The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress...."

Question

—United States Constitution, Article V
Question
Use the excerpt to answer the question.

Which of the following best summarizes this excerpt?

(1 point)
Responses

Alterations to the Constitution must be deemed necessary and proposed by the House of Representatives.

Each state legislature may choose between either mode of ratification to ratify a proposed amendment.

New additions to the Constitution can be proposed with backing from a congressional majority.

The intent of Article V is to provide the legislative branch with the power of ratification.

Answer 1

The best summary of the excerpt is:

New additions to the Constitution can be proposed with backing from a congressional majority.

This response captures the core idea that amendments can be proposed either by a two-thirds majority in Congress or by two-thirds of state legislatures, reflecting the necessary support for proposing amendments to the Constitution.