Vote on the Convention was 7 Yes, 7 No, 7 Not Voting

January 21, 2026

Sen. Bryant Richardson

On Tuesday, Jan. 13, the first day of session for 2026, my Convention of States (COS) Resolution (SCR 114) was brought before the Senate.

Minority Leader Tim Dukes was the prime sponsor of SCR 114 in the House. Others on board as co-sponsors were Senator David Wilson and Representative Jeff Hilovsky.

Sadly, the resolution did not make it over to the House. It was defeated in the Senate by a vote of 7 yes, 7 no and 7 not voting.

The only Democrat to vote for the resolution was Stephany Hansen of Middletown. 

It took courage for a Democrat to vote for the resolution, especially after Senate President Pro Tempore David P. Sokola gave a long, emotional speech in opposition.

Legislative Liaison to the Delaware COS Ben Cassell was called to testify to the importance of the resolution.

Every legislator has several constituents who have signed a petition calling for a Convention of States. 

Statewide the number of signers is much more than 10,000.

Cassel was disappointed by the split vote and was particularly upset by those going Not Voting, calling them cowards.

The COS process started in 2014 when three states passed resolutions, the first being Georgia. Today, 19 states have passed resolutions. A total of 34 states are needed to call for a convention. 

And as Dr. Tanya Hettler, director of the Center for Education Excellence at the Caesar Rodney Institute, recently pointed out: “It takes 38 state legislatures to approve any proposed [COS] amendments before they become part of the Constitution. 

“Needing the support of 38 legislatures means that at least twice that number of legislative bodies (the House and Senate in each state) must approve an amendment for it to become law.”

What amendments could come from a Convention of States?

One would be that the federal government cannot withhold funding from the states to force them into compliance with “mandates.”

Another amendment would force a gradual reduction in spending to lead us toward a balanced budget. 

The national debt as of Tuesday, Jan. 13, was $38.6 trillion.

Taxpayers’ Right to Know

Taxpayers have a right to know what their elected officials are doing and how those decisions impact their daily lives. 

From electric vehicle mandates to government-ordered shutdowns, the public deserves the chance to push back when policies go too far. 

Citizens need to understand how extreme some legislative actions have become.

Find out more about what is going on in Dover in the Citizen’s Guide to Delaware Public Policy.

If you would like a printed copy of the Citizen’s Guide, send an email request to brichardson@mspublications.com. 

To download an on-line copy of the Citizen's Guide, click HERE to go to the DE BILL INSIGHTS page of sussex.gop.