KNOW THE LAW

How Is the Constitution Amended?

It is not easy to amend or change the U.S. Constitution. Any change requires that another amendment be passed. The new amendment must be proposed and passed by a two-thirds vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Alternatively, if two-thirds of the state legislatures ask Congress to call for a Constitutional Convention, then the proposed amendment must be brought to a vote and ratified by three-fourths of the states. This option has never been used; all 27 Amendments were added by Congress.

Learn more at:

https://www.ncsl.org/about-state-legislatures/amending-the-us-constitution

WHY DOES THIS MATTER?

The current executive branch is attempting to significantly modify the citizenship clause of 14th amendment of the Constitution. Modifying any provision of the Constitution cannot be accomplished by an Executive Order. Modification of the Constitution, including the existing amendments, may only be accomplished by either a Constitutional Convention or legislation passed by Congress and then ratified by three-quarters of the states.

Link to more civics topics: http://lwvsonoma.org/CivicsMenu