Who has the authority to amend the Constitution?

The authority to amend the Constitution is vested in both Congress and the states. This process is outlined in Article V of the Constitution, which specifies two methods for proposing amendments. It can be initiated either by a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate or by a convention called for by two-thirds of state legislatures.

Once proposed, an amendment must then be ratified. This ratification can occur through the approval of three-fourths of state legislatures or by conventions in three-fourths of the states. This dual requirement ensures that amendments to the Constitution reflect a broad consensus and are not enacted unilaterally by a single branch of government. The involvement of both Congress and the states in this process highlights the federal nature of the United States government, emphasizing the balance of power between national and state authorities in significant constitutional changes.