The Constitution of The United
States of America
We the people of the United States, in order to form
a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic
tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote
the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty
to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish
this Constitution for the United States of America.
Article I
Section 1.
All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested
in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist
of a Senate and House of Representatives.
Section 2.
The House of Representatives shall be composed of
members chosen every second year by the people of
the several states, and the electors in each state
shall have the qualifications requisite for electors
of the most numerous branch of the state legislature.
No person shall be a Representative who shall not
have attained to the age of twenty five years, and
been seven years a citizen of the United States, and
who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that
state in which he shall be chosen.
Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned
among the several states which may be included within
this union, according to their respective numbers,
which shall be determined by adding to the whole number
of free persons, including those bound to service
for a term of years, and excluding Indians not taxed,
three fifths of all other Persons. The actual Enumeration
shall be made within three years after the first meeting
of the Congress of the United States, and within every
subsequent term of ten years, in such manner as they
shall by law direct. The number of Representatives
shall not exceed one for every thirty thousand, but
each state shall have at least one Representative;
and until such enumeration shall be made, the state
of New Hampshire shall be entitled to chuse three,
Massachusetts eight, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
one, Connecticut five, New York six, New Jersey four,
Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia
ten, North Carolina five, South Carolina five, and
Georgia three.
When vacancies happen in the Representation from
any state, the executive authority thereof shall issue
writs of election to fill such vacancies.
The House of Representatives shall choose their speaker
and other officers; and shall have the sole power
of impeachment.
Section 3.
The Senate of the United States shall be composed
of two Senators from each state, chosen by the legislature
thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have
one vote.
Immediately after they shall be assembled in consequence
of the first election, they shall be divided as equally
as may be into three classes. The seats of the Senators
of the first class shall be vacated at the expiration
of the second year, of the second class at the expiration
of the fourth year, and the third class at the expiration
of the sixth year, so that one third may be chosen
every second year; and if vacancies happen by resignation,
or otherwise, during the recess of the legislature
of any state, the executive thereof may make temporary
appointments until the next meeting of the legislature,
which shall then fill such vacancies.
No person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained
to the age of thirty years, and been nine years a
citizen of the United States and who shall not, when
elected, be an inhabitant of that state for which
he shall be chosen.
The Vice President of the United States shall be
President of the Senate, but shall have no vote, unless
they be equally divided.
The Senate shall choose their other officers, and
also a President pro tempore, in the absence of the
Vice President, or when he shall exercise the office
of President of the United States.
The Senate shall have the sole power to try all impeachments.
When sitting for that purpose, they shall be on oath
or affirmation. When the President of the United States
is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no
person shall be convicted without the concurrence
of two thirds of the members present.
Judgment in cases of impeachment shall not extend
further than to removal from office, and disqualification
to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust or profit
under the United States: but the party convicted shall
nevertheless be liable and subject to indictment,
trial, judgment and punishment, according to law.
Section 4.
The times, places and manner of holding elections
for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed
in each state by the legislature thereof; but the
Congress may at any time by law make or alter such
regulations, except as to the places of choosing Senators.
The Congress shall assemble at least once in every
year, and such meeting shall be on the first Monday
in December, unless they shall by law appoint a different
day.
Section 5.
Each House shall be the judge of the elections, returns
and qualifications of its own members, and a majority
of each shall constitute a quorum to do business;
but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day,
and may be authorized to compel the attendance of
absent members, in such manner, and under such penalties
as each House may provide.
Each House may determine the rules of its proceedings,
punish its members for disorderly behavior, and, with
the concurrence of two thirds, expel a member.
Each House shall keep a journal of its proceedings,
and from time to time publish the same, excepting
such parts as may in their judgment require secrecy;
and the yeas and nays of the members of either House
on any question shall, at the desire of one fifth
of those present, be entered on the journal.
Neither House, during the session of Congress, shall,
without the consent of the other, adjourn for more
than three days, nor to any other place than that
in which the two Houses shall be sitting.
Section 6.
The Senators and Representatives shall receive a compensation
for their services, to be ascertained by law, and
paid out of the treasury of the United States. They
shall in all cases, except treason, felony and breach
of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their
attendance at the session of their respective Houses,
and in going to and returning from the same; and for
any speech or debate in either House, they shall not
be questioned in any other place.
No Senator or Representative shall, during the time
for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil
office under the authority of the United States, which
shall have been created, or the emoluments whereof
shall have been increased during such time: and no
person holding any office under the United States,
shall be a member of either House during his continuance
in office.
Section 7.
All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the
House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose
or concur with amendments as on other Bills.
Every bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives
and the Senate, shall, before it become a law, be
presented to the President of the United States; if
he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return
it, with his objections to that House in which it
shall have originated, who shall enter the objections
at large on their journal, and proceed to reconsider
it. If after such reconsideration two thirds of that
House shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent,
together with the objections, to the other House,
by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if
approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become
a law. But in all such cases the votes of both Houses
shall be determined by yeas and nays, and the names
of the persons voting for and against the bill shall
be entered on the journal of each House respectively.
If any bill shall not be returned by the President
within ten days (Sundays excepted) after it shall
have been presented to him, the same shall be a law,
in like manner as if he had signed it, unless the
Congress by their adjournment prevent its return,
in which case it shall not be a law.
Every order, resolution, or vote to which the concurrence
of the Senate and House of Representatives may be
necessary (except on a question of adjournment) shall
be presented to the President of the United States;
and before the same shall take effect, shall be approved
by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed
by two thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives,
according to the rules and limitations prescribed
in the case of a bill.
Section 8.
The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes,
duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and
provide for the common defense and general welfare
of the United States; but all duties, imposts and
excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;
To borrow money on the credit of the United States;
To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among
the several states, and with the Indian tribes;
To establish a uniform rule of naturalization, and
uniform laws on the subject of bankruptcies throughout
the United States;
To coin money, regulate the value thereof, and of
foreign coin, and fix the standard of weights and
measures;
To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the
securities and current coin of the United States;
To establish post offices and post roads;
To promote the progress of science and useful arts,
by securing for limited times to authors and inventors
the exclusive right to their respective writings and
discoveries;
To constitute tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court;
To define and punish piracies and felonies committed
on the high seas, and offenses against the law of
nations;
To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal,
and make rules concerning captures on land and water;
To raise and support armies, but no appropriation
of money to that use shall be for a longer term than
two years;
To provide and maintain a navy;
To make rules for the government and regulation of
the land and naval forces;
To provide for calling forth the militia to execute
the laws of the union, suppress insurrections and
repel invasions;
To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining,
the militia, and for governing such part of them as
may be employed in the service of the United States,
reserving to the states respectively, the appointment
of the officers, and the authority of training the
militia according to the discipline prescribed by
Congress;
To exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever,
over such District (not exceeding ten miles square)
as may, by cession of particular states, and the acceptance
of Congress, become the seat of the government of
the United States, and to exercise like authority
over all places purchased by the consent of the legislature
of the state in which the same shall be, for the erection
of forts, magazines, arsenals, dockyards, and other
needful buildings;--And
To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper
for carrying into execution the foregoing powers,
and all other powers vested by this Constitution in
the government of the United States, or in any department
or officer thereof.
Section 9.
The migration or importation of such persons as any
of the states now existing shall think proper to admit,
shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the
year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a tax
or duty may be imposed on such importation, not exceeding
ten dollars for each person.
The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall
not be suspended, unless when in cases of rebellion
or invasion the public safety may require it.
No bill of attainder or ex post facto Law shall be
passed.
No capitation, or other direct, tax shall be laid,
unless in proportion to the census or enumeration
herein before directed to be taken.
No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported
from any state.
No preference shall be given by any regulation of
commerce or revenue to the ports of one state over
those of another: nor shall vessels bound to, or from,
one state, be obliged to enter, clear or pay duties
in another.
No money shall be drawn from the treasury, but in
consequence of appropriations made by law; and a regular
statement and account of receipts and expenditures
of all public money shall be published from time to
time.
No title of nobility shall be granted by the United
States: and no person holding any office of profit
or trust under them, shall, without the consent of
the Congress, accept of any present, emolument, office,
or title, of any kind whatever, from any king, prince,
or foreign state.
Section 10.
No state shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or
confederation; grant letters of marque and reprisal;
coin money; emit bills of credit; make anything but
gold and silver coin a tender in payment of debts;
pass any bill of attainder, ex post facto law, or
law impairing the obligation of contracts, or grant
any title of nobility.
No state shall, without the consent of the Congress,
lay any imposts or duties on imports or exports, except
what may be absolutely necessary for executing it's
inspection laws: and the net produce of all duties
and imposts, laid by any state on imports or exports,
shall be for the use of the treasury of the United
States; and all such laws shall be subject to the
revision and control of the Congress.
No state shall, without the consent of Congress,
lay any duty of tonnage, keep troops, or ships of
war in time of peace, enter into any agreement or
compact with another state, or with a foreign power,
or engage in war, unless actually invaded, or in such
imminent danger as will not admit of delay.
Article II
Section 1.
The executive power shall be vested in a President
of the United States of America. He shall hold his
office during the term of four years, and, together
with the Vice President, chosen for the same term,
be elected, as follows:
Each state shall appoint, in such manner as the Legislature
thereof may direct, a number of electors, equal to
the whole number of Senators and Representatives to
which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but
no Senator or Representative, or person holding an
office of trust or profit under the United States,
shall be appointed an elector.
The electors shall meet in their respective states,
and vote by ballot for two persons, of whom one at
least shall not be an inhabitant of the same state
with themselves. And they shall make a list of all
the persons voted for, and of the number of votes
for each; which list they shall sign and certify,
and transmit sealed to the seat of the government
of the United States, directed to the President of
the Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in
the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives,
open all the certificates, and the votes shall then
be counted. The person having the greatest number
of votes shall be the President, if such number be
a majority of the whole number of electors appointed;
and if there be more than one who have such majority,
and have an equal number of votes, then the House
of Representatives shall immediately choose by ballot
one of them for President; and if no person have a
majority, then from the five highest on the list the
said House shall in like manner choose the President.
But in choosing the President, the votes shall be
taken by States, the representation from each state
having one vote; A quorum for this purpose shall consist
of a member or members from two thirds of the states,
and a majority of all the states shall be necessary
to a choice. In every case, after the choice of the
President, the person having the greatest number of
votes of the electors shall be the Vice President.
But if there should remain two or more who have equal
votes, the Senate shall choose from them by ballot
the Vice President.
The Congress may determine the time of choosing the
electors, and the day on which they shall give their
votes; which day shall be the same throughout the
United States.
No person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen
of the United States, at the time of the adoption
of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the office
of President; neither shall any person be eligible
to that office who shall not have attained to the
age of thirty five years, and been fourteen Years
a resident within the United States.
In case of the removal of the President from office,
or of his death, resignation, or inability to discharge
the powers and duties of the said office, the same
shall devolve on the Vice President, and the Congress
may by law provide for the case of removal, death,
resignation or inability, both of the President and
Vice President, declaring what officer shall then
act as President, and such officer shall act accordingly,
until the disability be removed, or a President shall
be elected.
The President shall, at stated times, receive for
his services, a compensation, which shall neither
be increased nor diminished during the period for
which he shall have been elected, and he shall not
receive within that period any other emolument from
the United States, or any of them.
Before he enter on the execution of his office, he
shall take the following oath or affirmation:--"I
do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully
execute the office of President of the United States,
and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect
and defend the Constitution of the United States."
Section 2.
The President shall be commander in chief of the Army
and Navy of the United States, and of the militia
of the several states, when called into the actual
service of the United States; he may require the opinion,
in writing, of the principal officer in each of the
executive departments, upon any subject relating to
the duties of their respective offices, and he shall
have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses
against the United States, except in cases of impeachment.
He shall have power, by and with the advice and consent
of the Senate, to make treaties, provided two thirds
of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate,
and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate,
shall appoint ambassadors, other public ministers
and consuls, judges of the Supreme Court, and all
other officers of the United States, whose appointments
are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall
be established by law: but the Congress may by law
vest the appointment of such inferior officers, as
they think proper, in the President alone, in the
courts of law, or in the heads of departments.
The President shall have power to fill up all vacancies
that may happen during the recess of the Senate, by
granting commissions which shall expire at the end
of their next session.
Section 3.
He shall from time to time give to the Congress information
of the state of the union, and recommend to their
consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary
and expedient; he may, on extraordinary occasions,
convene both Houses, or either of them, and in case
of disagreement between them, with respect to the
time of adjournment, he may adjourn them to such time
as he shall think proper; he shall receive ambassadors
and other public ministers; he shall take care that
the laws be faithfully executed, and shall commission
all the officers of the United States.
Section 4.
The President, Vice President and all civil officers
of the United States, shall be removed from office
on impeachment for, and conviction of, treason, bribery,
or other high crimes and misdemeanors.
Article III
Section 1.
The judicial power of the United States, shall be
vested in one Supreme Court, and in such inferior
courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain
and establish. The judges, both of the supreme and
inferior courts, shall hold their offices during good
behaviour, and shall, at stated times, receive for
their services, a compensation, which shall not be
diminished during their continuance in office.
Section 2.
The judicial power shall extend to all cases, in law
and equity, arising under this Constitution, the laws
of the United States, and treaties made, or which
shall be made, under their authority;--to all cases
affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and
consuls;--to all cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction;--to
controversies to which the United States shall be
a party;--to controversies between two or more states;--between
a state and citizens of another state;-- between citizens
of different states;--between citizens of the same
state claiming lands under grants of different states,
and between a state, or the citizens thereof, and
foreign states, citizens or subjects.
In all cases affecting ambassadors, other public
ministers and consuls, and those in which a state
shall be party, the Supreme Court shall have original
jurisdiction. In all the other cases before mentioned,
the Supreme Court shall have appellate jurisdiction,
both as to law and fact, with such exceptions, and
under such regulations as the Congress shall make.
The trial of all crimes, except in cases of impeachment,
shall be by jury; and such trial shall be held in
the state where the said crimes shall have been committed;
but when not committed within any state, the trial
shall be at such place or places as the Congress may
by law have directed.
Section 3.
Treason against the United States, shall consist only
in levying war against them, or in adhering to their
enemies, giving them aid and comfort. No person shall
be convicted of treason unless on the testimony of
two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession
in open court.
The Congress shall have power to declare the punishment
of treason, but no attainder of treason shall work
corruption of blood, or forfeiture except during the
life of the person attainted.
Article IV
Section 1.
Full faith and credit shall be given in each state
to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings
of every other state. And the Congress may by general
laws prescribe the manner in which such acts, records,
and proceedings shall be proved, and the effect thereof.
Section 2.
The citizens of each state shall be entitled to all
privileges and immunities of citizens in the several
states.
A person charged in any state with treason, felony,
or other crime, who shall flee from justice, and be
found in another state, shall on demand of the executive
authority of the state from which he fled, be delivered
up, to be removed to the state having jurisdiction
of the crime.
No person held to service or labor in one state,
under the laws thereof, escaping into another, shall,
in consequence of any law or regulation therein, be
discharged from such service or labor, but shall be
delivered up on claim of the party to whom such service
or labor may be due.
Section 3.
New states may be admitted by the Congress into this
union; but no new states shall be formed or erected
within the jurisdiction of any other state; nor any
state be formed by the junction of two or more states,
or parts of states, without the consent of the legislatures
of the states concerned as well as of the Congress.
The Congress shall have power to dispose of and make
all needful rules and regulations respecting the territory
or other property belonging to the United States;
and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed
as to prejudice any claims of the United States, or
of any particular state.
Section 4.
The United States shall guarantee to every state in
this union a republican form of government, and shall
protect each of them against invasion; and on application
of the legislature, or of the executive (when the
legislature cannot be convened) against domestic violence.
Article V
The Congress, whenever two thirds of both houses shall
deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to this
Constitution, or, on the application of the legislatures
of two thirds of the several states, shall call a
convention for proposing amendments, which, in either
case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes,
as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the
legislatures of three fourths of the several states,
or by conventions in three fourths thereof, as the
one or the other mode of ratification may be proposed
by the Congress; provided that no amendment which
may be made prior to the year one thousand eight hundred
and eight shall in any manner affect the first and
fourth clauses in the ninth section of the first article;
and that no state, without its consent, shall be deprived
of its equal suffrage in the Senate.
Article VI
All debts contracted and engagements entered into,
before the adoption of this Constitution, shall be
as valid against the United States under this Constitution,
as under the Confederation.
This Constitution, and the laws of the United States
which shall be made in pursuance thereof; and all
treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority
of the United States, shall be the supreme law of
the land; and the judges in every state shall be bound
thereby, anything in the Constitution or laws of any
State to the contrary notwithstanding.
The Senators and Representatives before mentioned,
and the members of the several state legislatures,
and all executive and judicial officers, both of the
United States and of the several states, shall be
bound by oath or affirmation, to support this Constitution;
but no religious test shall ever be required as a
qualification to any office or public trust under
the United States.
Article VII
The ratification of the conventions of nine states,
shall be sufficient for the establishment of this
Constitution between the states so ratifying the same.
Done in convention by the unanimous consent of the
states present the seventeenth day of September in
the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and
eighty seven and of the independence of the United
States of America the twelfth. In witness whereof
We have hereunto subscribed our Names,
G. Washington-Presidt. and deputy from Virginia
New Hampshire: John Langdon, Nicholas Gilman
Massachusetts: Nathaniel Gorham, Rufus King
Connecticut: Wm: Saml. Johnson, Roger Sherman
New York: Alexander Hamilton
New Jersey: Wil. Livingston, David Brearly, Wm. Paterson,
Jona. Dayton
Pennsylvania: B. Franklin, Thomas Mifflin, Robt.
Morris, Geo. Clymer, Thos. FitzSimons, Jared Ingersoll,
James Wilson, Gouv Morris
Delaware: Geo. Read, Gunning Bedford jr, John Dickinson,
Richard Bassett, Jaco. Broom
Maryland: James McHenry, Dan of St Thos. Jenifer,
Danl Carroll
Virginia: John Blair, James Madison Jr.
North Carolina: Wm. Blount, Richd. Dobbs Spaight,
Hu Williamson
South Carolina: J. Rutledge, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney,
Charles Pinckney, Pierce Butler
Georgia: William Few, Abr Baldwin
Amendments to the Constitution
of the United States
Amendment I (1791)
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment
of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;
or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press;
or the right of the people peaceably to assemble,
and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Amendment II (1791)
A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security
of a free state, the right of the people to keep and
bear arms, shall not be infringed.
Amendment III (1791)
No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in
any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in
time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
Amendment IV (1791)
The right of the people to be secure in their persons,
houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable
searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and
no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause,
supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly
describing the place to be searched, and the persons
or things to be seized.
Amendment V (1791)
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or
otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment
or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising
in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when
in actual service in time of war or public danger;
nor shall any person be subject for the same offense
to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall
be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness
against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty,
or property, without due process of law; nor shall
private property be taken for public use, without
just compensation.
Amendment VI (1791)
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy
the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial
jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall
have been committed, which district shall have been
previously ascertained by law, and to be informed
of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted
with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory
process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and
to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.
Amendment VII (1791)
In suits at common law, where the value in controversy
shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by
jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury,
shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the
United States, than according to the rules of the
common law.
Amendment VIII (1791)
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive
fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Amendment IX (1791)
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights,
shall not be construed to deny or disparage others
retained by the people.
Amendment X (1791)
The powers not delegated to the United States by the
Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states,
are reserved to the states respectively, or to the
people.
Amendment XI (1798)
The judicial power of the United States shall not
be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity,
commenced or prosecuted against one of the United
States by citizens of another state, or by citizens
or subjects of any foreign state.
Amendment XII (1804)
The electors shall meet in their respective states
and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President,
one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant
of the same state with themselves; they shall name
in their ballots the person voted for as President,
and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President,
and they shall make distinct lists of all persons
voted for as President, and of all persons voted for
as Vice-President, and of the number of votes for
each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and
transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the
United States, directed to the President of the Senate;--The
President of the Senate shall, in the presence of
the Senate and House of Representatives, open all
the certificates and the votes shall then be counted;--the
person having the greatest number of votes for President,
shall be the President, if such number be a majority
of the whole number of electors appointed; and if
no person have such majority, then from the persons
having the highest numbers not exceeding three on
the list of those voted for as President, the House
of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot,
the President. But in choosing the President, the
votes shall be taken by states, the representation
from each state having one vote; a quorum for this
purpose shall consist of a member or members from
two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the
states shall be necessary to a choice. And if the
House of Representatives shall not choose a President
whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them,
before the fourth day of March next following, then
the Vice-President shall act as President, as in the
case of the death or other constitutional disability
of the President. The person having the greatest number
of votes as Vice-President, shall be the Vice-President,
if such number be a majority of the whole number of
electors appointed, and if no person have a majority,
then from the two highest numbers on the list, the
Senate shall choose the Vice-President; a quorum for
the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole
number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number
shall be necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally
ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible
to that of Vice-President of the United States.
Amendment XIII (1865)
Section 1.
Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except
as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall
have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United
States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
Section 2.
Congress shall have power to enforce this article
by appropriate legislation.
Amendment XIV (1868)
Section 1.
All persons born or naturalized in the United States,
and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens
of the United States and of the state wherein they
reside. No state shall make or enforce any law which
shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens
of the United States; nor shall any state deprive
any person of life, liberty, or property, without
due process of law; nor deny to any person within
its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
Section 2.
Representatives shall be apportioned among the several
states according to their respective numbers, counting
the whole number of persons in each state, excluding
Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote at any
election for the choice of electors for President
and Vice President of the United States, Representatives
in Congress, the executive and judicial officers of
a state, or the members of the legislature thereof,
is denied to any of the male inhabitants of such state,
being twenty-one years of age, and citizens of the
United States, or in any way abridged, except for
participation in rebellion, or other crime, the basis
of representation therein shall be reduced in the
proportion which the number of such male citizens
shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one
years of age in such state.
Section 3.
No person shall be a Senator or Representative in
Congress, or elector of President and Vice President,
or hold any office, civil or military, under the United
States, or under any state, who, having previously
taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer
of the United States, or as a member of any state
legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer
of any state, to support the Constitution of the United
States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion
against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies
thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds
of each House, remove such disability.
Section 4.
The validity of the public debt of the United States,
authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment
of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing
insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned.
But neither the United States nor any state shall
assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid
of insurrection or rebellion against the United States,
or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave;
but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be
held illegal and void.
Section 5.
The Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate
legislation, the provisions of this article.
Amendment XV (1870)
Section 1.
The right of citizens of the United States to vote
shall not be denied or abridged by the United States
or by any state on account of race, color, or previous
condition of servitude.
Section 2.
The Congress shall have power to enforce this article
by appropriate legislation.
Amendment XVI (1913)
The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes
on incomes, from whatever source derived, without
apportionment among the several states, and without
regard to any census of enumeration.
Amendment XVII (1913)
The Senate of the United States shall be composed
of two Senators from each state, elected by the people
thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have
one vote. The electors in each state shall have the
qualifications requisite for electors of the most
numerous branch of the state legislatures.
When vacancies happen in the representation of any
state in the Senate, the executive authority of such
state shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies:
Provided, that the legislature of any state may empower
the executive thereof to make temporary appointments
until the people fill the vacancies by election as
the legislature may direct.
This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect
the election or term of any Senator chosen before
it becomes valid as part of the Constitution.
Amendment XVIII (1919)
Section 1.
After one year from the ratification of this article
the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating
liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the
exportation thereof from the United States and all
territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for
beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.
Section 2.
The Congress and the several states shall have concurrent
power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
Section 3.
This article shall be inoperative unless it shall
have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution
by the legislatures of the several states, as provided
in the Constitution, within seven years from the date
of the submission hereof to the states by the Congress.
Amendment XIX (1920)
The right of citizens of the United States to vote
shall not be denied or abridged by the United States
or by any state on account of sex.
Congress shall have power to enforce this article
by appropriate legislation.
Amendment XX (1933)
Section 1.
The terms of the President and Vice President shall
end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms
of Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3d
day of January, of the years in which such terms would
have ended if this article had not been ratified;
and the terms of their successors shall then begin.
Section 2.
The Congress shall assemble at least once in every
year, and such meeting shall begin at noon on the
3d day of January, unless they shall by law appoint
a different day.
Section 3.
If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the term
of the President, the President elect shall have died,
the Vice President elect shall become President. If
a President shall not have been chosen before the
time fixed for the beginning of his term, or if the
President elect shall have failed to qualify, then
the Vice President elect shall act as President until
a President shall have qualified; and the Congress
may by law provide for the case wherein neither a
President elect nor a Vice President elect shall have
qualified, declaring who shall then act as President,
or the manner in which one who is to act shall be
selected, and such person shall act accordingly until
a President or Vice President shall have qualified.
Section 4.
The Congress may by law provide for the case of the
death of any of the persons from whom the House of
Representatives may choose a President whenever the
right of choice shall have devolved upon them, and
for the case of the death of any of the persons from
whom the Senate may choose a Vice President whenever
the right of choice shall have devolved upon them.
Section 5.
Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect on the 15th day
of October following the ratification of this article.
Section 6.
This article shall be inoperative unless it shall
have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution
by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several
states within seven years from the date of its submission.
Amendment XXI (1933)
Section 1.
The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution
of the United States is hereby repealed.
Section 2.
The transportation or importation into any state,
territory, or possession of the United States for
delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in
violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.
Section 3.
This article shall be inoperative unless it shall
have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution
by conventions in the several states, as provided
in the Constitution, within seven years from the date
of the submission hereof to the states by the Congress.
Amendment XXII (1951)
Section 1.
No person shall be elected to the office of the President
more than twice, and no person who has held the office
of President, or acted as President, for more than
two years of a term to which some other person was
elected President shall be elected to the office of
the President more than once. But this article shall
not apply to any person holding the office of President
when this article was proposed by the Congress, and
shall not prevent any person who may be holding the
office of President, or acting as President, during
the term within which this article becomes operative
from holding the office of President or acting as
President during the remainder of such term.
Section 2.
This article shall be inoperative unless it shall
have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution
by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several
states within seven years from the date of its submission
to the states by the Congress.
Amendment XXIII (1961)
Section 1.
The District constituting the seat of government of
the United States shall appoint in such manner as
the Congress may direct:
A number of electors of President and Vice President
equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives
in Congress to which the District would be entitled
if it were a state, but in no event more than the
least populous state; they shall be in addition to
those appointed by the states, but they shall be considered,
for the purposes of the election of President and
Vice President, to be electors appointed by a state;
and they shall meet in the District and perform such
duties as provided by the twelfth article of amendment.
Section 2.
The Congress shall have power to enforce this article
by appropriate legislation.
Amendment XXIV (1964)
Section 1.
The right of citizens of the United States to vote
in any primary or other election for President or
Vice President, for electors for President or Vice
President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress,
shall not be denied or abridged by the United States
or any state by reason of failure to pay any poll
tax or other tax.
Section 2.
The Congress shall have power to enforce this article
by appropriate legislation.
Amendment XXV (1967)
Section 1.
In case of the removal of the President from office
or of his death or resignation, the Vice President
shall become President.
Section 2.
Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice
President, the President shall nominate a Vice President
who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority
vote of both Houses of Congress.
Section 3.
Whenever the President transmits to the President
pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House
of Representatives his written declaration that he
is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his
office, and until he transmits to them a written declaration
to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged
by the Vice President as Acting President.
Section 4.
Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either
the principal officers of the executive departments
or of such other body as Congress may by law provide,
transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate
and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their
written declaration that the President is unable to
discharge the powers and duties of his office, the
Vice President shall immediately assume the powers
and duties of the office as Acting President.
Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President
pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House
of Representatives his written declaration that no
inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties
of his office unless the Vice President and a majority
of either the principal officers of the executive
department or of such other body as Congress may by
law provide, transmit within four days to the President
pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House
of Representatives their written declaration that
the President is unable to discharge the powers and
duties of his office. Thereupon Congress shall decide
the issue, assembling within forty-eight hours for
that purpose if not in session. If the Congress, within
twenty-one days after receipt of the latter written
declaration, or, if Congress is not in session, within
twenty-one days after Congress is required to assemble,
determines by two-thirds vote of both Houses that
the President is unable to discharge the powers and
duties of his office, the Vice President shall continue
to discharge the same as Acting President; otherwise,
the President shall resume the powers and duties of
his office.
Amendment XXVI (1971)
Section 1.
The right of citizens of the United States, who are
18 years of age or older, to vote, shall not be denied
or abridged by the United States or any state on account
of age.
Section 2.
The Congress shall have the power to enforce this
article by appropriate legislation. |
