home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
ShareWare OnLine 2
/
ShareWare OnLine Volume 2 (CMS Software)(1993).iso
/
misc
/
con_law2.zip
/
US-CONST.TXT
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1993-05-12
|
55KB
|
1,033 lines
------------------------------
THE CONSTITUTION
OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
_______________________________
WE THE PEOPLE of the United States, in order to form a more perfect
union, ESTABLISH JUSTICE, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common
defence, promote the general welfare, and SECURE THE BLESSINGS OF LIBERTY TO
OURSELVES AND OUR POSTERITY, do ORDAIN and ESTABLISH this Constitution for
the United States of America.
ARTICLE I
SECTION 1. ALL LEGISLATIVE POWERS HEREIN GRANTED SHALL BE VESTED IN A
CONGRESS of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and a
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 Per-
sons. 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, Rhode Island and Providence Plant-
ations one, Connecticut five, New-York six, New Jersey four, Pennsyl-
vania 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 Execu-
tive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such
Vacancies.
The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other Offi-
cers; 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] 3 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 Ex-
piration of the fourth Year, and of the third Class at the Expiration
of the sixth Year, so that one-third may be chosen every second Year;
[and if Vacancies happen by Resignation, or otherwise, during the
Recess of the Legislature of any State, the Executive thereof may make
temporary Appointments until the next Meeting of the Legislature, which
shall then fill such Vacancies.
No Person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the Age of
thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of the United States, and
who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State for which
he shall be chosen.
The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate,
but shall have no vote, unless they be equally divided.
The Senate shall chuse 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.
Judgement in case of impeachment shall not extend further than to re-
moval 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, judge-
ment and punishment, according to law.
Sect. 4. The times, places and manner of holding elections for sena-
tors 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 chusing Senators.
The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meet-
ing shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by law
appoint a different day.
Sect. 5. Each house shall be the judge of the elections, returns and
qualifications of its own members, and a majority of each shall consti-
tute 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 mem-
bers, in such manner, and under such penalties as each house shall
provide.
Each house may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its mem-
bers 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 judgement
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 sessions of Congress, shall without the con-
sent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other
place than that in which the two houses shall be sitting.
Sect. 6. The senators and representatives shall receive a compen-
sation 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 encreased 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.
Sect. 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 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 it 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.
Sect. 8.. The Congress shall have power:
To lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts
and provide for the common defence and general welfare of the United
States; but all duties, imposts and excises shall be uniform throughout
the United States;
To borrow money on the credit of the United States;
To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several
states, and with the Indian tribes;
To establish an uniform rule of naturalization, and uniform laws on the
subject of bankruptcies throughout the United States;
To coin money, regulate the value thereof, and of foreign coin, and fix
the standard of weights and measures;
To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the securities and
current coin of the United States;
To establish post offices and post roads;
To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for
limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their
respective writings and discoveries;
To constitute tribunals inferior to the supreme court;
To define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the high seas,
and offences against the law of nations;
To declare war, grant letters of 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 appoint-
ment of the officers, and the authority of training the militia accord-
ing to the discipline prescribed by Congress;
To exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever, over such
district (not exceeding ten square miles) as may, by cession of partic-
ular States, and the acceptance of Congress, become the seat of govern-
ment 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, ar-
senals, dock yards, and other needful buildings; - And
To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into
execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this
constitution in the government of the United States, or in any depart-
ment or officer thereof.
Sect. 9. The migration or importation of such persons as any of the
states now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibit-
ed 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 ex-
ceeding ten dollars for each person.
The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, un-
less when in cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety may re-
quire it.
No bill of attainder or ex post facto law shall be passed.
No capitation, or other direct, tax shall be laid, unless in propor-
tion to the census or enumeration herein before directed to be taken.
No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported from any state. No
preference shall be given for 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 appro-
priations made by law; and a regular statement and account of the re-
ceipts 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 per-
son 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.
Sect. 10. No state shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or con-
federation; grant letters of marque and reprisal; coin money; emit
bills of credit; make any thing but gold and silver coin a tender in
payment of debts; pass any bill of attainder, ex post facto law, or law
impairing the obligation of contracts, or grant any title of nobility.
No state shall, without the consent of Congress, lay any imposts or
duties on imports or exports, except what may be absolutely necessary
for executing its inspection laws; and the 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
Sect. 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 per-
sons 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 govern-
ment 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, the house of representatives shall im-
mediately chuse 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 chuse the president. But in chusing the president,
the vote 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 elec-
tors shall be the vice-president. But if there should remain two or
more who have equal votes, the senator shall chuse from them by ballot
the vice-president.
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 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 Con-
gress may by law provide for the case of removal, death, resignation or
inability, both of the president and vice-president, declaring what of-
ficer shall then act as president, and such officer shall act accord-
ingly, until the disability be removed, or a president shall be
elected.
The president shall, at stated times, receive for his services, a com-
pensation, which shall neither be encreased 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 fol-
lowing 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."
Sect. 2. The president shall be commander in chief of the army and
navy of the United States, and of the militia of the several States,
when called into the actual service of the United States; he may
require the opinion, in writing, of the principal officer in each of
the executive departments, upon any subject relating to the duties of
their respective offices, and he shall have power to grant reprieves
and pardons for offences against the United States, except in cases of
impeachment.
He shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of the senate,
to make treaties, provided two-thirds of the senators present concur;
and he shall nominate, and by and with the advice and consent of the
senate, shall appoint ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls,
judges of the sup- reme 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.
Sect. 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 extra-
ordinary 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.
Sect. 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
Sect. 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 behavior, and
shall, at stated times, receive for their services, a compensation,
which shall not be diminished during their continuance in office.
Sect. 2. The judicial power shall extend to all cases, in law and
equity, arising under this constitution, the laws of the United States,
and treaties made, or which shall be made, under their authority; to
all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls; to
all cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction; to controversies to
which the United States shall be a party; to controversies between two
or more states, between a state and Citizens of another state, between
Citizens of different states, between Citizens of the same state claim-
ing 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 a 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.
Sect. 3. Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levy-
ing war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid
and comfort. No person shall be convicted of treason unless on the tes-
timony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on open 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
Sect. 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.
Sect. 2. The Citizens of each state shall be entitled to all privi-
leges 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 removed to the state having jurisdiction of the
crime.
No person held to service or labour in one state, under the laws
thereof, escaping into another, shall, in consequence of any law or
regulation therein, be discharged from such service or labour, but
shall be delivered up on claim of the party to whom such service or
labour may be due.
Sect. 3. New states may be admitted by the Congress into this union;
but no new state 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 con-
strued as to prejudice any claims of the United States, or of any par-
ticular state.
Sect. 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 necess-
ary, shall propose amendments to this constitution, or, on the applica-
tion 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 conven-
tions in three-fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of ratifi-
cation 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,
any thing in the constitution or laws of any state to the contrary
notwithstanding.
The senators and representatives beforementioned, and the members of
the several state legislatures, and all executive and judicial offi-
cers, 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 rati-
fying the same.
Done in Convention, by the unanimous consent of the states present, the
seventeenth day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand
seven hundred and eighty-seven, and of the independence of the United
States the twelfth. In witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our
Names.
GEORGE WASHINGTON, president,
And Deputy from Virginia.
New-Hampshire John Langdon, Nicholas Gilman
Massachusetts Nathaniel Gorham, Rufus King
Connecticut William Samuel Johnson, Roger Sherman
New-York Alexander Hamilton
New-Jersey William Livingston, David Brearley, William Paterson,
Jonathan Dayton,
Pennsylvania. Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Miffin, Robert Morris,
George Clymer, Thomas Fitzsimons, Jared Ingersoll,
James Wilson, Gouverneur Morris,
Delaware George Read, Gunning Bedford, Junior, John Dickinson,
Richard Bassett, Jacob Broom.
Maryland James M'Henry, Daniel of St. Tho. Jenifer, Daniel Carrol
Virginia John Blair, James Madison, Junior
North-Carolina William Blount, Richard Dobbs Spaight, Hugh Williamson.
South-Carolina John Rutledge, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney,
Charles Pinckney, Pierce Butler.
Georgia (William Few, Abraham Baldwin.
attest, William Jackson, Secretary
______________________________
AMENDMENTS TO
THE CONSTITUTION
OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
_______________________________
THE BILL OF RIGHTS
PREAMBLE
Preamble to the bill of rights of the Constitution of the United
States of America
Conventions of a number of States, having at the time of their adopt-
ing the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent miscon-
struction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and re-
strictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of
public confidence in the Government, will but ensure the beneficent
ends of its institution
RESOLVED...the following articles be ... part of the said
Constitution;
NOTE: THIS PREAMBLE IS NOT OFFICIALLY A PART OF THE CONSTITUTION
ARTICLES IN ADDITION TO, AND AMENDMENT OF, THE CONSTITUTION OF THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, PROPOSED BY CONGRESS, AND RATIFIED BY THE
LEGISLATURES OF THE SEVERAL STATES, PURSUANT TO THE FIFTH ARTICLE OF
THE ORIGINAL CON-STITUTION
AMENDMENT I
(1791)
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of
speech, or the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assem-
ble, and to peti-tion the Government for a redress of grievances.
AMENDMENT II
(1791)
A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free
State,the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be
infringed.
AMENDMENT III
(1791)
No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without
the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be
prescrib-ed by law.
AMENDMENT IV
(1791)
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers,
and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be
violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, sup-
ported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place
to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
AMENDMENT V
(1791)
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous
crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except
in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when
in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any per-
son be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of
life or limb; nor shall be com-pelled in any criminal case to be a
witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or proper-
ty, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken
for public use, without just compensation.
AMENDMENT VI
(1791)
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a
speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and dis-
trict 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 wit-
nesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his
defense.
AMENDMENT VII
(1791)
In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed
twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no
fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any Court of
the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
AMENDMENT VIII
(1791)
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor
cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
AMENDMENT IX
(1791)
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be
construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
AMENDMENT X
(1791)
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor
prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respective-
ly, or to the people.
AMENDMENT XI
(1795)
The judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to ex-
tend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one
of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or
Subjects of any Foreign State.
AMENDMENT XII
(1804)
The Electors shall meet in their respective states and vote by ballot
for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be
an in-habitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in
their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct bal-
lots the person voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make dis-
tinct 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 pre- sence of
the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and
the votes shall then be counted; - The person having the greatest num-
ber of votes for President, shall be the President, if such number be
a majority of the whole number of the Electors appointed; and if no
person have such a majority, then from the persons having the highest
numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as Presi-
dent, the House of Representa-tives shall choose immediately, by bal-
lot, 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 neces-
sary to a choice. [And if the House of Representatives shall not
choose a President whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon
them, before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice-
President shall act as President, as in the case of the death or other
constitutional disability of the President. -] The person having the
greatest number of votes as Vice-President, shall be the Vice-Pres-
ident, 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 necess-ary to
a choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of
President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United
States.
AMENDMENT XIII
(1865)
SECTION 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a pun-
ishment 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 appro-
priate legislation.
AMENDMENT XIV
(1868)
SECTION 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and
subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States
and 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 num-
ber of persons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed. But when
the right to vote at any election for the choice of electors for Pres-
ident and Vice-President of the United States, Representatives in Con-
gress, the Executive and Judicial officers of a State or the members
of the Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the male inhabitants
of such State, being twenty-one years of age, and citizens of the
United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in
rebellion, or other crime, the basis of repre- sentation 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 Constitu-
tion 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 insur-
rection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the
loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and
claims shall be held illegal and void.
SECTION 5. The Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate
legislation, the provisions of this article.
AMENDMENT XV
(1870)
SECTION 1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall
not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on
account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
SECTION 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by
appropriate legislation.
AMENDMENT XVI
(1913)
The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on income, from
whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several
States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.
AMENDMENT XVII
(1913)
The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators
from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and
each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each state shall
have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous
branch of the State legislatures.
When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the
Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of
election to fill such vacancies: Provide, That the legislature of any
State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments
until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may
direct.
This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or
term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the
Constitution.
AMENDMENT XVIII
(1919)
SECTION 1. After one year from the ratification of this article the
manu-facture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within,
the import-ation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the
United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof
for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.
SECTION 2. The Congress and the several States shall have concurrent
power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
SECTION 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been
ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of
the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven
years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the
Congress.
AMENDMENT XIX
(1920)
The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied
or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.
Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate leg-
islation.
AMENDMENT XX
(1933)
SECTION 1. The terms of the President and Vice-President shall end at
noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of senators and Repre-
sentatives at noon on the 3rd 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 success-ors shall then begin.
SECTION 2. The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year,
and such meeting shall begin at noon on the 3rd 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 cho-
sen 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, de-
claring who then shall then act as President, or the manner in which
one who is to act shall be selected, and such person shall act accord-
ingly until a President or Vice-President shall have qualified.
SECTION 4. The Congress may by law provide for the case of the death
of any of the persons from whom the House of Representatives may
choose a President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved
upon them, and for the case of the death of any of the persons from
whom the Senate may choose a Vice-President whenever the right of
choice shall have devolved upon them.
SECTION 5. Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect on the 15th day of
October following the ratification of this article.
SECTION 6. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been
ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of
three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date
of its submission.
AMENDMENT XXI
(1933)
SECTION 1. The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of
the United States is hereby repealed.
SECTION 2. The transportation or importation into any State, Terri-
tory, or possession of the United States for delivery or use therein
of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby
prohibited.
SECTION 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have
been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by conventions in
the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven
years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the
Congress.
AMENDMENT XXII
(1951)
SECTION 1. No person shall be elected to the office of the President
more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President,
or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some
other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of
President more than once. But this article shall not apply to any
person holding the office of Presi-dent 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 Presi-dent, 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 sub-mission to the States by the Congress.
AMENDMENT XXIII
(1961)
SECTION 1. The District constituting the seat of government of the
United States shall appoint in such manner as the Congress may direct:
A number of electors of President and Vice-President equal to the
whole number of Senators and Representatives in Congress to which the
District would be entitled if it were a State, but in no event more
than the least populous State; they shall be in addition to those
appointed by the States, but they shall be considered, for the pur-
poses 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 amendment by
appropriate legislation.
AMENDMENT XXIV
(1964)
SECTION 1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any
prim-ary or other election 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 amendment by
appropriate legislation.
AMENDMENT XXV
(1967)
SECTION 1. In case of the removal of the President from office or of
his death or resignation, the Vice-President shall become President.
SECTION 2. Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice-
Presi-dent, 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 declar-
ation 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 princi-pal 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 the receipt of the latter written
declar- ation, 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-Presi-dent shall continue to
discharge the same as Acting President; otherwise, the President shall
resume the powers and duties of his office.
AMENDMENT XXVI
(1971)
SECTION 1. The right of citizens of the United States, who are (18)
eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abrid-
ged by the United States or by any State on account of age.
SECTION 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by
appropriate legislation.
******************************* END ****************************
