What is required for the Constitution to be amended?

• A. A simple majority in one house of Congress
• B. A two-thirds majority in both houses of Congress and ratification by three-fourths of the states
• C. A unanimous vote by the Supreme Court
• D. A convention called by two-thirds of the states

Answer: (B)

The process for amending the Constitution is delineated in Article V, which stipulates a rigorous procedure to ensure that changes reflect broad consensus. The correct answer outlines that an amendment must receive a two-thirds majority in both houses of Congress, which is the initial step to demonstrate significant legislative support.

Following congressional approval, the amendment must then be ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures or conventions, ensuring further validation from a substantial portion of the states, affirming the amendment has widespread acceptance. This process emphasizes the importance of achieving a strong consensus before any changes can be made to the foundational legal document of the country.

Other choices do not align with the constitutional requirements for amendment and show varying levels of misunderstanding of the amendment process. A simple majority in one house of Congress would not be sufficient to reflect the necessary national agreement. A unanimous vote by the Supreme Court is not a requirement for amendments; in fact, the Supreme Court does not play a role in the amendment process itself. Lastly, while calling a convention by two-thirds of the states is an option provided for amending the Constitution, it has never been used, making legislative approval and state ratification the standard method.