Video:How to Amend the Constitution
with Robert LongleyWant to amend the constitution of the United States of America? Here's how it's done.See Transcript
Transcript:How to Amend the Constitution
Information on How to Amend the Constitution
Article V of the Constitution spells out the processes by which amendments can be proposed and ratified. To Propose Amendments Two-thirds of both houses of Congress vote to propose an amendment, orTwo-thirds of the state legislatures ask Congress to call a national convention to propose amendments. To Ratify Amendments Three-fourths of the state legislatures approve it, orRatifying conventions in three-fourths of the states approve it. The Supreme Court has stated that ratification must be within "some reasonable time after the proposal."Time Period for Ratification of the Constitution
Beginning with the 18th amendment, it has been customary for Congress to set a definite period for ratification. Of the thousands of proposals that have been made to amend the Constitution, only 33 obtained the necessary two-thirds vote in Congress. Of those 33, only 27 amendments (including the Bill of Rights) have been ratified.Thanks for watching. To learn more, visit About.com.
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