The Constitution and the Amendment 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 Proposal Method 2 Method 1 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 Ratification

Methods of Ratification By legislatures in ¾ of the states [in all but one case, this is how amendments have been ratified]

Methods of Ratification 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 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

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 1876: an attempt to abolish the United States Senate 1876: 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 President 1893: renaming this nation the “United States of the Earth” 1893: abolishing the United States Army and Navy 1894: acknowledging that the Constitution recognizes God and Jesus Christ as the supreme authorities in human affairs. 1912: making marriage between races illegal 1914: finding divorce to be illegal 1933: 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 war 1938: 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% 1948: the right of citizens to segregate themselves from others 1971: American citizens should have the alienable right to an environment free of pollution.

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

Political Cartoon #1 Title: Flag Burning Amendment Gary Markstein, Wisconsin, The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel , July 18, 2005 , http://www.politicalcartoons.com

Political Cartoon #2 Title: Flag Burning Steve Breen, The San Diego Union-Tribune, July 25, 2005 http://www.politicalcartoons.com

Political Cartoon #3 Title: Gay Marriage Amendment Mike Lane, Cagle Cartoons. Feb. 26, 2004 http://www.politicalcartoons.com