Ms.

Figario
Government

AP US

Failed Amendments Assignment:

We know that 27 amendments have been added to the
Constitution over the years. Far more amendments have been
proposed, and have failed to make it through the process of being
added to the Constitution. Some were outright rejected, while others
are listed as pending, remaining in law limbo until it gets the chance
to be considered again. Choose one of the amendments listed far
below that failed and write an essay including the following
information:
Describe the proposed amendment and what it would do.
When was the amendment proposed?
Why was the amendment proposed? Why did some individuals
believe there was a need for such an amendment at that time?
Why has this amendment not yet passed? (consider details such
as the year it was proposed)
Why should this amendment pass today? Given the changing
times, do you think this amendment would have a chance at
passing today if it were proposed again? (Provide evidence! This
is a major part of the assignment)
Amendments that have been proposed but not yet passed include:

Titles of Nobility Amendment (pending since May 1, 1810; ratified

by 12 states) Would strip citizenship from any United States citizen
who accepts a title of nobility from a foreign country.

Child Labor Amendment (pending since June 2, 1924; ratified by

28 states) Would empower the federal government to regulate child
labor.

Equal Rights Amendment (Ratification period, March 22, 1972 to

March 22, 1979/June 30, 1982, amendment failed (); ratified by 35
states) Would have prohibited deprivation of equality of rights
(discrimination) by the federal or state governments on account of
sex.

District of Columbia Voting Rights Amendment (Ratification

period, August 22, 1978 to August 22, 1985, Amendment failed();
ratified by 16 states) Would have granted the District of
Columbia full representation in the United States Congress as if it
were a state, repealed the 23rd Amendment and granted the
District full representation in the Electoral College system in
addition to full participation in the process by which the Constitution
is amended.

Anti-Polygamy Amendment, proposed by

Representative Frederick Gillett, a Massachusetts Republican, on
January 24, 1914, and supported by former U.S. Senator from Utah
and anti-Mormon activist, Frank J. Cannon, and by the National
Reform Association.[6]

Death Penalty Abolition Amendment was proposed in 1990,

1992, 1993, and 1995 by Representative Henry Gonzlez to prohibit
the imposition of capital punishment "by any State, Territory, or
other jurisdiction within the United States". The amendment was
referred to the House Subcommittee on the Constitution, but never
made it out of committee.

School Prayer Amendment proposed on April 9, 2003, to

establish that "The people retain the right to pray and to recognize
their religious beliefs, heritage, and traditions on public property,
including schools."

Every Vote Counts Amendment proposed by

Congressman Gene Green on September 14, 2004. It would abolish
the electoral college.

Equal Opportunity to Govern Amendment proposed by

Senator Orrin Hatch. It would allow naturalized citizens with at least
twenty years' citizenship to become president.

Twenty-second Amendment repeal proposed as early as 1989,

various congressmen, including Rep. Barney Frank, Rep. Steny
Hoyer, Rep. Jos Serrano,[14]Rep. Howard Berman, and Sen. Harry
Reid,[15] have introduced legislation, but each resolution died before

making it out of its respective committee. The current amendment

limits the president to two elected terms in office, and up to two
years succeeding a President in office. Last action was On January
4, 2013, Rep. Jos Serrano once again introduced H.J.Res. 15
proposing an Amendment to repeal the 22nd Amendment, as he
has done every two years since 1997.[16]

On January 16, 2009, Senator David Vitter of Louisiana proposed

an amendment which would have denied US citizenship to anyone
born in the US unless at least one parent were a US citizen, a
permanent resident, or in the armed forces.

On November 11, 2009, Senator Jim DeMint proposed term

limits for the U.S. Congress, where the limit for senators will be two
terms for a total of 12 years and for representatives, three terms for
a total of six years.[19]

You must choose an amendment by Wednesday, November 18th in

Ms. Figarios class. If you find another amendment that you want to
write about that is not listed here, it must be approved by Ms. Figario
prior to Nov. 18th.
Keep in mind that amendments are not just any law, they are added
to the US Constitution and must be passed through a special process.
This makes them difficult, and rare, to pass. Make sure that the
amendment you choose is one worth fighting for!