calling for an Article V Convention of States to restrain the power, scope, and jurisdiction of the federal government.

"Freedom is a bi-partisan matter," said Victoria Jakelsky, the legislative liaison for the New Jersey Convention of States Project. "Liberty and justice are the American way. Though many Americans are weary and feel as if efforts to defend freedom are pointless, we have a duty to stand firm. We are taking this duty seriously here in New Jersey as Assemblyman Carroll, a fierce opponent of 'judicial usurpation of the legislative function,' leads the fight."

States call a Convention of States by passing resolutions called "applications" and submitting them to Congress. Once Congress receives 34 applications dealing with the same subject, it must name the time and place for a convention.

"New Jersey has long been held as the crossroads of the American fight for independence, so I find it particularly inspiring that our state has taken the important step," said Lis Mezik, the coalitions director for the New Jersey Convention of States Project. "As Pennsylvanian delegate Robert Morris described those involved with writing the Constitution, we are calling plain, honest men and women across New Jersey to take a stand and join the Convention of States movement."

Florida, Alaska, and Georgia have already passed the Convention of States application, andNew Jersey is likely to follow their lead.

The Convention of States Project believes the federal government has overstepped its Constitutional authority. The Article V process enables the citizens -- through their state legislatures -- the opportunity to call a convention of the states to propose amendments needed to reign in the federal government.

For more information visit www.ConventionofStates.com.