Who can initiate a motion to amend the Constitution?
Asked by: Kelli Berge | Last update: February 6, 2026Score: 4.4/5 (71 votes)
Only the U.S. Congress (via a two-thirds vote in both chambers) or a national convention called by two-thirds of state legislatures can propose constitutional amendments; individual citizens or groups initiate ideas, but the formal proposal power rests with these federal bodies or state legislatures, leading to ratification by three-fourths of states.
Who can initiate an amendment to the constitution?
An amendment of the Constitution can be initiated only by the introduction of a Bill in either House of Parliament. The Bill must then be passed in each House by a majority of the total membership of that House and by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members of that House present and voting.
Who can start the process of amending the Constitution?
Congress may submit a proposed constitutional amendment to the states, if the proposed amendment language is approved by a two-thirds vote of both houses. Congress must call a convention for proposing amendments upon application of the legislatures of two-thirds of the states (i.e., 34 of 50 states).
Who has the ability to amend the Constitution?
The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as ...
Who has the authority to amend?
🏛️ Amending Body
In most cases, Parliament has the sole authority to amend the Constitution. However, in some special cases, an amendment passed by Parliament has to be ratified by at least half State Legislative Assemblies.
Why is the US Constitution so hard to amend? - Peter Paccone
What are the requirements to amend the Constitution?
The amendment process is very difficult and time consuming: A proposed amendment must be passed by two-thirds of both houses of Congress, then ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the states. The ERA Amendment did not pass the necessary majority of state legislatures in the 1980s.
Who has the competent authority to amend changes in the policy?
The correct answer is Parliament. The Parliament is competent to amend the Fundamental Rights of the citizens in India. But this amendment should be done in such a way that it doesn't affect the Basic Structure of the Constitution.
Does the president have a say in amending the Constitution?
The Congress proposes an amendment in the form of a joint resolution. Since the President does not have a constitutional role in the amendment process, the joint resolution does not go to the White House for signature or approval.
Who can amend or revise the Constitution?
1 that any amendment to, or revision of, this Constitution may be proposed by: 1) The Congress, upon a vote of three-fourths (3/4) of all its Members; or 2) A constitutional convention; WHEREAS, Article XVII Sec.
Can a president bypass the Constitution?
The U.S. Supreme Court has held that all executive orders from the president of the United States must be supported by the Constitution, whether from a clause granting specific power, or by Congress delegating such to the executive branch.
What are the 4 ways to formally amend the Constitution?
There are, therefore, four methods of amending the Constitution under Article V: first, proposal by two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress and ratification by the legislatures of three-fourths of the states; second, proposal by two-thirds vote in bo th houses of Congress and ratification by conventions in three- ...
What is the 13th amendment about?
Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
How long does amendment take?
You can check the status of an amended return around 3 weeks after you submit it. You should generally allow 8 to 12 weeks for your Form 1040-X to be processed. However, in some cases, processing could take up to 16 weeks.
Can someone change their Constitution?
Article 368 in Part XX of the Constitution deals with the power of parliament to amend the constitution and its procedures. It states that the Parliament may amend the Constitution by way of addition, variation or repeal of any provision in accordance with the procedure laid down for the purpose.
What are the three methods of amending the Constitution?
There are three ways in which the Constitution can be changed:
- Amendment with a simple majority of the Parliament.
- Amendment with a special majority of the Parliament.
- Amendment with a special majority of the Parliament and the approval of at least half of the state legislatures.
What is the 101 amendment about?
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
Who has the power to amend a Constitution?
art. V ( The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments. . .. ).
Who is the authority to amend the Constitution?
(1) Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution, Parliament may in exercise of its constituent power amend by way of addition, variation or repeal any provision of this Constitution in accordance with the procedure laid down in this article.
Who can amend a Constitution?
Amendments can be introduced in either the Senate or the House of Representatives, and must be agreed to by both.
What are 5 things the President can't do?
The U.S. President cannot make laws, declare war, decide how federal money is spent, interpret laws, or appoint key officials like Cabinet members or Supreme Court Justices without Senate approval, highlighting constitutional limits on executive power through checks and balances with Congress.
How many times has the US Constitution been modified?
The U.S. Constitution has been amended 27 times, with the first 10 amendments forming the Bill of Rights, ratified in 1791, and the most recent being the 27th Amendment in 1992, which deals with congressional pay. Out of over 11,000 proposed changes, these 27 amendments successfully passed through the rigorous Article V amendment process, reflecting significant changes to American law and society over the centuries.
What is the never used way to add an amendment to the Constitution?
Although the convention method for proposing amendments has never been used, some scholars have speculated that the states may prod Congress into proposing an amendment on a particular matter by applying for an Article V convention on that issue.
What is the 368 amendment?
The general procedure laid down in article 368 is that a Bill for amendment of the Constitution may be introduced in either House of Parliament but it must be passed by a majority of total membership and 2/3rd majority of members present and voting in each of the two Houses and should receive the assent of the ...
What is Article 372 about?
Article 372-A, introduced by the Constitution (7th Amendment) Act, 1956, grants the President the authority to adapt and modify existing laws to align with constitutional amendments made by the Act.
What is the Article 13 doctrine?
Rights and freedom of people get the protection from the arbitary invasions of the state. (1) All laws in force in the territory of India immediately before the commencement of this Constitution, in so far as they are inconsistent with the provisions of this Part, shall, to the extent of such inconsistency, be void.