[[You'll have to lock the database permanently to stop me, admins!]]
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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.
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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]]