46 CHAPTER 2|THE CONSTITUTION AND THE FOUNDING
Many proposed constitutional amendments have almost no chance of passing.
Indeed, most of those listed here did not even make it to the fl oor of the House
or Senate for a vote. Why do you think a member of Congress would propose an
amendment that he or she knew would fail?112th Congress
(2011–12)Amend the First Amendment to allow limitations on federal campaign
contribution and expenditures.
Protect the right of parents to raise and educate their children without
interference from government.
Require that the federal budget is balanced.
111th Congress
(2009–10)Abolish the electoral college and provide for the direct election of the
president and vice president.
Provide a high-quality education to all citizens of the United States.
Repeal the Sixteenth Amendment (prohibit an income tax).
110th Congress
(2007–08)Repeal the Twenty-Second Amendment (abolish term limits for the president).
Provide the right to a clean, safe, and sustainable environment for all persons.
Permit voluntary school prayer.
Impose 12-year term limits for the House and Senate.
109th Congress
(2005–06)Make the fi libuster in the Senate a part of the Constitution.
Provide for continuity of government in case of a catastrophic event.
Prohibit desecration of the U.S. fl ag.
108th Congress
(2003–04)Include use of the word “God” in the Pledge of Allegiance and the national
motto as protected speech.
Defi ne marriage in all states as a union between a man and a woman.
Prohibit courts from protecting child pornography.Source: The U.S. Constitution Online: Some Proposed Amendments, http://www.usconstitution.net/
constamprop.html (accessed 3/22/12); http://thomas.loc.gov (accessed 3/22/12).AMENDMENTS INTRODUCED IN CONGRESS THAT DID NOT PASS
TABLETABLE » »^ 2.15.1
Flexibility and Interpretation
The Constitution also remains relevant because it allows for some f lexibility
in how it is interpreted. First, some parts of the Constitution are simply ignored
today because they have no meaning in a modern context. For example, Article I,
Section 4, says that “Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year,” but the
modern Congress is in session throughout the year (with various recesses). Nobody
pays attention to this passage anymore because it simply does not matter.AMBIGUITY
A more important characteristic of the Constitution that has kept the document rel-
evant is its ambiguity. Key passages were written in very general language, which has
enabled the Constitution to evolve along with changing norms, values, and political