U.S. Constitution Articles V through VII Explained.
Changing and Ratifying the Constitution
Read On To Learn More.
Article V: How to Amend the Constitution
There are two main ways to propose an amendment. The first way is through Congress: if two-thirds of both the House of Representatives and the Senate agree on a change, they can propose it. The second way involves the states: if two-thirds of state legislatures call for it, Congress must hold a special convention to propose the amendment.
After an amendment is proposed, it must be ratified to become part of the Constitution. This means it has to be approved by three-fourths of the states. Approval can be done either through state legislatures or by special conventions in the states, depending on what Congress decides. However, there are some limits to this process. For instance, no amendment made before 1808 could alter certain clauses related to the slave trade and taxes. Also, no state can lose its equal representation in the Senate without its own consent, ensuring that every state retains equal power in the Senate.
Article VI: The Supremacy Clause and Oaths of Office
The Supremacy Clause, which states that the Constitution, along with federal laws and treaties, is the highest law of the land. This means that if a state law conflicts with federal law, federal law wins. Additionally, everyone involved in government—whether federal or state officials—must swear an oath to support the Constitution. Importantly, no religious test can be required to hold any government office, ensuring that religious beliefs don’t affect eligibility for public service.
Article VII: Ratification of the Constitution
It states that the Constitution would become official once nine states ratified it. This means that to make the Constitution valid and operational, at least nine of the thirteen original states had to agree to it. This article marked the end of the Constitutional Convention and the beginning of the new framework for the U.S. government.
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