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Article V And The Proposed Federal Constitutional Convention Procedures Bills, Kenneth F. Ripple

Journal Articles

Article V of the United States Constitution sets forth the respective powers of the states and Congress in the amendment process. At first blush, the amendment process outlined in article V appears uncomplicated and straightforward. Congress can propose amendments and determine whether ratification will be accomplished by state legislatures or state conventions. Three-fourths of the state legislatures or state conventions must ratify a proposed amendment before it becomes part of the Constitution. The history of the amendment process confirms the apparent simplicity of that provision of article V which empowers Congress to propose amendments. To date, all twenty-six amendments have …