1. Formal Amendments & Changes
Chapter 3.2 & 3.3

2. The Formal Amendment Process

3. Amendments There are 27 Amendments
First 10 Amendments, are called the Bill of Rights
Last Amendment passed was in 1992, the 27th Amendment which dealt with Congressional pay. Interestingly enough, it was actually written by James Madison in 1789… what?

4. Change by Other Means
Basic legislation- The legislative branch can write laws, in the form of bills, acts etc. (see pg. 85)
Executive Action- The President can sign Executive Orders, Executive Agreements, and Memorandums.
Court Decisions- Case precedent can change the way in which government works, and can in turn “change the law” e.g. Marbury v. Madison

5. More “Change by other means”
Party Practices- Government in the United States is in many ways a government through party. i.e. look at the electoral college
Custom and Usage- unwritten customs, expectations, and everyday needs of the government and our society.

6. The Elastic Clause
A statement in the U.S. Constitution (Article I, Section 8) granting Congress the power to pass all laws necessary and proper for carrying out the enumerated list of powers.