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

Eastern and western europe differ after the second world war, How did easte...

How did eastern and western Europe differ after the second world war?

Trace the ideological roots of the american resistance, Trace the ideologic...

Trace the ideological roots of the American Resistance to Great Britain in the colonists' request for independence. What exactly were the three major intellectual traditions that p

HELP, How did the Militia Act affect African Americans during the Civil War...

How did the Militia Act affect African Americans during the Civil War?

Effects of the great depression on u.s. society, Analyze the Reconstruction...

Analyze the Reconstruction Era. What legal and political reforms did the U.S. government try to bring about in the conquered south? Discuss the role of Radical Republicans in the r

Federalism : states and national goverment, Federalism: the Relationship B...

Federalism: the Relationship Between States and National Government The United States, as its name suggests, is a federal republic of separate states. The federal system of gov

Whose philosophy primarily influenced thomas jefferson, Whose philosophy pr...

Whose philosophy primarily influenced Thomas Jefferson? a. What kind of government did Jefferson hope to have?

Rebuilding the nation in the wake of the civil war, What would be same main...

What would be same main points that are valuable to completely answer the following: A number of plans were offered for Reconstruction. Which plan had the best chances of rebuildin

Strengths and weaknesses of the colonists, Compare and contrast the strengt...

Compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses of the colonists and Great Britain at the start of the Revolutionary War.

Why were the battles at gettysburg and vicksburg significant, Why were the ...

Why were the battles at Gettysburg and Vicksburg significant? How did they change the tide of war strategically? Diplomatically? Psychologically?

Help, Ask fhgjhkjk,gj.j, question #Minimum 100 words accepted#

Ask fhgjhkjk,gj.j, question #Minimum 100 words accepted#

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