Who is responsible for proposing amendments to the Constitution?

The responsibility for proposing amendments to the Constitution lies with Congress or through a constitutional convention called by the states. This dual method for proposing amendments is outlined in Article V of the U.S. Constitution.

Congress can propose an amendment if two-thirds of both the House of Representatives and the Senate agree on the proposal. Alternatively, if two-thirds of state legislatures petition for a constitutional convention, that convention can propose amendments as well. This process ensures that changes to the Constitution can either emerge from the federal legislative branch or through a broader representation of the states, reflecting a balance of power between state and federal governance.

The President and the Supreme Court do not have the authority to propose amendments, as their roles are focused on executing and interpreting laws rather than amending foundational legal documents. Additionally, while state legislatures play a crucial role in the amendment process, they can only engage in proposing amendments through a convention or by ratifying amendments proposed by Congress, rather than solely being responsible for their proposal.