Civil Service Practice Exam 2025 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

An amendment is defined as a formal change or addition to the Constitution. This concept is essential to understanding how the Constitution can evolve over time to meet the changing needs and values of society. The amendment process allows for the legal framework of the country to be updated or refined in a structured manner, ensuring that significant changes reflect the will of the people and their representatives.

This understanding of an amendment highlights its importance in the democratic process, providing a mechanism for citizens and lawmakers to address issues that may not have been considered when the original document was drafted. The process of amending the Constitution is intentionally rigorous, requiring approval by two-thirds of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, as well as ratification by three-fourths of the states. This high threshold ensures that only amendments with widespread support become part of the Constitution.

In contrast, a law passed by Congress refers to legislation that does not change the Constitution itself but operates within its existing framework. A Supreme Court ruling can interpret the Constitution but is not considered an amendment, as it does not involve changing the text of the Constitution. Lastly, a suggestion for a new law is simply a proposal and does not carry the same weight or formal process as an amendment to the Constitution.