1. Amending the Constitution

2. Amending the Constitution
Amend= to change
2 ways to amend the
Constitution
Formal Process
Requires large majority (2/3 to propose and 3/4 to adopt)
Involves both Congress and the states to act
Informal Process

3. Initiation 1. 2/3 of both Houses of Congress may propose an amendment
OR...
2. 2/3 of states may petition the Congress to convene a national initiating meeting

4. Ratification
3/4 of the state legislatures formally approve (ratify) the amendment OR...
Specially appointed state ratifying conventions may be appointed instead of state legislatures

5. Informal Process Other ways to change the Constitution
Court Interpretation
Congressional Statute
Custom/Tradition
Treaty Making Power

6. Assignment: War Powers
War happens… but who’s in charge when it does? The Constitution isn’t clear on this issue, so you’re going to change it!
Read the handout “When it comes to war…who’s in charge?”
Answer questions 1-3 on your own paper
Create an amendment to the Constitution on the paper provided, to be presented to the class