What is the term for a change or addition to the Constitution?

Prepare for the USCIS Basic – Block 3 Exam. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions with detailed explanations. Ensure success for your test!

The term that refers to a change or addition to the Constitution is an amendment. An amendment modifies the original text of the Constitution, allowing for alterations to be made to its established principles and regulations.

For example, the Bill of Rights consists of the first ten amendments to the Constitution, which were added to protect individual freedoms and rights. The amendment process is outlined in Article V of the Constitution, which establishes the procedures necessary for proposing and ratifying changes, highlighting the importance of this process in ensuring the document remains relevant as society evolves.

In contrast, a clause refers to a specific provision or section within the broader text of the Constitution, rather than a modification to it. A bill is a proposed piece of legislation that has not yet been enacted into law, while an article refers to the distinct sections within the Constitution that outline the structure of government and various powers. Each of these terms has its unique significance, but only "amendment" specifically denotes the process of formally altering the Constitution itself.

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