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| − | [[Assfly will be annoyed by Vandals!]] | + | 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. |
| | + | *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. |
| | + | *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== |
| | + | <references/> |
| | + | [[Category:United States Government Word Definitions]] |
| | + | [[Category:United States Senate Terms]] |