U.S. Citizenship Civics TestSystem of GovernmentMedium
A new resident is curious about the process of amending the U.S. Constitution. What is the most common method for proposing an amendment?
- AA national referendum approved by a simple majority
- BA unanimous vote of the Supreme Court
- CA two-thirds vote of the state legislatures
- DA two-thirds vote of both houses of Congress
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. A two-thirds vote of both houses of Congress
The most common method for proposing an amendment to the U.S. Constitution is a two-thirds vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. A national referendum is not a constitutional method for proposing amendments.
- B. The Supreme Court interprets the Constitution but does not propose amendments.
- C. This is a method of ratification, not proposal, and requires three-fourths of state legislatures.
Constitutional Amendment Process (Proposal)
The U.S. Constitution can be formally changed through a two-step process of proposal and ratification. The most common proposal method is a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate.
- Two methods of proposal, two methods of ratification
- 2/3 vote in Congress is the primary proposal method
- No amendment has been proposed by national convention yet
Memory trick: To change the Constitution, Congress proposes, states ratify.