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

Explain the asian migration hypothesis, Explain the "Asian Migration Hypoth...

Explain the "Asian Migration Hypothesis" as detailed in the text. According to this theory, how did natives gradually spread over the continent in subsequent migrations?

Develop a two page paper analyzing the article, James H. Merrell, "The Indi...

James H. Merrell, "The Indians' New World: The Catawba Experience," The William and Mary Quarterly, 41 (October, 1984): 538-565. Develop a two page paper analyzing the article a

Spiritual highpoint in many culture, Which one of the time periods below wa...

Which one of the time periods below was a spiritual highpoint in many cultures and included the life of the Buddha, the Hebrew prophets, and the birth of Daoism and Confucianism? A

What are some things that locke says about america, What are some things th...

What are some things that Locke says about America? What are his views?

Challenge to the emerging states of the renaissance, Why was private justic...

Why was private justice a challenge to the emerging states of the Renaissance ?

Discuss religion, Define religion, and discuss why it is useful in society....

Define religion, and discuss why it is useful in society. Explain why it is important for you personally to understand the beliefs of other religious groups.

Native americans or immigrants groups, FROM world war 2 through the clinton...

FROM world war 2 through the clinton administration, various groups in america have significantly expanded their civil, economic and politica, rights though challenges still remain

U.S history check, I have a practice test that I am not turning into my tea...

I have a practice test that I am not turning into my teacher but I have it finished and just want you to check it. You can go through all of the question figure out if their right

What were the similarities and what were the differences, The Great Depress...

The Great Depression began in 1929. Discuss generally the efforts of Herbert Hoover and Franklin Roosevelt to deal with the crisis. What were the similarities and what were the dif

Reforms of mustafa kemal ataturk, What were some of the most significant re...

What were some of the most significant reforms of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in establishing the Republic of Turkey

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