What is an amendment?

An amendment refers specifically to a change or addition made to the Constitution. This process allows for the Constitution to evolve over time, reflecting the changing needs and values of society. Amendments can introduce new provisions, alter existing ones, or repeal previous amendments, ensuring that the Constitution remains relevant.

In the context of the Constitution, amendments are carefully crafted and must go through a rigorous process of proposal and ratification, making them significant legal changes. This contrasts with a complete rewrite of the Constitution, which is not what an amendment entails; amendments are targeted changes rather than comprehensive overhauls. Similarly, while laws passed by Congress are important, they do not alter the Constitution directly. Executive orders are directives issued by the President that manage operations of the federal government but do not have the same constitutional weight as amendments. Therefore, the definition of an amendment clearly aligns with the notion of it being a change or addition to the Constitution.