Amendment Process 8 Slides after this one!

Amendment is a written Change to the Constitution – it is describing how the government WORKS Law is a rule written down. All laws must follow the Constitution Amendment or Law

It is not easy to amend the Constitution – takes a lot of agreement between a lot of people. Very long process – careful thought put in to wording the amendments because you are changing the way the government works Amendments

Proposing an Amendment 1. Congress Proposes an amendment by 2/3 vote of both houses 2. Legislatures of 2/3 of the states (34/50) can ask Congress to hold a national convention to propose an amendment. This method has never been used successfully Proposing an Amendment

Ratifying the Amendment It must be ratified by ¾ (38) of the states. Can happen 1 or 2 ways… 1. Proposed amendment is sent to state legislatures for approval 2. Sending the proposed amendment to a convention of delegates in each state. If an amendment turns out not to work – it can be repealed like the 18th amendment. Ratifying the Amendment

Other Changes Constitution also changes by interpretation Interpretation can be used to pass or veto other laws For Example – Congress passes a law setting a minimum wage. Nothing in the Constitution talks about minimum wage, but it does talk about Congress controlling trade. Congress can interpret the Constitution to mean trade includes the workers making the goods and their conditions. Other Changes

Bill of Rights First 10 Amendments to the Constitution Added in 1791 Added to protect the rights of American citizens Bill of Rights

Right to a quick and fair trial by a jury of his/her peers – where he/she hears the witnesses against him/her. Right to religious freedom Not be searched without a search warrant These Rights Include

Other Amendments 13th – slavery abolished 15th – right for any man regardless of race to vote 19th – gave women the right to vote 21st – repeal the prohibition (18th amendment) Other Amendments