1. The Constitution and the Amendment Process

2. Amendment
a change in the words or meaning of a law or document (such as a constitution)

3. Methods of Proposal

4. Methods of Proposal Method 1
By 2/3 vote in both the House and the Senate
[most common method of proposing an amendment]

5. 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

6. Methods of Ratification

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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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 : making marriage between races illegal 1914: finding divorce to be illegal : 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.

12. 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

13. Political Cartoon #1 Title: Flag Burning Amendment
Gary Markstein, Wisconsin, The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel , July 18, 2005 ,

14. Political Cartoon #2 Title: Flag Burning
Steve Breen, The San Diego Union-Tribune, July 25, 2005

15. Political Cartoon #3 Title: Gay Marriage Amendment
Mike Lane, Cagle Cartoons. Feb. 26, 2004