The Constitution and the The Constitution and the Amendment ProcessAmendment Process

Amendment

• a change in the words or meaning of a law or document (such as a constitution)

Methods of Proposal

Methods of Proposal

Method 1

By 2/3 vote in both the House and the Senate

[most common method of proposing an amendment]

Methods of ProposalMethods of Proposal

Method 2

By national constitutional convention called by Congress at the request of 2/3 of the state legislatures

[This method has never been used]

Method 1

By 2/3 vote in both the House and the Senate

[most common method of proposing an amendment]

Or

Methods of RatificationMethods of Ratification

Methods of RatificationMethods of Ratification

Method 1

By legislatures in ¾ of the states

[in all but one case, this is how amendments have been ratified]

Methods of RatificationMethods of Ratification

Method 2

Ratified through conventions in ¾ of the states.

[Only been used once to ratify the 21st Amendment]

Method 1

By legislatures in ¾ of the states

[in all but one case, this is how amendments have been ratified]

Or

Amendment ProcessAmendment ProcessMethods of Proposal

Method 1

By 2/3 vote in both the House and the Senate

Or

Method 2

By national constitutional convention called by Congress at the request of 2/3 of the state legislatures

Methods of Ratification

Method 1

By legislatures in ¾ of the states

Or

Method 2

Ratified through conventions in ¾ of the states.

Suggested Amendment Topics

Flag burning Allow non-natural

born citizens to become President

Official language(s) of U.S.

Definition of marriage

Prayer in school

Balanced budget Electoral College Terms limits on

U.S. Senators & Representatives

Access to medical care for all citizens

Death penalty Campaign Finance

Proposed Amendments Proposed Amendments 1876: an attempt to abolish the United States Senate1876: an attempt to abolish the United States Senate

1876: the forbidding of religious leaders from occupying a governmental office or receiving federal funding1876: the forbidding of religious leaders from occupying a governmental office or receiving federal funding

1878: an Executive Council of Three should replace the office of President1878: an Executive Council of Three should replace the office of President

1893: renaming this nation the “United States of the Earth”1893: renaming this nation the “United States of the Earth”

1893: abolishing the United States Army and Navy1893: abolishing the United States Army and Navy

1894: acknowledging that the Constitution recognizes God and Jesus Christ as the supreme authorities in 1894: acknowledging that the Constitution recognizes God and Jesus Christ as the supreme authorities in human affairs.human affairs.

1912: making marriage between races illegal1912: making marriage between races illegal

1914: finding divorce to be illegal1914: finding divorce to be illegal

1933: an attempt to limit the personal wealth to $1 million1933: an attempt to limit the personal wealth to $1 million

1936: an attempt to allow the American people to vote on whether or not the United States should go to war1936: an attempt to allow the American people to vote on whether or not the United States should go to war

1938: the forbidding of drunkenness in the United States and all of its territories1938: the forbidding of drunkenness in the United States and all of its territories

1947: the income tax maximum for an individual should not exceed 25%1947: the income tax maximum for an individual should not exceed 25%

1948: the right of citizens to segregate themselves from others1948: the right of citizens to segregate themselves from others

1971: American citizens should have the alienable right to an environment free of pollution.1971: American citizens should have the alienable right to an environment free of pollution.

Proposed Amendments 1991-2006Proposed Amendments 1991-2006

Lower age of House of Rep. to 21 yearsLower age of House of Rep. to 21 years Allow Congress to pass laws for Allow Congress to pass laws for

emergency replenishment if ¼ is killedemergency replenishment if ¼ is killed To clarify the meaning of the 2To clarify the meaning of the 2ndnd

amendmentamendment To repeal income taxTo repeal income tax To enable or repeal laws by popular voteTo enable or repeal laws by popular vote

Political Cartoon #1Political Cartoon #1Title: Flag Burning Amendment

Gary Markstein, Wisconsin, The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel , July 18, 2005 ,http://www.politicalcartoons.com

Political Cartoon #2Political Cartoon #2Title: Flag Burning

Steve Breen, The San Diego Union-Tribune, July 25, 2005http://www.politicalcartoons.com

Political Cartoon #3Political Cartoon #3Title: Gay Marriage Amendment

Mike Lane, Cagle Cartoons. Feb. 26, 2004 http://www.politicalcartoons.com