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Jim DeMint, the former president of the Heritage Foundation, is joining the Convention of the States Project as a senior adviser.(Photo: Evan Vucci, AP)

WASHINGTON Former South Carolina senator Jim DeMint, ousted last month as head of the Heritage Foundation think tank, is joining a fast-growing, conservative movement that is pushing states to seek a constitutional convention to rein in federal spending and power.

DeMint, a prominent figure among the Tea Party activists who helped Republicans seize control of the U.S. House of Representatives in 2010, will serve as a senior adviser to the Convention of the States Project, providing a jolt to its efforts to marshal grassroots support for a state-led movement to amend the U.S. Constitution.

News of DeMints role was provided first to USA TODAY, and a formal announcement is expected Monday.

Under Article Vof the Constitution, there are two avenues to propose amendments: Two-thirds of each house of Congress can vote to do so or two-thirds of the states 34 in total can request the convention.

In either case, three-fourths of the states or 38 states must ratify any amendment proposed by convention delegates.

The USA has not held a constitutional convention since the first one in 1787, but proponents of a state-led conclave see growing momentum for their cause. Twelve states already have adopted the groups call, and its leaders hope to add 10 to 15 next year. A separate effort demanding a convention to consider a balanced budget amendment already has the support of 27 states.

The Tea Party needs a new mission, DeMint told USA TODAY. 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.

DeMint and other proponents of a state-led convention say the timing is right. Populist anger with Washington helped sweep President Trump into office. At the state level, Republicans now dominate, controlling both legislative chambers in 32 states and governors mansions in 33.This is a perfect time for us, DeMint said. People are disgusted with Washington. They are ready to move power back closer to home.

The movement DeMint is joining asks for a convention covering three sweeping topics: imposing fiscal restraint on Washington, reducing the federal governments authority over states and imposing term limits on federal officials.

The group said the convention that results from the state applications could also propose a range of amendments from one requiring the federal government to balance the budget or to one ending lifetime appointments for federal judges, including Supreme Court justices.

Dramatic action is needed, advocates say, because they say Congress will not act on its own to curb what they view as runaway spending and the federal governments overreachYou cant drain the swamp, said former Oklahoma senator Tom Coburn, who joined the group after leaving Congress in 2014 and has written a book, Smashing the DC Monolopy, about the effort. You have to muzzle the alligators.

At the center of the effort: Mark Meckler, a co-founder of the Tea Party Patriots, and his nonprofit, Citizens for Self-Governance. Meckler has teamed up with other conservative groups, including American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), to advance the plan at the state level.

Former Oklahoma senator Tom Coburn is pushing states to call for a convention to amend the Constitution.(Photo: Sean Dougherty, USA TODAY)

DeMint, a conservative firebrand, made his political mark as an early backer of upstarts such as Utahs Mike Lee and Texas Ted Cruz, helping to elect them to the Senate and pull the chamber further to the right. He left the Congress in 2012 to run Heritage.

Last month, Heritages board of directors voted to remove DeMint, citing worsening management issues. In an interview, DeMint called his abrupt firing perplexing.

Heritage has never been more effective or influential, but clearly the board decided to take a different direction, he said. Frankly, I am fine with that and what I am doing now with the convention of the states.

Later this month, DeMint hits the road for the group and will travel to North Carolina, where the states Senate passed a resolution in April for a convention of the states. Advocates are pressing the North Carolina House to do the same.Later this summer, he will travel to Denver to address conservative state legislators at ALECs annual gathering. ALEC, whose members include Republican lawmakers and business interests, writes model legislation, allowing conservative lawmakers to quickly replicate bills across the country. It hasadopted the Article V languageadvanced by Mecklers group.

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Jim DeMint ousted at Heritage Foundation

The effort faces big hurdles. For starters, the country has never called together all 50 states for an amendment-writing convention.

Legal questions abound: Would the convention be open to the public? Is it fair to allow tiny states like Maine to have the same power as populous states like California at a convention? And how would states prevent a runaway convention that could make wholesale changes to the Constitution on everything from religion and gun rights?

Proponent say their application limits of the scope of a convention to amendments that deal with federal term limits, fiscal restraints on the federal government and limits on Washingtons power.

Bu some legal experts question whether organizers can limit the topics at all.When theres a constitutional convention, in a sense, all bets are off, said Michael Gerhardt, an expert on the Constitution and a law professor at the University of North Carolina. I would think almost anything would be fair game.

As the under-the-radar movement gains steam, some liberal groups and Democratic legislators are scrambling to block proponents from reaching the two-thirds threshold. This year, New Mexico, Maryland and Nevada all rescinded their applications for a convention, some of them on the books for decades.Delaware did so last year.

Opponents say the topics described by the convention advocates are broad enough to bring sweeping change.This idea of opening up our Constitution, which gives everyone in the country our basic protections, is a bad idea, particularly in this hyper-partisan environment, said Viki Harrison, the executive director of Common Cause New Mexico. She helped lead the successful effort to yank New Mexicos convention applications one of which dated to 1951.

Its the biggest sleeper in the country right now, said of the convention of the states movement. People dont know about it and dont realize the threat of a runaway convention.

Meckler said his group has about 2.3 million supporters, including some 80,000 active volunteers, as it works to develop political operations in most states. DeMint will have a paid position with the group.

Citizens for Self-Governance saw its annual receipts grow to $5.7 million in 2015, according to its most recent publicly available tax returns show.

As a nonprofit, it does not have to publicly disclose its donors. But separate tax filings show a foundation affiliated with conservative hedge-fund billionaire BobMercer and his daughter Rebekah, donated $500,000 to the group in 2014.

In this Nov. 3, 2010, file photo Tea Party Patriots co-founder Mark Meckler, right, with Jenny Beth Martin, speaks at a news conference.(Photo: Manuel Balce Ceneta, AP)

The Mercers emerged as big financial supporters of Ted Cruzs presidential bid in 2016 before backing Trump in the general election. Rebekah Mercer served on Trumps transition team and is closely aligned with top White House adviser Stephen Bannon. She also serves on Heritages board.

Meckler said the Mercer donation was a one-time grant, although hed welcome more financial support from the family.

In all, more than 70,000 grassroots donors back the group, he said. Meckler would not reveal the identities of larger donors, saying they would be endlessly harassed should their identities become public. We disclose what we are legally required to disclose, he said.

Meckler said he believes his movement could hit a tipping point mirroring the voter anger over President Obamas health-care law that helped mobilize Tea Party activists into a political force.The American people are fed up. Trump is not the solution. Hes a symptom of that frustration, he said. The American people are seeing that didnt solve the problem, so now what? Eventually, they will come to this solution.

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Jim DeMint joins growing 'convention of the states' movement - USA TODAY

In a progressive city like New York, where political candidates usually try to outflank each other on the left, there is one Brooklyn City Council where the right still has a strong voice and where people running for office court it.

The Brooklyn Tea Party is stepping into the Republican Primary in the 43rd Council District (Bay Ridge-Dyker Heights-Bensonhurst, Bath Beach). The party has endorsed Republican Liam McCabe for the Council seat.

Brooklyn Tea Party President Glenn Nocera said the endorsement was made out of a conviction that McCabe, a former aide to U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan (R-C-Southwest Brooklyn-Staten Island), will fight for the community.

Liam McCabe is a proven leader who has shown how hard he will work for the community through his past experience working for elected officials and through his own independent work to help and to fight for our neighborhoods, Nocera said in a statement.

McCabe, who quit his job at Donovans office to run for City Council, said he is gratified by the endorsement.

I am pleased to accept the endorsement from the Brooklyn Tea Party and to know that they trust me to focus on bringing resources and opportunities to the residents of Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst and Bath Beach, and to stand up to the mayor and stand strong on the City Council on behalf of my neighbors, he said.

McCabe is also the founder and former CEO of Steeplechase Strategies, a political consulting firm.

McCabe has been endorsed by Donovan and has the support of City Comptroller candidate Michel Faulkner, former state Sen. David Storobin and the Brooklyn Teen Republican Club.

McCabe is one of three Republicans running in the Sept. 12 primary. Bob Capano and John Quaglione are also running for the GOP nomination. The Democrats running for the Council seat are Justin Brannan, Kevin Peter Carroll, Rev. Khader El-Yateem and Nancy Tong.

The general election will take place on Nov. 7.

McCabe recently made news with his proposal to have business owners adopt and subway stations.

McCabe said his Adopt-A-Station idea is based on the Adopt-A-Highway program that has seen great success over the years.

Under Adopt-A-Highway, organizations or individuals agree to maintain sections of roadways and in exchange a sign is placed at the location listing the name of the organization or person.

McCabe said the same concept could work for stations along the R line in Bay Ridge.

I recommend we introduce an Adopt-a-Subway Program that allows private businesses to help support the maintenance of specific subway stations and segments of MTA train lines, McCabe said in a statement.

Adopt-A-Highway is a tax-deductible program in which New Yorkers agree to clean and maintain sections of roadways in the city. McCabes plan would give businesses free signage and free advertising space in stations in exchange for financial support for station maintenance.

Many of the issues we are seeing with the MTA come from a lack of accountability. Bringing in more stakeholders, especially those who are able to add to funding for maintenance and upkeep, creates accountability and promotes the cleaner, safer commuting experience that New Yorkers need to rely on.

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Brooklyn Tea Party endorses McCabe for council - Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Jim DeMint, the recently ousted head of the Heritage Foundation, has taken on a new mission for the conservative Tea Party Movement to amend the U.S. Constitution,USA Today reportedMonday.

DeMint has joined The Convention of Sates Project, which reportedly aims to start a grassroots, state-led effort to amend the U.S. Constitution by scaling back its federal spending and power as well as address federal term limits.

The former South Carolina senator (R), who was ousted from the think tank last month, will serve as a senior adviser to the group.

The Tea Party needs a new mission, DeMint told the newspaper. 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.

While constitutional conventions are rare occurrences the last and first one being since 1787 the movement is gaining ground. Twelve states reportedly are in support of the efforts of DeMints new group, and they hope to double their number by next year.

DeMint believes the timing is ripe for their efforts after President Trumps election as well as with a Republican controlled Congress.

This is a perfect time for us, DeMint said. People are disgusted with Washington. They are ready to move power back closer to home.

Although three primary issues reining in the U.S. governments power over states, and imposing both fiscal restraint on Washington as well as term limits on federal officials DeMint reportedly suggested that other amendments could be proposed to address issues surrounded the federal budget and ending lifetime appointments for Supreme Court justices.

DeMint is seen as a major GOP figure who helped Republicans and Tea Party activists gain control of the House in 2010.

He called his sudden dismissal from Heritage "perplexing" after the conservative think tank's board of directors voted to remove him from his top position, citing "worsening management issues."

The formal announcement of DeMints new position is expected Monday, USA Today reports.

Mark Meckler, a co-founder of the Tea Party Patriots, will also be reportedly a leading figure in these efforts.

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DeMint eyes 'new mission' for Tea Party: Changing the Constitution - The Hill (blog)

WEST OAK LANE >> Colorful hats, lace table cloths and porcelain teapots pouring hot water into floral cups mounted on saucers were the hallmark of a spring tea held by the St. Athanasius Catholic Community to add more funds to the coffers that supports the church located at Limekiln Pike and Walnut Lane in West Oak Lane, the adjacent school and its worship site, formerly St. Benedicts Church at 1930 E. Chelten Ave.

Louise Frasier, the brainchild of many of the church fundraisers, decided to have an afternoon tea. With a menu of tea sandwiches, bite size cakes and pastries and hot tea, dozens of women and girls put on traditional dresses and broad-brimmed sometimes stunning hats. The backdrop was a video screen that showed motion pictures like Hidden Figures. This event raised another $2,000 for the parish community, according to Frasier.

I just love putting together things like this, Frasier said. Many of the cups and teapots are from my own collection. I just love sharing with the church ladies. I learned a lot about catering working with family in New York ... I found I loved doing it and Ive been hosting events ever since.

The event was hosted by the Knights of Peter Clavers Ladies Auxiliary, Court 342, headquartered at St. Athanasius. While some of the knights were on hand to take photographs or carry trays, this was clearly a ladies afternoon. Though about half present were St. Athanasius members, it was clearly an ecumenical affair as many from other Northwest Philadelphia churches were present.

Yet what stood out at the soiree was the colorful array of spring headwear. One could find Shayne Crawford, who readily admitted that she had not been to church in a while. When her grandmother told her about the tea party, she said, she figured she would show off her deep gold hat and support the family church.

This is great and amazing, Crawford said. Everyone just looks so fancy. I am having such a good time seeing all the members wearing their hats. I have not been here in a long time, and it feels good to be here.

Friends Hazel Coleman and Gloria Hicks were proud to show off their gold and lime hats, respectively. Coleman, a member of the Bethesda Church that meets on New Covenant Churchs Germantown Avenue campus, said she loves going to church-based tea parties.

There was a time when women did not go to church without wearing a hat, Coleman said. I used to be known as the Hat Lady, and I still have all my hats. I even had a show about hats on WDAS, but I am not on the air anymore. Now I usually only wear my hats on Mothers Day or Easter, so its good to have a chance to wear them, Coleman said.

Hicks, too, is a church hat lover. She has been a member of St. Athanasius for more than 50 years. She said the Ladies Auxiliary, an arm of the African-American national knights organization, is always coming up with fresh ideas about ways of raising monies for the parish.

I think this is lovely because you feel spring-like, Hicks said. Its been a lot of dreary weather lately. When you wear a spring-like hat, it is very uplifting.

Crystal Bell, one of the charter members of the St. Athanasius ladies court, said she has been a church member for 40 years and with the Ladies Auxiliary for more than 20 years. For her, it was a chance to encourage new members, like Hicks, to come on board.

This is truly a labor of love, Bell said.

Janice E. Paige was seated close to 97-year-old Reava Carson, who was the oldest hat wearer at the tea party. Relatives Wendy Howell and Merlie Heyward were showing off their broad brimmed brightly colored straw hats.

The Rev. Joseph Okonski dropped by the event to see the crowd and get a bite to eat. He said he was pleased with the full house in attendance.

The place looks beautiful, and everyone looks very sharp and elegant, Okonski said.

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Tea party fundraiser supports West Oak Lane church - Montgomery Newspapers

On the question of whether to support Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump, Tea Party Patriots Citizens Fund the Super PAC affiliated with the largest tea party organization in the country has made its choice, Tea Party Patriots Citizens Fund (TPPCF) chairman Jenny Beth Martin explained in a statement issued on Thursday.

Hillary Clinton stands opposed to everything the Tea Party stands for, on the policy, political, and personal fronts. Donald Trump, on the other hand, has pledged to fight to uphold our core values. In making a choice between the two of them, there is really no choice at all we choose Trump.

The Super PACplans to get out the vote for the Republican nominee and Republican Senate candidates in four key states: Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida and North Carolina.

According to a press release, TPPCFhas more than57,000 supporters in the state of Pennsylvania. It also has more than 48,000 supporters in Ohio and at least 37,000 supporters in North Carolina. In Florida, the organization has more than 97,000 supporters.

Martin slammed Clinton for believing more government solves public policy problems.

She takes the same dim view of the Constitutions limits on government (and, specifically, the executive) taken by the current president, Martinblasted.

Shecontinued:

[Clinton]supports President Obamas disastrous nuclear deal with Iran, wants to double down on his unconstitutional executive amnesty including full citizenship for illegal immigrants and wants to increase President Obamas limit for accepting Syrian refugees by more than 500 percent. And while we dont know who would be the liberal extremists she would try to jam through a Democrat-controlled Senate to put on the federal bench, including the Supreme Court, we know they would be extreme and out of touch with constitutionally limited government.

Martinalso said she believes that Clintons policies would result in more division, not less.

She went on toattack Clintons honesty and her [commingling] of official State Department business with Clinton Foundation and other personal business, she chose to put Americas national security at risk by employing an illegal, unsecured private server to host her official emails, many of which contained classified information, and then lied repeatedly about it, and is still lying about it.

Simply put, America cannot afford a Hillary Clinton presidency, Martin declared.

Her organizations members care about the future of the Supreme Court, fighting terrorism, tax reform, repealing the Affordable Care Act, securing the border and the increasing federal debt.

Martin added:

The simple fact is this: With a Republican House and a Republican Senate and Donald Trump in the White House, Tea Party members and supporters will be far more likely to see our preferred policy choices enacted into law: We are far likelier to see the future of the Supreme Court protected, the borders secured, terrorism fought effectively, ObamaCare repealed, the national debt reduced, and the tax code reformed in such a way that the economy is energized and job growth soars.Consequently, Tea Party Patriots Citizens Fund endorses Donald Trump for President.

An endorsement, by itself, is not enough, sheconcluded. We are not sitting idly by while our nations future is at stake. We are taking action. We have launched our March to Victory to mobilize our grassroots and get out the vote in key states, with the goal of helping to defeat Hillary Clinton and maintain control of the Senate.

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Tea Party Super PAC Endorses Donald Trump - Breitbart