 The Congress proposes an amendment in
the form of a joint resolution (House of
Representatives and Senate)
 Since the President does not have a
constitutional role in the amendment
process, the joint resolution does not go
to the White House for signature or
approval.

The Constitution provides that an
amendment may be proposed either by:
the Congress with a two-thirds majority
vote in both the House of Representatives
and the Senate or
 by a constitutional convention called for by
two-thirds of the State legislatures.

 NOTE: None of the 27 amendments to the
Constitution have been proposed by
constitutional convention.



The Archivist submits the proposed
amendment to the States for their
consideration
The Archivist sends a letter of
notification to each Governor the
informational material.
The Governors then formally submit the
amendment to their State legislatures.

A proposed amendment becomes part of the
Constitution as soon as it is ratified by threefourths of the States (38 of 50 States).





The abolition of slavery was another issue still unsettled
in 1864. President Lincoln’s Emancipation
Proclamation was an emergency war measure that did
not permanently and comprehensively end slavery.
To achieve that end the Senate passed a resolution
proposing a constitutional amendment abolishing
slavery on April 8, 1864.
The House did not pass the amendment until January
31, 1865, and then by only one vote.
After the necessary three-fourths of the states agreed,
the amendment took effect on December 18, 1865.
Passed by Congress January 31, 1865. Ratified
December 6, 1865.

Passed by Congress June 13, 1866. Ratified July 9,
1868.

Passed by Congress February 26, 1869. Ratified
February 3, 1870.