What is an amendment?

What is an amendment?

• A. A complete rewrite of the Constitution
• B. A change or addition to the Constitution
• C. A law passed by Congress
• D. A Supreme Court decision

Answer: (B)

An amendment refers specifically to a change or addition to the Constitution. This is a critical concept in understanding how the Constitution can evolve over time to address new circumstances or reflect societal changes. The process for amending the Constitution is outlined in Article V, ensuring that any significant changes require substantial consensus among both state and federal levels of government. In contrast to a complete rewrite of the Constitution or other legal mechanisms, an amendment retains the original framework while allowing for specific alterations or new provisions that expand or clarify the law. This systematic approach to amendments maintains the foundational principles of the Constitution while providing a means to adapt to contemporary needs. The other options represent different concepts: a complete rewrite implies an overhaul rather than a modification, a law passed by Congress pertains to statutory law rather than constitutional change, and a Supreme Court decision interprets the Constitution but does not amend it directly.

An amendment refers specifically to a change or addition to the Constitution. This is a critical concept in understanding how the Constitution can evolve over time to address new circumstances or reflect societal changes. The process for amending the Constitution is outlined in Article V, ensuring that any significant changes require substantial consensus among both state and federal levels of government.

In contrast to a complete rewrite of the Constitution or other legal mechanisms, an amendment retains the original framework while allowing for specific alterations or new provisions that expand or clarify the law. This systematic approach to amendments maintains the foundational principles of the Constitution while providing a means to adapt to contemporary needs. The other options represent different concepts: a complete rewrite implies an overhaul rather than a modification, a law passed by Congress pertains to statutory law rather than constitutional change, and a Supreme Court decision interprets the Constitution but does not amend it directly.