What is required for a constitutional amendment to be ratified?

The requirement for a constitutional amendment to be ratified is indeed that it must receive approval by two-thirds of Congress and three-fourths of the states. This process is outlined in Article V of the U.S. Constitution, which establishes the necessary steps for amending the Constitution.

First, an amendment can be proposed by either a two-thirds vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate or by a national convention called for by two-thirds of the state legislatures. Once proposed, the amendment then needs to be ratified, which requires the approval of three-fourths of the state legislatures (or by conventions in three-fourths of the states, if that method is chosen). This rigorous process ensures that only amendments with substantial support across the political spectrum and among states are adopted, reflecting the democratic principle of broad consensus.

The other options do not accurately capture the requirements set forth in the Constitution. A simple majority in Congress does not suffice, nor does a presidential decision or approval by the Supreme Court play any role in the amendment process. The framers of the Constitution designed this process to maintain a balance between federal and state powers while ensuring that amendments are not made lightly.