Describe the process of amending the Constitution, making sure to include all parts of the process from Proposal to Ratification.(4 points)
The process of amending the Constitution involves two main steps: proposal and ratification.
1. Proposal:
- Step 1: Proposal by Congress: An amendment can be proposed by a two-thirds majority vote in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. This can happen when either a senator or a representative introduces a bill for an amendment.
- Step 2: Proposal by Convention: Alternatively, an amendment can be proposed if two-thirds of the states call for a constitutional convention. This method has never been used for proposing amendments, but it is still an option.
2. Ratification:
- Step 3: Ratification by State Legislatures: Once an amendment is proposed, it is sent to the states for ratification. Three-fourths (or 38) of the state legislatures must approve the amendment for it to be ratified. This is the most common method of ratification.
- Step 4: Ratification by State Conventions: As an alternative to state legislatures, three-fourths of the states can choose to hold conventions to ratify the proposed amendment. This method has only been used once, for the 21st Amendment which ended Prohibition.
It is important to note that the proposal and ratification steps are separate, meaning that there can be different methods used for proposal and ratification. This provides flexibility and allows for multiple avenues to amend the Constitution. Once an amendment is ratified, it becomes part of the Constitution and carries the same weight as any other provision in it. However, the process of amending the Constitution is intentionally difficult, requiring significant popular and governmental support, in order to preserve the stability and endurance of the nation's fundamental governing document.