WE,
the PEOPLE of the UNITED STATES,
in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic
tranquility, provide for the common defence, 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 all 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 [Adjusted by the 16th Amendment] shall be
appointed among the several States which may be included within this Union,
according to the 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.
[Voided by the 13th Amendment] 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, [Adjusted by acts of Congress] 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 choose three,
Massachusetts eight, Rhode-Island and Providence Plantation 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.
[Used for governmental start-up; temporary]
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, [Made nugatory by the 17th
Amendment] 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 of the third class at
the expiration of the sixth year; [Used for governmental start-up;
temporary] 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
State 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 honour,
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 place of choosing Senators. [Prohibition voided by the 17th
Amendment]
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. [Adjusted by the 20th Amendment]
Section 5
Each
House shall be the judge of the elections, returns and qualification, 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 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 officer 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 Senates
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
re-passed 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 defence 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 an
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 offences against
the law of nations;
To declare war,
grant letters of marquee 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, dock-yards, 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. [Made nugatory by the 13th
Amendment]
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. [Prohibition voided by the 16th
Amendment]
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 the 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, or 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 marquee
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 Congress, lay any imposts or duties on
imports or exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing its
inspection laws; and the new 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 a 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. [Adjusted by the 12th
Amendment]
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, [Relevant only to the first
generation of Americans; used for governmental start-up; temporary] 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. [Partially altered by the 25th
Amendment]
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 offences 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 offices 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 citizen 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 consession 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 labour 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 labour;
but shall be delivered up, on claim of the party to whom such service or labour may be due.
[Made nugatory by the 13th Amendment]
Section 3
New
States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new State shall
be formed to 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 an 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 Legislature 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.
Amendment
I
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
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
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
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
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 offence
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
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
defence.
Amendment
VII
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 re-examined in any Court of the United States, than
according to the rules of the common law.
Amendment
VIII
Excessive
bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual
punishments inflicted.
Amendment
IX
The
enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to
deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Amendment
X
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
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
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, [Adjusted
by the 20th Amendment] 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. [Adjusted
by 22nd Amendment]
Amendment
XIII
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
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
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
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 or enumeration.
Amendment
XVII
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
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. [Repealed by the 21st Amendment]
Amendment
XIX
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 has 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 has 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
Section
1
The
right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older,
to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on
account of age.
Section
2
The
Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
Amendment
XXVII
No
law varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives
shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened.