Who has the authority to amend the Constitution?

The authority to amend the Constitution lies with Congress and the states, which is outlined in Article V of the U.S. Constitution. This article establishes the process for how amendments can be proposed and ratified.

To propose an amendment, it requires a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Alternatively, amendments can also be proposed by a convention called for by two-thirds of the state legislatures. After an amendment is proposed, it must then be ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures or by conventions in three-fourths of the states.

This dual pathway ensures that both federal and state governments play a critical role in the constitutional amendment process, reflecting the balance of power intended by the framers of the Constitution. The requirement for a large consensus rather than a simple majority highlights the seriousness of altering the nation’s foundational legal framework.