How can a constitutional amendment be proposed?

• A. By a simple majority in Congress
• B. By a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress or by a constitutional convention called for by two-thirds of state legislatures
• C. By a majority vote from state legislatures
• D. By a national referendum

Answer: (B)

A constitutional amendment can be proposed in two specific ways as outlined in Article V of the U.S. Constitution. The first method is through a two-thirds vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. This high threshold underscores the importance of broad consensus among the legislators to change such a foundational document. The second method involves a constitutional convention that is called for by two-thirds of state legislatures, which is less common but provides a pathway for states to initiate an amendment process independently of Congress.

This dual approach allows for both federal legislative action and state-driven initiatives, reflecting the Constitution's intent to balance power between the states and the federal government. The other options do not accurately describe the amendment process as established in the Constitution, making this answer the most appropriate one.