After extended debate, the Senate has backed HCR 64 in a divided voice vote, approving a House-passed measure backed by Gov. Butch Otter calling for an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to broaden the 10th Amendment on states' rights and narrow the Commerce Clause. Sen. Curtis McKenzie, R-Nampa, said it would "return to that balance of power between the states and the federal government." House Minority Leader Kate Kelly, D-Boise, said, "This is the 14th bill, resolution, memorial that we've had this year telling the federal government that we want sovereignty, we want them out of out of our business." Kelly said the measures at best do nothing, and at worst "set us up for lawsuits." She asked, "How many jobs does this resolution create? How many Idahoans does it help?"

Senate Republicans including Jim Hammond, R-Post Falls, spoke out in favor of the measure. He contended that "how much money we send to Washington, D.C." ... "is hurting our opportunity to grow jobs here," and said, "We are a union of 50 states. ... They overreach far beyond that, and it does not serve our best interest, and it does cost us a lot of money."  Sen. Monty Pearce, R-New Plymouth, said, "Folks, we have an amazing system. We don't have to go to revolution to take back our rights. This is a constitutional step that we're taking because our constitution allows us to amend it. ... This is a long-term fix that allows us to economically move."

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