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Idaho lawmakers kill plan to amend U.S. Constitution

Idaho lawmakers kill plan to amend U.S. Constitution
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An Idaho House panel has killed a proposal calling for a constitutional amendment to limit federal government power.

The House State Affairs Committee killed the legislation Friday after listening to nearly six hours of public testimony over the past week.

The bill would have called for a convention of states to create checks -- such as a balanced budget rule and term limit --  on federal power.

A similar proposal also failed last year in the Idaho Legislature.

Critics have argued there's no way to control a convention to amend the U.S. Constitution.

Either 34 states or two-thirds of both houses of Congress can call for a constitutional amendment. Thirty-eight states have to approve amendments.

(by Associated Press)