How are amendments proposed and ratified?

How are amendments proposed and ratified?

• A. Proposed by a simple majority in Congress; ratified by a simple majority of states.
• B. Proposed by two-thirds vote in Congress or by a national convention called by two-thirds of the states; ratified by three-fourths of the states.
• C. Proposed by the President; ratified by a national referendum.
• D. Proposed by the Supreme Court; ratified by the states' governors.

Answer: (B)

Amendments are created through a two-stage process of broad consensus. First, an amendment is proposed either by a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress or by a national convention called by two-thirds of the states. Then, to become law, it must be ratified by three-fourths of the states, which can occur either through state legislatures or through state ratifying conventions, depending on what Congress specifies. The President does not propose amendments, and the Supreme Court does not ratify them. In practice, all amendments have been proposed by Congress, and most have been ratified by state legislatures (one was ratified by conventions). This is why the described option best reflects how amendments are actually proposed and ratified.

Amendments are created through a two-stage process of broad consensus. First, an amendment is proposed either by a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress or by a national convention called by two-thirds of the states. Then, to become law, it must be ratified by three-fourths of the states, which can occur either through state legislatures or through state ratifying conventions, depending on what Congress specifies. The President does not propose amendments, and the Supreme Court does not ratify them. In practice, all amendments have been proposed by Congress, and most have been ratified by state legislatures (one was ratified by conventions). This is why the described option best reflects how amendments are actually proposed and ratified.