The Constitution and the Amendment Process

1
The Constitution and the Amendment Process
2
Amendment

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

3
Methods of Proposal
4
Methods of Proposal
Method 1 By 2/3 vote in both the House and the
Senate most common method of proposing an
amendment
5
Methods 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
6
Methods of Ratification
7
Methods of Ratification
Method 1 By legislatures in ¾ of the states in
all but one case, this is how amendments have
been ratified
8
Methods 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
9
Amendment Process
Methods of Proposal
Methods of Ratification
Method 1 By 2/3 vote in both the House and the
Senate
Method 1 By legislatures in ¾ of the states
Or
Or
Method 2 Ratified through conventions in ¾ of
the states.
Method 2 By national constitutional convention
called by Congress at the request of 2/3 of the
state legislatures
10
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

11
Proposed Amendments

• 1876 an attempt to abolish the United States
  Senate1876 the forbidding of religious leaders
  from occupying a governmental office or receiving
  federal funding1878 an Executive Council of
  Three should replace the office of
  President1893 renaming this nation the United
  States of the Earth1893 abolishing the United
  States Army and Navy1894 acknowledging that
  the Constitution recognizes God and Jesus Christ
  as the supreme authorities in human
  affairs.1912 making marriage between races
  illegal1914 finding divorce to be
  illegal1933 an attempt to limit the personal
  wealth to 1 million1936 an attempt to allow
  the American people to vote on whether or not the
  United States should go to war1938 the
  forbidding of drunkenness in the United States
  and all of its territories1947 the income tax
  maximum for an individual should not exceed
  251948 the right of citizens to segregate
  themselves from others1971 American citizens
  should have the alienable right to an environment
  free of pollution.

12
Proposed Amendments 1991-2006

• Lower age of House of Rep. to 21 years
• Allow Congress to pass laws for emergency
  replenishment if ¼ is killed
• To clarify the meaning of the 2nd amendment
• To repeal income tax
• To enable or repeal laws by popular vote

13
Political Cartoon 1Title Flag Burning
Amendment
Gary Markstein, Wisconsin, The Milwaukee
Journal-Sentinel , July 18, 2005
, http//www.politicalcartoons.com
14
Political Cartoon 2Title Flag Burning
Steve Breen, The San Diego Union-Tribune, July
25, 2005 http//www.politicalcartoons.com
15
Political Cartoon 3Title Gay Marriage
Amendment
Mike Lane, Cagle Cartoons. Feb. 26, 2004
http//www.politicalcartoons.com