GED Social Studies TestCivics and GovernmentHard
An amendment to the U.S. Constitution has been proposed by a two-thirds vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. What is the next crucial step for this proposed amendment to be formally ratified and added to the Constitution?
- AIt must be approved by a national popular vote.
- BIt must be ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures.
- CIt must be signed by the President of the United States.
- DIt must be approved by the Supreme Court.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. It must be ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures.
Article V of the U.S. Constitution outlines the amendment process. After a proposed amendment passes Congress with a two-thirds majority, it must then be ratified by three-fourths (currently 38) of the individual state legislatures or by conventions in three-fourths of the states.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. The U.S. Constitution does not provide for a national popular vote to ratify amendments.
- C. The President has no official role in the constitutional amendment process.
- D. The Supreme Court interprets the Constitution but does not approve amendments.
Constitutional Amendment Process
The formal procedure outlined in Article V of the U.S. Constitution for changing or adding to the Constitution, requiring both proposal and ratification.
- Two main stages: proposal and ratification
- Most common method: 2/3 vote in both houses of Congress for proposal, 3/4 state legislatures for ratification
- President has no role in the process
Memory trick: P.R. = 'Propose, Ratify' to amend.