History 5
The Constitution of the United States Preamble We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for t he common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Libert y to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the Unit ed States of America. Article. I. - The Legislative Branch Section 1 - The Legislature All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vest ed in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Repres entatives.
Section 2 - The House The House of Representatives shall be composed of M embers chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, and the Electo rs in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most n umerous Branch of the State Legislature. No Person shall be a Representative who shall not h ave 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 apportio ned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to the ir respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Pe rsons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons.) (The previous sentence in parentheses was modified by the 14th Amendment, section 2.) The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United Sta tes, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law d irect. 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 eig ht, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations one, Connecticut five, New York six, Ne w Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten, North Car olina five, South Carolina five and Georgia three. When vacancies happen in the Representation from an y State, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies. The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment. Section 3 - The Senate The Senate of the United States shall be composed o f two Senators from each State, (chosen by the Legislature thereof,) (The preceding words in parentheses superseded by 17th Amendment, section 1.) for six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vot e.
Immediately after they shall be assembled in Conseq uence 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 sec ond Year, of the second Class at the Expiration of the fourth Year, and of the third Cla ss 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 u ntil the next Meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such Vacancies.) (The preceding words in parentheses were superseded by the 17th Amendment, section 2.) No person shall be a Senator who shall not have att ained 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 chos en.
The Vice President of the United States shall be Pr esident of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided. The Senate shall chuse their other Officers, and al so a President pro tempore, in the absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exe rcise the Office of President of the United States. The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Imp eachments. 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 Pers on shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present.
Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend f urther than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office o f honor, Trust or Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevert heless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, accordi ng to Law.
Section 4 - Elections, Meetings The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections f or Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislatur e thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Place of Chusing Senators. The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year, and such Meeting shall (be on the first Monday in December,) (The preceding words in parentheses were superseded by the 20th Amendment, section 2.) unless they shall by Law appoint a different Day.
Section 5 - Membership, Rules, Journals, Adjournmen t Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Ret urns 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 auth orized to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner, and under such P enalties as each House may provide. Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedin gs, punish its Members for disorderly Behavior, and, with the Concurrence of t wo-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, shal l, 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 - Compensation (The Senators and Representatives shall receive a C ompensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States.) (The preceding words in parentheses were modified by the 27th Amen dment.) They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Pea ce, 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 eith er 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 o f 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 S tates, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office. Section 7 - Revenue Bills, Legislative Process, Pre sidential Veto All bills for raising Revenue shall originate in th e 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 Preside nt of the United States; If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, wi th his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the Objectio ns at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such Reconsidera tion two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with t he Objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if app roved 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 voti ng 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 ha d 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 Concu rrence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a quest ion of Adjournment) shall be presented to the President of the United States; an d before the Same shall take Effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by h im, 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 - Powers of Congress The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Ta xes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence an d general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall b e uniform throughout the United States; To borrow money on the credit of the United States; To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and amon g the several States, and with the Indian Tribes; To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States; To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of f oreign 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 committe d on the high Seas, and Offenses against the Law of Nations; To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisa l, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water; To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation o f 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 t he United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officer s, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by C ongress; To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases what soever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of p articular States, and the acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of t he United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Con sent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings; And To make all Laws which shall be necessary and prope r for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by th is Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.
Section 9 - Limits on Congress The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by t he 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 no t be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may requ ire 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.) (Section in parentheses clarified by the 16th Amendment.) No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported f rom any State.
No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of C ommerce 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 C onsequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to ti me.
No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, withou t the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any ki nd whatever, from any King, Prince or foreign State. Section 10 - Powers prohibited of States No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; mak e any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Atta inder, 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 n ecessary 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 th e United States; and all such Laws shall be subject to the Revision and Controul of the Cong ress.
No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, la y any duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Ag reement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, u nless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay. Article. II. - The Executive Branch Section 1 - The President 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 Senat or or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the Unit ed 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 lie an Inhabitant of th e 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 seal ed to the Seat of the Government of the United States, directed to the President of the Sen ate. The President of the Senate shall, in the Presence of the Senate and House of Represen tatives, 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 Majorit y, and have an equal Number of Votes, then the House of Representatives shall imme diately chuse by Ballot one of them for President; and if no Person have a Majority, th en from the five highest on the List the said House shall in like Manner chuse the President . But in chusing 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 o r Members from two-thirds of the States, and a Majority of all the States shall be n ecessary to a Choice. In every Case, after the Choice of the President, the Person havin g 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 chuse from them by Ba llot the Vice-President.) (This clause in parentheses was superseded by the 12th Amendment .) The Congress may determine the Time of chusing 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 Citiz en of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligibl e 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 th e United States.
(In Case of the Removal of the President from Offic e, 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 pro vide for the Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the Presid ent and Vice President, declaring what Officer shall then act as President, and such Offic er shall act accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a President shall be elec ted.) (This clause in parentheses has been modified by the 20th and 25th Amendments.) The President shall, at stated Times, receive for h is Services, a Compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during th e Period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within that Perio d 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 faithf ully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Abili ty, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." Section 2 - Civilian Power over Military, Cabinet, Pardon Power, Appointments The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Ar my and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when call ed 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 Con sent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators prese nt concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, s hall 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 ot herwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress may b y Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the Pre sident alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.
The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacan cies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session. Section 3 - State of the Union, Convening Congress He shall from time to time give to the Congress Inf ormation 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, conv ene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Resp ect 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 Sta tes.
Section 4 - Disqualification The President, Vice President and all civil Officer s 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. - The Judicial Branch Section 1 - Judicial powers The judicial Power of the United States, shall be v ested 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, sh all hold their Offices during good Behavior, and shall, at stated Times, receive for t heir Services a Compensation which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office.
Section 2 - Trial by Jury, Original Jurisdiction, J ury Trials (The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in L aw and Equity, arising under this Constitution, the Laws of the United States, and Tr eaties made, or which shall be made, under their Authority; to all Cases affecting Ambas sadors, other public Ministers and Consuls; to all Cases of admiralty and maritime Jur isdiction; to Controversies to which the United States shall be a Party; to Controversie s between two or more States; between a State and Citizens of another State; between Citi zens of different States; between Citizens of the same State claiming Lands under Gra nts of different States, and between a State, or the Citizens thereof, and foreign States, Citizens or Subjects.) (This section in parentheses is modified by the 11th Amendment.) In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Mi nisters and Consuls, and those in which a State shall be Party, the supreme Court sha ll have original Jurisdiction. In all the other Cases before mentioned, the supreme Court sha ll 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 Impeach ment, shall be by Jury; and such Trial shall be held in the State where the said Crimes sh all have been committed; but when not committed within any State, the Trial shall be at s uch Place or Places as the Congress may by Law have directed. Section 3 - Treason Treason against the United States, shall consist on ly in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comf ort. 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 Punish ment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeitu re except during the Life of the Person attainted. Article. IV. - The States Section 1 - Each State to Honor all others 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 - State citizens, Extradition 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 de mand of the executive Authority of the State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be re moved to the State having Jurisdiction of the Crime.
(No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, under the Laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in Consequence of any Law or Regula tion therein, be discharged from such Service or Labour, But shall be delivered up o n Claim of the Party to whom such Service or Labour may be due.) (This clause in parentheses is superseded by the 13 th Amendment.) Section 3 - New States New States may be admitted by the Congress into thi s Union; but no new States shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any ot her State; nor any State be formed by the Junction of two or more States, or parts of Sta tes, 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 mak e all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belongin g to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Preju dice any Claims of the United States, or of any particular State. Section 4 - Republican government 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 Legislat ure cannot be convened) against domestic Violence. Article. V. - Amendment The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Applica tion 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, a s 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 Ra tification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be m ade prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manne r 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. - Debts, Supremacy, Oaths 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 State s which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be m ade, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and t he Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Law s 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 Af firmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Q ualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States. Article. VII. - Ratification The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the Stat es so ratifying the Same. Done in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the States present the Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousa nd seven hundred and Eighty seven and of the Independence of the United States of Ame rica the Twelfth. In Witness whereof We have hereunto subscribed our Names. Go Washington - President 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 Brearley, Wm Paterson, Jona. Dayton Pensylvania - B Franklin, Thomas Mifflin, Robt Morr is, Geo. Clymer, Thos FitzSimons, Jared Ingersoll, James Wilson, Gouv Morris Delaware - Geo. Read, Gunning Bedford jun, John Dic kinson, Richard Bassett, Jaco.
Broom Maryland - James McHenry, Dan of St Tho Jenifer, Da nl Carroll Virginia - John Blair, James Madison Jr. North Carolina - Wm Blount, Richd Dobbs Spaight, Hu Williamson South Carolina - J. Rutledge, Charles Cotesworth Pi nckney, Charles Pinckney, Pierce Butler Georgia - William Few, Abr Baldwin Attest: William Jackson, Secretary The Amendments The following are the Amendments to the Constitutio n. The first ten Amendments collectively are commonly known as the Bill of Righ ts. Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expressio n. Ratified 12/15/1791.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishm ent 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 t he Government for a redress of grievances. Amendment 2 - Right to Bear Arms. Ratified 12/15/17 91.
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the se curity of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringe d.
Amendment 3 - Quartering of Soldiers. Ratified 12/1 5/1791.
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be pr escribed by law.
Amendment 4 - Search and Seizure. Ratified 12/15/17 91.
The right of the people to be secure in their perso ns, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be vi olated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmati on, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Amendment 5 - Trial and Punishment, Compensation fo r Takings. Ratified 12/15/1791. No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except i n cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service i n time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be tw ice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a wit ness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Amendment 6 - Right to Speedy Trial, Confrontation of Witnesses. Ratified 12/15/1791. In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enj oy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wher ein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previousl y ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence. Amendment 7 - Trial by Jury in Civil Cases. Ratifie d 12/15/1791.
In Suits at common law, where the value in controve rsy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no f act tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re- examined in any Court of the United States, than ac cording to the rules of the common law.
Amendment 8 - Cruel and Unusual Punishment. Ratifie d 12/15/1791.
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Amendment 9 - Construction of Constitution. Ratifie d 12/15/1791.
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rig hts, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. Amendment 10 - Powers of the States and People. Rat ified 12/15/1791.
The powers not delegated to the United States by th e Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively , or to the people.
Amendment 11 - Judicial Limits. Ratified 2/7/1795. The Judicial power of the United States shall not b e construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of t he United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Fo reign State.
Amendment 12 - Choosing the President, Vice-Preside nt. Ratified 6/15/1804. The Electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the pe rson voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-Presi dent, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all p ersons voted for as Vice-President and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shal l 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 El ectors appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having th e 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 choos ing 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 t wo-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 whenev er the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next foll owing, then the Vice-President shall act as President, as in the case of the death or ot her constitutional disability of the President. The person having the greatest number of votes as V ice-President, shall be the Vice- President, if such number be a majority of the whol e number of Electors appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from the two highes t 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 who le number shall be necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible t o the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States. Amendment 13 - Slavery Abolished. Ratified 12/6/186 5.
1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, excep t as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exi st within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction. 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this articl e by appropriate legislation.
Amendment 14 - Citizenship Rights. Ratified 7/9/186 8. 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of t he State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge t he privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive a ny 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. 2. Representatives shall be apportioned among the s everal States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of pe rsons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote at an y election for the choice of electors for President and Vice-President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, the Executive and Judicial officers of a State, or the members of the Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the male inhabitants of such State , being twenty-one years of age, and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridg ed, 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 t o the whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such State.
3. No person shall be a Senator or Representative i n Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or milita ry, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a m ember of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legi slature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution o f the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or g iven aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds o f each House, remove such disability.
4. The validity of the public debt of the United St ates, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for s ervices 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 ai d of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or ema ncipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void.
5. The Congress shall have power to enforce, by app ropriate legislation, the provisions of this article. Amendment 15 - Race No Bar to Vote. Ratified 2/3/18 70.
1. The right of citizens of the United States to vo te shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, c olor, or previous condition of servitude. 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this ar ticle by appropriate legislation. Amendment 16 - Status of Income Tax Clarified. Rati fied 2/3/1913.
The Congress shall have power to lay and collect ta xes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the sev eral States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.
Amendment 17 - Senators Elected by Popular Vote. Ra tified 4/8/1913.
The Senate of the United States shall be composed o f two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and e ach Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each State shall have the qualification s 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 electi on to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the execut ive 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 affe ct the election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Const itution.
Amendment 18 - Liquor Abolished. Ratified 1/16/1919 . Repealed by Amendment 21, 12/5/1933. 1. After one year from the ratification of this art icle 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. 2. The Congress and the several States shall have c oncurrent power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shal l have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.
Amendment 19 - Women's Suffrage. Ratified 8/18/1920 . The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex. Congress shall have power to enforce this article b y appropriate legislation. Amendment 20 - Presidential, Congressional Terms. R atified 1/23/1933.
1. The terms of the President and Vice President sh all end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representati ves at noon on the 3d day of January, of the years in which such terms would have ended i f this article had not been ratified; and the terms of their successors shall then begin. 2. The Congress shall assemble at least once in eve ry year, and such meeting shall begin at noon on the 3d day of January, unless they shall by law appoint a different day.
3. If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the t erm of the President, the President elect shall have died, the Vice President elect shall bec ome President. If a President shall not have been chosen before the time fixed for the begi nning of his term, or if the President elect shall have failed to qualify, then the Vice P resident 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 Presid ent elect shall have qualified, declaring who shall then act as President, or the manner in w hich one who is to act shall be selected, and such person shall act accordingly unt il a President or Vice President shall have qualified. 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 Pres ident 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 wheneve r the right of choice shall have devolved upon them.
5. Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect on the 15th d ay of October following the ratification of this article. 6. This article shall be inoperative unless it shal l have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourt hs of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission.
Amendment 21 - Amendment 18 Repealed. Ratified 12/5 /1933.
1. The eighteenth article of amendment to the Const itution of the United States is hereby repealed. 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. 3. The article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by conventions in the several Stat es, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress. Amendment 22 - Presidential Term Limits. Ratified 2 /27/1951.
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 P resident, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected Preside nt shall be elected to the office of the President more than once. But this Article shal l 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 o perative from holding the office of President or acting as President during the remaind er of such term.
2. This article shall be inoperative unless it shal l have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourt hs of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission to the States by the Congress.
Amendment 23 - Presidential Vote for District of Co lumbia. Ratified 3/29/1961.
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 S tate, 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. 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this ar ticle by appropriate legislation.
Amendment 24 - Poll Tax Barred. Ratified 1/23/1964. 1. The right of citizens of the United States to vo te in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for Presi dent 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 o ther tax.
2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this ar ticle by appropriate legislation. Amendment 25 - Presidential Disability and Successi on. Ratified 2/10/1967.
1. In case of the removal of the President from off ice or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President. 2. Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upo n confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress. 3. Whenever the President transmits to the Presiden t 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.
4. Whenever the Vice President and a majority of ei ther the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Cong ress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Spe aker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is una ble to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately as sume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.
Thereafter, when the President transmits to the Pre sident pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his wri tten declaration that no inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of hi s office unless the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the ex ecutive department or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit within fou r days to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Repre sentatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the power s 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, wit hin 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 of fice, the Vice President shall continue to discharge the same as Acting President; otherwis e, the President shall resume the powers and duties of his office.
Amendment 26 - Voting Age Set to 18 Years. Ratified 7/1/1971.
1. The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age. 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this ar ticle by appropriate legislation. Amendment 27 - Limiting Congressional Pay Increases . Ratified 5/7/1992.
No law, varying the compensation for the services o f the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representat ives shall have intervened.
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