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The Constitution of the United States of America
Article V
Introduction:
Article V of the U.S. Constitution outlines the process for amending the Constitution. It specifies that amendments can be proposed either by a two-thirds majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate or by a convention called for by two-thirds of state legislatures. Once proposed, an amendment must be ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures or by conventions in three-fourths of the states. This process ensures that changes to the Constitution require broad consensus, reflecting the foundational principle of federalism and the need for stability in governance.
Actual Text:
“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 Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate. ”
