What is an amendment?

An amendment refers specifically to a change or an addition to the Constitution. In the context of the U.S. Constitution, amendments are formal alterations that have been ratified through a specific process. This process typically involves proposal by either a two-thirds majority in both houses of Congress or by a convention called by two-thirds of state legislatures, followed by ratification by three-fourths of the state legislatures or by conventions in three-fourths of the states.

Understanding amendments is crucial because they play a significant role in shaping the constitutional framework and affirming citizens' rights. For instance, the Bill of Rights consists of the first ten amendments, which outline fundamental liberties such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press.

Other definitions are distinct; a new section added to a law might refer to legislative changes at a state or federal level rather than to the Constitution itself. Government regulations pertain to rules issued by government agencies to carry out laws, while a presidential decree is an executive order that has specific implications for governance but does not qualify as an amendment to the Constitution.Thus, the focus on the constitutional changes makes the correct choice clear.