
Duy L.
asked 09/17/17What the 28th amendment should be?
1 Expert Answer
As of now, there is no official 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The Constitution has 27 ratified amendments, and although many proposals have circulated over the years, none has achieved the necessary two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate and ratification by three-fourths of the states to become the 28th. What the 28th Amendment “should be” is therefore a matter of debate and personal or political preference. Over time, various interest groups, politicians, and citizens have suggested potential amendments that reflect their priorities. Some commonly discussed ideas include:
- Equal Rights Amendment (ERA):
- Originally proposed in the early 20th century, the ERA aims to guarantee equal rights for all citizens regardless of sex. Although it has come close to ratification in recent decades, it has not yet cleared all constitutional hurdles. Some argue the ERA should be reintroduced or clarified as the 28th Amendment to enshrine gender equality definitively.
- Campaign Finance Reform:
- In the wake of Supreme Court decisions like Citizens United v. FEC (2010), many have proposed a constitutional amendment to limit money’s influence in politics. Such an amendment might set strict rules for campaign contributions and independent expenditures, thereby aiming to reduce the power of wealthy donors and special-interest groups.
- Term Limits for Congress:
- Advocates of this approach believe that limiting the number of terms senators and representatives can serve might prevent entrenched political dynasties, reduce corruption, and encourage fresh ideas. A 28th Amendment could, for example, set a maximum number of years any individual could serve in the House or Senate.
- Balanced Budget Requirement:
- Some have called for a constitutional amendment requiring the federal government to balance its budget each fiscal year unless a supermajority of Congress votes to allow deficit spending. Proponents argue this would impose fiscal discipline and reduce the national debt, while opponents warn it could limit economic flexibility in times of crisis.
- A Right to Privacy or Data Protection:
- As technology advances, some suggest enshrining a clear constitutional right to personal privacy or data protection. This amendment might define how the government and private entities can collect, store, and use personal information in the digital age, strengthening privacy protections that current constitutional interpretations may not fully address.
- Clarifying Voting Rights:
- With ongoing debates about voter ID laws, early voting, redistricting, and disenfranchisement, another frequently proposed amendment would explicitly guarantee the right to vote, standardize election procedures, and provide firm legal ground against efforts to suppress voter turnout.
In essence, the “ideal” 28th Amendment depends on one’s values, priorities, and interpretation of America’s democratic principles. Since the U.S. amendment process is intentionally difficult—requiring broad national consensus—achieving a 28th Amendment would likely focus on an issue that resonates widely across partisan and ideological lines.
Still looking for help? Get the right answer, fast.
Get a free answer to a quick problem.
Most questions answered within 4 hours.
OR
Choose an expert and meet online. No packages or subscriptions, pay only for the time you need.
Tim C.
09/17/17