11. Amending the
Constitution
The Amendment Process
There are essentially two
ways spelled out in the
Constitution for how to
propose an amendment.
The first method is for a
proposal to pass both houses
of the legislature, by a twothirds majority in each.
Once the bill has passed both
houses, it goes on to the states.
This is the route taken by all
current amendments.
The 27th Amendment to the
Constitution, on May 7, 1992, 203 years
after it was proposed:
No law, varying the compensation for the
services of the Senators and
Representatives, shall take effect, until
an election of Representatives shall
have intervened.
Because of some long
outstanding amendments,
such as the 27th, Congress
will normally put a time limit
for the bill to be approved as
an amendment
The second method
prescribed is for a
Constitutional Convention to
be called by two-thirds of the
legislatures of the States, and
for that Convention to
propose one or more
amendments.
These amendments are then
sent to the states to be
approved by three-fourths of
the legislatures or
conventions. This route has
never been taken.
The President does not have a
role in the formal amendment
process. He cannot veto an
amendment proposal, nor a
ratification.
AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION
1. A two-thirds vote of each house of Congress
Proposing an
Amendment
Ratifying an
Amendment
AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION
1. A two-thirds vote of each house of Congress
Proposing an
Amendment
2. A national convention called by Congress at the request of twothirds of the states
Ratifying an
Amendment
AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION
1. A two-thirds vote of each house of Congress
Proposing an
Amendment
2. A national convention called by Congress at the request of twothirds of the states
1. Legislatures in three-fourths of the states ratify an amendment
Ratifying an
Amendment
AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION
1. A two-thirds vote of each house of Congress
Proposing an
Amendment
2. A national convention called by Congress at the request of twothirds of the states
1. Legislatures in three-fourths of the states ratify an amendment
Ratifying an
Amendment
2. Each state calls a special ratifying convention; the amendment
becomes part of the Constitution when three-fourths of these
conventions approve it