Existing comment:
Amend Everything?
Is there any part of the Constitution that is off limits to amendments?
Yes. Article V specifies two parts of the Constitution that cannot be changed by amendment:
* Prohibition of the importation of slaves before 1808
* Equal representation of states in the Senate
These two restrictions were included to protect two of the great compromises the Founders made while crafting the Constitution. The free and slave states had agreed to not legislate on the slave trade for 20 years, and the big and small states had agreed that the Senate would represent each state equally, regardless of population.
The Convention Method:
The convention method for proposing amendments has never been used. The Constitution is vague on how such a convention would work. Congress has received convention applications from the states on many topics, including direct election of Senators and balancing the budget.
The convention method for ratifying amendments has been used one time -- to ratify the 21st Amendment that repealed Prohibition. |