U.S. Citizenship Civics TestSystem of GovernmentHard
A new resident is curious about the process of amending the U.S. Constitution. What is the most common method for proposing an amendment to the Constitution?
- ABy a national convention called by two-thirds of the state legislatures.
- BBy a two-thirds vote of both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
- CBy a petition signed by a majority of U.S. citizens.
- DBy a simple majority vote in both the House and the Senate.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. By a two-thirds vote of both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
The most common and historically used method for proposing amendments 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. This is a valid method for proposing amendments, but it has never been used.
- C. Citizen petitions are not a formal method for proposing constitutional amendments.
- D. A simple majority is insufficient for proposing a constitutional amendment.
Constitutional Amendment Process
The formal procedures outlined in Article V of the U.S. Constitution for changing or adding to its text.
- Two main stages: proposal and ratification.
- Most common proposal: 2/3 vote in both houses of Congress.
- Most common ratification: 3/4 of state legislatures.
Memory trick: Congress proposes, States ratify, two-thirds and three-fourths are key.