Political vocabulary & government processes · Article 10 of 20 · United States
Amendment
A formal change to proposed or existing text.
What the term means
An amendment changes the language of a proposal. Lawmakers may offer amendments in committee or on the floor under procedural rules. A constitutional amendment is a different and much more demanding legal process.
How it works in practice
A seemingly small wording change can alter eligibility, enforcement or cost. The legal effect depends on the exact text that is adopted.
A concrete example
Changing “may” to “shall” in a provision can transform an agency’s discretion into a duty, depending on the surrounding law.
What to examine next
Compare the before-and-after text and identify who must act differently if the amendment passes.
Next: Filibuster.