[19970930]97-922GOV_批准美国宪法修正案.pdf

Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS Web97-922 GOVSeptember 30, 1997Ratification of Amendments to the U.S. ConstitutionDavid C. HuckabeeSpecialist in American National GovernmentGovernment DivisionSummaryArticle V of the U.S. Constitution provides two ways to propose amendments tothe document and two ways to ratify them. Amendments may be proposed either by theCongress, by two-thirds votes of the House and the Senate (of those present and voting,provided a quorum is present), or by a convention called by Congress in response toapplications from the legislatures of two-thirds (34) or more of the states.Amendments must be ratified by three-quarters (38) or more of the states. TheCongress can choose to refer proposed amendments either to state legislatures, or tospecial conventions called in the states to consider ratification. Only the 21stAmendment (repeal of Prohibition) has been ratified by conventions held in the states.In the period beginning with the First Congress, through September 30, 1997 (105thCongress, 1 Session), a total of 10,980 proposals had been introduced to amend thestConstitution. Thirty-three of the