[ 3.2 ] Amending the Constitution

Formal Amendment Process The President does not have a role in the formal amendment process.Analyze Charts Why do you think the Constitution outlines amendment methods involving Congress and State legislatures?

Federalism and Popular Sovereignty A senator stands atop a pyramid of the groups that got him elected. Analyze Political Cartoons How might each group have contributed to his election?

Proposing an Amendment The Constitution places only one restriction on the subjects with which a proposed amendment may deal. Article V declares that “no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.’’ Reasonable Time Limit- 7 years with the possibility of extensions

Proposing an Amendment Inez Milholland was a labor lawyer and activist who rode in the Woman Suffrage Parade in 1913 as part of her fight to amend the Constitution to give women the right to vote.

Proposing an Amendment

The 27 Amendments The first ten amendments protect many fundamental rights held by the people. Generate Explanations Why is it important to spell out these rights?

The 27 Amendments George Mason refused to sign the Constitution because it did not cite individual and States’ rights. Because of his efforts, the Bill of Rights was ratified less than three years later.

Informal changes: Congress Not all changes to govt. have to be formally done through changing the wording of the Constitution Framers intended for this to occur through laws or through practices Impeachment process: accusation of wrong doings of federal officials

Informal changes: Presidential Presidential Succession Foreign Affairs Use executive agreements, agreement between two heads of state that does not require Congressional approval, rather than treaties, which does require Congressional approval Domestic Affairs Modern president far more active in requesting legislation than framers intended

Informal Changes: Judicial Judicial review: Ability of the court to declare laws as unconstitutional Results in differing interpretations of the Constitution: Judicial restraint: idea that the court should avoid taking initiative on social and political questions Judicial activism: idea that the court should play a role in shaping national policies

Parties and customs National conventions to pick the Presidential nominee Electoral college Presidential cabinet- advisory board to the President, 15 heads of executive depts Succession of the Presidency Senatorial courtesy

Change by Other Means Gun control advocates and opponents protest outside the U.S. Supreme Court. The role of the Court is to interpret the Constitution and determine the constitutionality of federal laws.

Change by Other Means The 113th Congress reflected a new makeup of political party affiliations. Analyze Charts What effect might the 113th Congressional profile have had on Democratic President Obama's agenda?

Quiz: Formal Amendment Process Which is a method of formal amendment? A. An amendment is proposed by Congress and ratified by conventions called for that purpose in one half of the States. B. An amendment is proposed by a national convention and then ratified by conventions in one fourth of the States. C. An amendment is proposed by a two thirds vote in each house of Congress and then ratified by three fourths of State legislatures. D. An amendment is proposed by a national convention called by Congress at the request of one third of the State legislatures.

Quiz: Federalism and Popular Sovereignty Which may be called for before an amendment is ratified by a State legislature? A. a statewide vote to approve the amendment B. approval of the amendment by the National Government C. a statewide advisory vote on the amendment D. approval of the amendment by the governor

Quiz: Change by Other Means Which is an example of an unwritten custom that became part of the Constitution? A. the practice of senatorial courtesy B. presidential term limits C. the nomination of presidential candidates D. the power of judicial review