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

Rapid spread of islam in 7th-century arabia, How do you account for the sud...

How do you account for the sudden and rapid spread of Islam in 7th-century Arabia?

Impact of the invention of the cotton gin, Which three resources were repor...

Which three resources were reported as existing in incredible numbers. In your own words, analyze the impact of the invention of the cotton gin and how it opened up a "rush" to

The history of netherlands, The Netherlands Located to the north of Fra...

The Netherlands Located to the north of France and west of the Rhine river, and known as the "low lands" because much of the land is at or below sea level, this region (often a

Which of the following characterized the spoils system, Which of the follow...

Which of the following characterized the spoils system? A:) Elected officials rewarded their supporters with jobs. B:) Government workers received their jobs due to their exp

What message was franklin d. roosevelt attempting, What message was Frankli...

What message was Franklin D. Roosevelt attempting to communicate to Americans when he claimed that "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself" in his inaugural speech?

Contrast different forms of slavery in north america, Compare and contrast ...

Compare and contrast different forms of slavery in North America. Who was enslaved and who were the slaveholders? What was the role of slavery in European and Comanche imperiali

The repeal of the townshend duties, The repeal of the Townshend duties... ...

The repeal of the Townshend duties... a. immediately strengthened Americans resistance to royal policies and resulted in several major riots b. eliminated the fundamental politi

America, who discover america

who discover america

Race in Turn of the Century America, What is the specific state and nationa...

What is the specific state and national policies that further entrenched “the problem of the color-line” with regard to African Americans and immigrants through the First World War

Which factors best explain nehru''s successes and failures, To which extent...

To which extent did Nehru succeed in achieving his goals? Which factors best explain Nehru's successes and failures?

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