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Preamble
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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.]]]
{{{Superseded by the 14th Amendment, Amendment XIV}}}
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.]]]
{{{Superseded by the 17th Amendment, Amendment XVII}}}
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.]]]
{{{Superseded by the 16th Amendment, Amendment XVI}}}
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.]]]
{{{Superseded by the 12th Amendment, Amendment XII}}}
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.]]]
{{{Superseded by the 25th Amendment, Amendment XXV}}}
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;]]]
{{{Superseded by the 11th Amendment, Amendment XI}}}
--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.]]]
{{{Superseded by the 13th Amendment, Amendment XIII}}}
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.
Signers
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 jun, 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
Bill of Rights
1st Amendment
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.
2nd Amendment
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.
3rd Amendment
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.
4th Amendment
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.
5th Amendment
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 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.
6th Amendment
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 defense.
7th Amendment
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 reexamined in any court of the United
States, than according to the rules of the common law.
8th Amendment
Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor
cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
9th Amendment
Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be
construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
10th Amendment
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.
11th Amendment
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.
12th Amendment
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, then the Vice-President shall act as
President, as in the case of the death or other constitutional disability of
the President.]]]
{{{Superseded by the 20th Amendment, Amendment XX}}}
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.
13th 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.
14th Amendment
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]]]
{{{Superseded by the 19th Amendment, Amendment XIX}}}
inhabitants of such state,
[[[being twenty-one years of age,]]]
{Superseded by the 26th Amendment, Amendment XXVI}}}
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.
15th Amendment
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.
16th Amendment
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.
17th Amendment
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.
18th Amendment
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.]]]
{{{Superseded by the 21st Amendment, Amendment XXI, Repeal of
Prohibition}}}
19th 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.
20th Amendment
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.]]]
{Superseded by the 25th Amendment, Amendment XXV}}}
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.
21st Amendment
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.
22nd Amendment
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.
23rd Amendment
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.
24th Amendment
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.
25th Amendment
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 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.
26th Amendment
Amendment XXVI
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.
27th Amendment
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.
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U.S. Constitution
The Constitution of the United States of America
--*
Source: http://topics.law.cornell.edu/constitution
--*
THIS INDEX, AND SOME OTHER NOTES,
ARE NOT ACTUALLY IN THE CONSTITUTION.
WORDS USED TO DESCRIBE EACH SECTION
ARE INTENDED ONLY AS A GUIDE.
SEARCH THE CONSTITUTION
by using your own computer's search functions.
You can also copy this as a text file in "Notepad,"
and use "Edit - - Find," (Up or Down).
--*
Preamble ["We the people"]
Article I, [The Legislative Branch]
1
Section 1. [Legislative Power Vested]
Section 2. [House of Representatives]
Section 3. [Senate]
Section 4. [Elections of Senators and Representatives]
Section 5. [Rules of House and Senate]
Section 6. [Compensation and Privileges of Members]
Section 7. [Passage of Bills]
Section 8. [Scope of Legislative Power]
Section 9. [Limits on Legislative Power]
Section 10. [Limits on States]
Article II, [The Presidency]
2
Section 1. [Election, Installation, Removal]
Section 2. [Presidential Power]
Section 3. [State of the Union, Receive Ambassadors,
Laws Faithfully Executed, Commission Officers]
Section 4. [Impeachment]
Article III, [The Judiciary]
3
Section 1. [Judicial Power Vested]
Section 2. [Scope of Judicial Power]
Section 3. [Treason]
Article IV [The States]
4
Section 1. [Full Faith and Credit]
Section 2. [Privileges and Immunities, Extradition, Fugitive Slaves]
Section 3. [Admission of States]
Section 4. [Guarantees to States]
Article V [The Amendment Process]
5
Article VI [Legal Status of the Constitution]
6
Article VII [Ratification]
7
Signers
THE BILL OF RIGHTS:
Amendment I,
1st Amendment, (1791), [Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, Petition]
Amendment II
2nd Amendment, (1791), [Right to Bear Arms]
Amendment III
3rd Amendment, (1791), [Quartering of Troops]
Amendment IV
4th Amendment, (1791), [Search and Seizure]
Amendment V
5th Amendment, (1791), [Grand Jury, Double Jeopardy,
Self-Incrimination, Due Process]
Amendment VI
6th Amendment, (1791), [Criminal Prosecutions - Jury Trial,
Right to Confront and to Counsel]
Amendment VII
7th Amendment, (1791), [Common Law Suits - Jury Trial]
Amendment VIII
8th Amendment, (1791), [Excess Bail or Fines, Cruel and Unusual
Punishment]
Amendment IX
9th Amendment, (1791), [Non-Enumerated Rights]
Amendment X
10th Amendment, (1791), [Rights Reserved to States]
--*
TWO MORE FOUNDATIONAL AMENDMENTS:
Amendment XI
11th Amendment, (1795), [Suits Against a State (1795)]
Amendment XII
12th Amendment, (1804), [Election of President and Vice-President]
--*
RECONSTRUCTION AMENDMENTS:
Amendment XIII
13th Amendment, (1865), [Abolition of Slavery]
Amendment XIV
14th Amendment, (1868), [Privileges and Immunities,
Due Process, Equal Protection,
Apportionment of Representatives,
Civil War Disqualification and Debt]
Amendment XV
15th Amendment, (1870), [Rights Not to Be Denied on Account of Race]
--*
TWENTIETH CENTURY AMENDMENTS:
Amendment XVI
16th Amendment, (1913), [Income Tax]
Amendment XVII
17th Amendment, (1913), [Election of Senators]
Amendment XVIII
18th Amendment, (1919), [Prohibition]
Amendment XIX
19th Amendment, (1920), [Women's Right to Vote]
Amendment XX
20th Amendment, (1933), [Presidential Term and Succession]
Amendment XXI
21st Amendment, (1933), [Repeal of Prohibition]
Amendment XXII
22nd Amendment, (1951), [Two Term Limit on President]
Amendment XXIII
23rd Amendment, (1961), [Presidential Vote in D.C.]
Amendment XXIV
24th Amendment, (1964), [Poll Tax Declared Unconstitutional]
Amendment XXV
25th Amendment, (1967), [Presidential Succession]
Amendment XXVI
26th Amendment, (1971), [Right to Vote at Age 18]
Amendment XXVII
27th Amendment, (1992), [Compensation of Members of Congress]
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May 22, 2010
BOTTOM OF PAGE
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[[[Words in triple-brackets have been superseded by later Amendments.]]]
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Preamble
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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.]]]
{{{Superseded by the 14th Amendment, Amendment XIV}}}
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.]]]
{{{Superseded by the 17th Amendment, Amendment XVII}}}
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.]]]
{{{Superseded by the 16th Amendment, Amendment XVI}}}
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.]]]
{{{Superseded by the 12th Amendment, Amendment XII}}}
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.]]]
{{{Superseded by the 25th Amendment, Amendment XXV}}}
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;]]]
{{{Superseded by the 11th Amendment, Amendment XI}}}
--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.]]]
{{{Superseded by the 13th Amendment, Amendment XIII}}}
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.
Signers
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 jun, 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
Bill of Rights
1st Amendment
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.
2nd Amendment
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.
3rd Amendment
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.
4th Amendment
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.
5th Amendment
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 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.
6th Amendment
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 defense.
7th Amendment
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 reexamined in any court of the United
States, than according to the rules of the common law.
8th Amendment
Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor
cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
9th Amendment
Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be
construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
10th Amendment
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.
11th Amendment
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.
12th Amendment
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, then the Vice-President shall act as
President, as in the case of the death or other constitutional disability of
the President.]]]
{{{Superseded by the 20th Amendment, Amendment XX}}}
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.
13th 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.
14th Amendment
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]]]
{{{Superseded by the 19th Amendment, Amendment XIX}}}
inhabitants of such state,
[[[being twenty-one years of age,]]]
{Superseded by the 26th Amendment, Amendment XXVI}}}
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.
15th Amendment
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.
16th Amendment
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.
17th Amendment
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.
18th Amendment
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.]]]
{{{Superseded by the 21st Amendment, Amendment XXI, Repeal of
Prohibition}}}
19th 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.
20th Amendment
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.]]]
{Superseded by the 25th Amendment, Amendment XXV}}}
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.
21st Amendment
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.
22nd Amendment
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.
23rd Amendment
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.
24th Amendment
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.
25th Amendment
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 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.
26th Amendment
Amendment XXVI
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.
27th Amendment
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.
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U.S. Constitution
The Constitution of the United States of America
--*
Source: http://topics.law.cornell.edu/constitution
--*
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Preamble ["We the people"]
Article I, [The Legislative Branch]
1
Section 1. [Legislative Power Vested]
Section 2. [House of Representatives]
Section 3. [Senate]
Section 4. [Elections of Senators and Representatives]
Section 5. [Rules of House and Senate]
Section 6. [Compensation and Privileges of Members]
Section 7. [Passage of Bills]
Section 8. [Scope of Legislative Power]
Section 9. [Limits on Legislative Power]
Section 10. [Limits on States]
Article II, [The Presidency]
2
Section 1. [Election, Installation, Removal]
Section 2. [Presidential Power]
Section 3. [State of the Union, Receive Ambassadors,
Laws Faithfully Executed, Commission Officers]
Section 4. [Impeachment]
Article III, [The Judiciary]
3
Section 1. [Judicial Power Vested]
Section 2. [Scope of Judicial Power]
Section 3. [Treason]
Article IV [The States]
4
Section 1. [Full Faith and Credit]
Section 2. [Privileges and Immunities, Extradition, Fugitive Slaves]
Section 3. [Admission of States]
Section 4. [Guarantees to States]
Article V [The Amendment Process]
5
Article VI [Legal Status of the Constitution]
6
Article VII [Ratification]
7
Signers
THE BILL OF RIGHTS:
Amendment I,
1st Amendment, (1791), [Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, Petition]
Amendment II
2nd Amendment, (1791), [Right to Bear Arms]
Amendment III
3rd Amendment, (1791), [Quartering of Troops]
Amendment IV
4th Amendment, (1791), [Search and Seizure]
Amendment V
5th Amendment, (1791), [Grand Jury, Double Jeopardy,
Self-Incrimination, Due Process]
Amendment VI
6th Amendment, (1791), [Criminal Prosecutions - Jury Trial,
Right to Confront and to Counsel]
Amendment VII
7th Amendment, (1791), [Common Law Suits - Jury Trial]
Amendment VIII
8th Amendment, (1791), [Excess Bail or Fines, Cruel and Unusual
Punishment]
Amendment IX
9th Amendment, (1791), [Non-Enumerated Rights]
Amendment X
10th Amendment, (1791), [Rights Reserved to States]
--*
TWO MORE FOUNDATIONAL AMENDMENTS:
Amendment XI
11th Amendment, (1795), [Suits Against a State (1795)]
Amendment XII
12th Amendment, (1804), [Election of President and Vice-President]
--*
RECONSTRUCTION AMENDMENTS:
Amendment XIII
13th Amendment, (1865), [Abolition of Slavery]
Amendment XIV
14th Amendment, (1868), [Privileges and Immunities,
Due Process, Equal Protection,
Apportionment of Representatives,
Civil War Disqualification and Debt]
Amendment XV
15th Amendment, (1870), [Rights Not to Be Denied on Account of Race]
--*
TWENTIETH CENTURY AMENDMENTS:
Amendment XVI
16th Amendment, (1913), [Income Tax]
Amendment XVII
17th Amendment, (1913), [Election of Senators]
Amendment XVIII
18th Amendment, (1919), [Prohibition]
Amendment XIX
19th Amendment, (1920), [Women's Right to Vote]
Amendment XX
20th Amendment, (1933), [Presidential Term and Succession]
Amendment XXI
21st Amendment, (1933), [Repeal of Prohibition]
Amendment XXII
22nd Amendment, (1951), [Two Term Limit on President]
Amendment XXIII
23rd Amendment, (1961), [Presidential Vote in D.C.]
Amendment XXIV
24th Amendment, (1964), [Poll Tax Declared Unconstitutional]
Amendment XXV
25th Amendment, (1967), [Presidential Succession]
Amendment XXVI
26th Amendment, (1971), [Right to Vote at Age 18]
Amendment XXVII
27th Amendment, (1992), [Compensation of Members of Congress]
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May 22, 2010
BOTTOM OF PAGE
U.S. CONSTITUTION
