Bill of Rights Goal 1.07 ~ Chapter 4

Ratification Process Two ways to ratify an Amendment

The Amendment Process 2/3 of Congress (made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate) proposes an amendment. 66 senators and 290 House of Representatives ¾ of state legislatures ratify (accept) the amendment ¾ of special state conventions ratify (accept) the amendment.

The Amendment Process 2/3 of state legislatures ask for a meeting to propose an amendment 34 states A special convention is called and the amendment is proposed 38

Rarely Ratified 1000s of amendments have been proposed since the Constitution was written 27 have been passed

Rarely Passed Between 1989-1999 Congress proposed more than 850 amendments!!!!

Failed Amendments Changing the voting age to 16 Eliminating Income Tax Making English the official language Changing the way amendments are proposed.

Amendments 1-10 Amendment 1—Separation of church and state (establishment clause). Freedom of religion, speech, press, petition, peaceable assembly. Amendment 2—Right to bear arms.

Amendment 3—No quartering of soldiers in peace time. Amendment 4—No illegal searches and seizures. Amendment 5—Right to due process; no double jeopardy and no self-incrimination.

Amendment 6—Right to a speedy and public trial (jury trial) and the right to an attorney. Amendment 7—Civil cases over $20 will receive a jury trial. Amendment 8—No cruel and unusual punishment and no excessive bail.

Amendment 9—The Constitution will not be used to take away the rights of any citizen. Amendment 10—Any powers not specifically granted to the federal government will stay with the states.

Amendments 11-27 Amendment 11—Limits the jurisdiction of the federal courts. Amendment 12—The Electoral College will use separate ballots for voting for president and Vice President. Amendment 13—Abolished slavery. Amendment 14—No U.S. citizen shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law. (originally drafted to protect freed slaves)

Amendment 15—The right to vote cannot be denied on the basis of race. Amendment 16—Gave federal government right to collect income tax. Amendment 17—Senators will be elected through a popular vote (by the people).

Amendment 18 - Prohibited the manufacture, sale and transportation of alcohol in the U.S. (prohibition). Amendment 19—Gave women the right to vote (women’s suffrage). Amendment 20—Allowed the President-elect to take office in January instead of March allowing less “lame duck” time.

Amendment 21 – Repeal prohibition (the 18th Amendment). Amendment 22 – Limits presidents to two terms in office. Amendment 23 – Gives residents of the District of Columbia the right to vote.

Amendment 24 – Abolishes poll tax. Amendment 25 – Establishes procedures for cessation to the presidency. Amendment 26 – Sets voting age at 18 years. Amendment 27 – Delays congressional pay raises until the term following their passage.