What is an amendment?

What is an amendment?

• A. An executive order
• B. A bill passed by Congress
• C. A Supreme Court ruling
• D. A change or addition to the Constitution

Answer: (D)

An amendment is a change or addition to the Constitution’s text. It alters or adds to the framework of the government or to protect rights, not just a new law or order from another branch. The formal process requires broad support: it’s proposed by a large majority in Congress or by a national convention called by the states, and then ratified by three‑fourths of the states. This is how the Constitution evolves, as seen with the Bill of Rights and later amendments that expand rights or adjust governance. By contrast, an executive order is a presidential directive, a bill passed by Congress becomes law but not part of the Constitution itself unless it’s adopted as an amendment, and a Supreme Court ruling interprets the Constitution or laws rather than changing the text.

An amendment is a change or addition to the Constitution’s text. It alters or adds to the framework of the government or to protect rights, not just a new law or order from another branch. The formal process requires broad support: it’s proposed by a large majority in Congress or by a national convention called by the states, and then ratified by three‑fourths of the states. This is how the Constitution evolves, as seen with the Bill of Rights and later amendments that expand rights or adjust governance. By contrast, an executive order is a presidential directive, a bill passed by Congress becomes law but not part of the Constitution itself unless it’s adopted as an amendment, and a Supreme Court ruling interprets the Constitution or laws rather than changing the text.