Us goverment : amending the constitution, History

Assignment Help:

Amending the Constitution

The Framers who wrote the U.S. Constitution were well aware that they could not foresee all the events, emergencies, and changes that would inevitably confront the government of the United States. As a result, they deliberately created a Constitution that would be flexible and adaptable. Many of the provisions in the Constitution, such as Congress's power to regulate commerce between the states, are deliberately broad, even vague, in order to allow legislators some latitude to adapt these powers to changing times and needs. Americans still debate the extent and the limits of Congress's power to regulate commerce, just as they debate many other provisions of the Constitution.

The main way that the Framers created a Constitution that could be adapted to changing times was to provide for that Constitution to be amended. Amending the U.S. Constitution is not easy, nor is it meant to be. James Madison and the other Framers wanted the Constitution to be changed only in rare circumstances, and only when there was overwhelming support for doing so. To amend the Constitution, the proposed amendment must first be approved by a two-thirds majority in both houses of Congress, then submitted to the states. Three-quarters of the state legislatures (today 38 out of 50) must then ratify the amendment in order for it to be added to the Constitution. (Alternately, two-thirds of the states can request that a Constitutional convention be called to amend the Constitution, and proposed amendments can be ratified by Constitutional conventions in three-quarters of the states, instead of the by the state legislatures.)

 


Related Discussions:- Us goverment : amending the constitution

Which mode of transportation used in industrial revolution, which mode of t...

which mode of transportation is usually associated with the second industrial revolution?

The factors that led to american involvement in world war i, Identify and t...

Identify and thoroughly describe the factors that led to American involvement in World War I

Europe''s greatest power, During the sixteenth century Spain was Europe's g...

During the sixteenth century Spain was Europe's greatest power; in the seventeenth century, she was still strong, but in decline; in the eighteenth century she was no longer equal

Explain the capitalist system, Discussion topic #: Based upon your reading ...

Discussion topic #: Based upon your reading materials for this unit, do you agree or disagree that more government intervention is needed in the capitalist system? Please justify y

Explain why did we have a cold war, Why were we (United States) so afraid o...

Why were we (United States) so afraid of communism? Why did we have a cold war?

Missouri compromise pro-slavery and antislavery americans?, How did the Mis...

How did the Missouri Compromise balance the interests of pro-slavery and antislavery Americans? The first major debate over slavery occurred when the Missouri Territory applied

Examine creation and demise of political parties, Please examine the creati...

Please examine the creation and demise of the following political parties: Federalist, Democratic, Whigs, Know-Nothings, Republication: why were they formed and when? If they no lo

World of charlemagne, From the height of the roman empire to the world of C...

From the height of the roman empire to the world of Charlemagne and the Holy Roman empire, what were the greatest changes that took place?

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd