Which of the following describes a pathway to amend the U.S. Constitution?

• A. Proposal by two-thirds of both houses of Congress; ratification by three-fourths of the states.
• B. A simple majority vote in Congress and a presidential signature.
• C. A Supreme Court ruling granting amendment authority.
• D. A federal referendum in all states with a majority vote.

Answer: (A)

Amending the Constitution requires broad, deliberate consensus and follows a two-stage process outlined in Article V: an amendment is proposed by two-thirds of both houses of Congress (or by a national convention called for by two-thirds of the states) and then must be ratified by three-fourths of the states (either through state legislatures or by ratifying conventions). The President has no formal role in proposing or ratifying amendments, and a simple majority in Congress with a presidential signature does not create an amendment. A Supreme Court ruling also cannot grant amendment authority, and there is no nationwide referendum for amendments. This approach—proposal by two-thirds and ratification by three-fourths—best fits how constitutional changes are legitimately made, explaining why it’s the correct description. For context, many amendments have followed this path, underscoring why the process emphasizes broad, cross-state agreement.