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| − | An '''Amendment''' is a proposal to alter the text of a pending [[bill]] or other [[measure]] by striking out some of it, by inserting new language, or both.
| + | [[You'll have to lock the database permanently to stop me, admins!]] |
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| − | In the United States, before an amendment becomes part of the measure, the [[United States Senate|Senate]] must agree to it.<ref>[http://www.senate.gov/reference/glossary_term/amendment.htm] US Senate Reference</ref>
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| − | An Amendment can be proposed in two ways:
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| − | *Both houses of Congress must vote for it with a two thirds majority.
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| − | *Two-thirds of the state legislatures may ask [[Congress]] to call a national convention on account of their proposed amendment.
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| − | The second method has never been used.
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| − | An Amendment can be ratified in two ways:
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| − | *Three-fourths of the state legislatures vote in approval of the amendment.
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| − | *Conventions in three-fourths of the states ratify the amendment.
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| − | Twelve constitutional amendments were proposed at the first Congress in 1789. The first ten amendments were ratified within two years, and became the [[Bill of Rights]].<ref>U.S Government and Politics</ref>
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| − | ==References==
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| − | <references/>
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| − | [[Category:United States Government Word Definitions]]
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| − | [[Category:United States Senate Terms]]
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