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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 the common
defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to
ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for
the United States of America.


Legislative powers; in whom vested


All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the
United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

House of Representatives, how and by whom chosen
Qualifications of a Representative.  Representatives and direct taxes,
how apportioned.  Enumeration.  Vacancies to be filled.  Power of
choosing officers, and of impeachment.


The House of Representatives shall be composed of members chosen
every second year by the people of the several States, and the elector 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 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

Altered by 16th Amendment

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 the whole
number of free persons,
including those bound to service for a term of
years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three-fifths of all other persons.

Altered by 14th Amendment

The actual enumeration shall be made within three years after the first
meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent
term of ten years, in such manner as they shall by law direct.  The number
of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty thousand, but each
State shall have at least one Representative; and until such enumeration
shall be made, the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to choose
three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations one,
Connecticut five, New York six, New Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight,
Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten, North Carolina five, South
Carolina five, and Georgia three.

When vacancies happen in the representation from any State, the
Executive Authority thereof shall issue writs of election to fill such
vacancies.

The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and other
officers; and shall have the sole power of impeachment.

Senators, how and by whom chosen.  How classified.  State
Executive, when to make temporary appointments, in case, etc.
Qualifications of a Senator.  President of the Senate, his right to vote.
President pro tem., and other officers of the Senate, how chosen.  Power
to try impeachments.  When President is tried, Chief Justice to preside.
Sentence.


The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from
each State,

chosen by the Legislature thereof,

Altered by 17th Amendment

for six years; and each
Senator shall have one vote.

Immediately after they shall be assembled in consequence of the first
election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three classes.  The
seats of the Senators of the first class shall be vacated at the expiration of
the second year, of the second class at the expiration of the fourth year,
and of the third class at the expiration of the sixth year, 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.

Altered by 17th Amendment


No person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the age of
thirty years, and been nine years a citizen of the United States, and who
shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that State for which he shall be
chosen.

The Vice-President of the United States shall be President of the Senate,
but shall have no vote, unless they be equally divided.

The Senate shall choose their other officers, and also a President  pro
tempore , in the absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the
office of the 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 cases of impeachment shall not extend further than to
removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of
honor, trust, or profit under the United States: but the party convicted shall
nevertheless be liable and subject to indictment, trial, judgement and
punishment, according to law.

Times, etc., of holding elections, how prescribed.  One
session in each year.


The times, places and manner of holding elections for Senators and
Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature
thereof; but the Congress may at any time by law make or alter
such regulations, except as to the places of choosing Senators.

The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and
such meeting shall be

on the first Monday in December,

Altered by 20th Amendment

unless they by law appoint a different day.

Membership, Quorum, Adjournments, Rules, Power to punish or
expel.  Journal.  Time of adjournments, how limited, etc.


Each House shall be the judge of the elections, returns and
qualifications of its own members, and a majority of each shall
constitute a quorum to do business; but a smaller number may
adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the
attendance of absent members, in such manner, and under such
penalties as each House may provide.

Each House may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish
its members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence
of two-thirds, expel a member.

Each House shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and from
time to time publish the same, excepting such parts as may in
their 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 session of Congress, shall, without the consent
of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other place
than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.

Compensation, Privileges, Disqualification in certain cases.


The Senators and Representatives shall receive a compensation for their
services, to be ascertained by law, and paid out of the Treasury of the
United States.  They shall in all cases, except treason, felony and breach
of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their attendance at the
session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the
same; and for any speech or debate in either House, they shall not be
questioned in any other place.

No Senator or Representative shall, during the time for which he was
elected, be appointed to any civil office under the authority of the United
States, which shall have increased during such time; and no person holding
any office under the United States, shall be a member of either House during
his continuance in office.

House to originate all revenue bills.  Veto.  Bill may be
passed by two-thirds of each House, notwithstanding, etc.  Bill, not
returned in ten days to become a law.  Provisions as to orders,
concurrent resolutions, etc.


All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of
Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with
amendments as on other bills.

Every bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the
Senate, shall, before it become a law, be presented to the president of the
United States; if he approve, he shall sign it, but if not, he shall return
it, with his objections, to that house in which it shall have originated,
who shall enter the objections at large on their journal, and proceed to
reconsider it.  If after such reconsideration, two thirds of that house
shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, together with the
objections, to the other house, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered,
and if approved by two-thirds of that house, it shall become a law.  But in
all such cases the votes of both houses shall be determined by yeas and
nays, and the names of the persons voting for and against the bill shall be
entered on the journal of each house respectively.  If any bill shall not
be returned by the president within ten days (Sundays excepted) after it
shall have been presented to him, the same shall be a law, in like manner
as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their adjournment prevent
its return, in which case it shall not be a law.

Every order, resolution, or vote to which the concurrence of the Senate and
House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of
adjournment) shall be presented to the president of the United States; and
before the same shall take effect, shall be approved by him, or, being
disapproved by him, shall be re-passed by two-thirds of the Senate and
House of Representatives, according to the rules and limitations prescribed
in the case of a bill.

Powers of Congress


The Congress shall have the 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 appointment of the
officers, and the authority of training the militia according to the
discipline prescribed by Congress:

To exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever, over such
district (not exceeding ten miles square) as may, by cession of particular
states, and the acceptance of Congress, become the seat of the government
of the United States, and to exercise like authority over all places
purchased by the consent of the legislature of the state in which the same
shall be, for the erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, dock-yards, and
other needful buildings: And,

To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into
execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this
constitution in the government of the United States, or in any department
or officer thereof.

Provision as to migration or importation of certain persons.   Habeas
Corpus , Bills of attainder, etc.  Taxes, how apportioned.  No export
duty.  No commercial preference.  Money, how drawn from Treasury, etc.
No titular nobility.  Officers not top receive presents, etc.


The migration or importation of such persons as any of the states
now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the
Congress prior to the year 1808, but a tax or duty may be imposed on such
importations, not exceeding 10 dollars for each person.

The privilege of the writ of  habeas corpus  shall not be suspended,
unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety may require
it.

No bill of attainder or  ex post facto  law shall be passed.


No capitation, or other direct tax shall be laid unless in proportion to
the census or enumeration herein before directed to be taken.

Altered by 16th Amendment


No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported from any state.

No preference shall be given by any regulation of commerce or revenue to
the ports of one state over those of another: nor shall vessels bound to,
or from one state, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay duties in another.

No money shall be drawn from the treasury but in consequence of
appropriations made by law; and a regular statement and account of the
receipts and expenditures of all public money shall be published from time
to time.

No title of nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no person
holding any office or 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.

States prohibited from the exercise of certain powers.


No state shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or confederation;
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 the 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 a war,
unless actually invaded, or in such imminent danger as will not admit of
delay.
  II

President: his term of office.  Electors of President; number and how
appointed.  Electors to vote on same day.  Qualification of President.
On whom his duties devolve in case of his removal, death, etc.
President's compensation.  His oath of office.


The Executive power shall be vested in a President of the United States
of America. He shall hold office during the term of four years, and
together with the Vice President, chosen for the same term, be elected
as follows


Each State

Altered by 23rd Amendment

shall appoint, in such manner as the Legislature may direct,
a number of electors, equal to the whole number of Senators and
Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress:
but no Senator or Representative, or person holding an office of trust
or profit under the United States, shall be appointed an elector

The electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by ballot
for two persons, of whom one at least shall not be an inhabitant of the
same State with themselves. And they shall make a list of all the persons
voted for each; which list they shall sign and certify, and transmit
sealed to the seat of Government of the United States, directed to the
President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in the
presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the
certificates, and the votes shall then be counted. The person having
the greatest number of votes shall be the President, if such number
be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed; and if there
be more than one who have such majority, and have an equal number of
votes, then the House of Representatives shall immediately choose by
ballot one of them for President; and if no person have a majority,
then from the five highest on the list the said House shall in like
manner choose the President. But in choosing the President, the votes
shall be taken by States, the representation from each State having one
vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members
from two-thirds of the States, and a majority of all the States shall
be necessary to a choice. In every case, after the choice of the
President, the person having the greatest number of votes of the
electors shall be the Vice President. But if there should remain two
or more who have equal votes, the Senate shall choose from them by
ballot the Vice President.

Altered by 12th Amendment


The Congress may determine the time of choosing the electors, and the
day on which they shall give their votes; which day shall be the same
throughout the United States.

No person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United
States, at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, shall be
eligible to the office of President; neither shall any person be eligible
to that office who shall not have attained to the age of thirty-five
years, and been fourteen years a resident within the United States.


In case of the removal of the President from office, or of his death,
resignation, or inability to discharge the powers and duties of the said
office, the same shall devolve on the Vice President, and the Congress
may by law provide for the case of removal, death, resignation, or
inability, both of the President and Vice President, declaring what
officer shall then act as President, and such officer shall act accordingly,
until the disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.

Altered by 25th Amendment


The President shall, at stated times, receive for his services, a
compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the
period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive
within that period any other emolument from the United States, or any
of them.

Before he enter on the execution of his office, he shall take the
following oath or affirmation:

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the
office of the President of the United States, and will to the best of
my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United
States."

President to be Commander-in-Chief.  He may require opinions of cabinet
officers, etc., may pardon.  Treaty-making power.  Nomination of certain
officers.  When President may fill vacancies.


The President shall be Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy of the
United States, and of the militia of the several States, when called into
the actual service of the United States; he may require the opinion, in
writing, of the principal officer in each of the executive departments,
upon any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices, and
he shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses
against the United States, except in cases of impeachment.

He shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to
make treaties, provided two-thirds of the Senators present concur; and
he shall nominate, and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate,
shall appoint ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, judges of
the Supreme Court, and all other officers of the United States, whose
appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be
established by law: but the Congress may by law vest the appointment of
such inferior officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in
the courts of law, or in the heads of departments.

The President shall have the 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.

President shall communicate to Congress.  He may convene and adjourn
Congress, in case of disagreement, etc.  Shall receive ambassadors,
execute laws, and commission officers.


He shall from time to time give to the Congress information of the state
of the Union, and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall
judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary occasions, convene
both Houses, or either of them, and in case of disagreement between them,
with respect to the time of adjournment, he may adjourn them to such time
as he shall think proper; he may 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.

All civil offices forfeited for certain crimes.


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.
  III

Judicial powers.  Tenure.  Compensation.


The judicial power of the United States, shall be vested in one
supreme court, and in such inferior courts as the Congress may, from time
to time, ordain and establish.  The judges, both of the supreme and
inferior courts, shall hold their offices during good behaviour, and shall,
at stated times, receive for their services a compensation, which shall not
be diminished during their continuance in office.

Judicial power; to what cases it extends.  Original jurisdiction of
Supreme Court Appellate.  Trial by Jury, etc.  Trial, where


The judicial power shall extend to all cases, in law and equity,
arising under this constitution, the laws of the United States, and
treaties made, or which shall be made under their authority; to all cases
affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls; to all cases of
admiralty and maritime jurisdiction; to controversies to which the United
States shall be a party;

to controversies between two or more states,
between a state and citizens of another state, between citizens of
different states, between citizens of the same state, claiming lands under
grants of different states, and between a state, or the citizens thereof,
and foreign states, citizens or subjects.

Altered by 11th Amendment


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.

Treason defined.  Proof of.  Punishment


Treason against the United States shall consist only in levying
war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and
comfort.  No person shall be convicted of treason unless on the testimony
of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open court.

The Congress shall have power to declare the punishment of treason, but no
attainder of treason shall work corruption of blood, or forfeiture, except
during the life of the person attainted.
  IV

Each State to give credit to the public acts, etc. of every other State.


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.

Privileges of citizens of each State.  Fugitives from Justice to be
delivered up.  Persons held to service having escaped, to be delivered up.


The citizens of each state shall be entitled to all privileges and
immunities of citizens in the several states.

See the 14th Amendment


A person charged in any state with treason, felony, or other crime, who
shall flee justice, and be found in another state, shall, on demand of the
executive authority of the state from which he fled, be delivered up, to be
removed to the state having jurisdiction of the crime.


No person held to service or labour in one state, under the laws thereof,
escaping into another, shall, in consequence of any law or regulation
therein, be discharged from such service or labour, but shall be delivered
up on claim of the party to whom such service or labour may be due.

Altered by 13th Amendment


Admission of new States.  Power of Congress over territory and other property.


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,
without the consent of the legislatures of the states concerned, as well as
of the Congress.

The Congress shall have power to dispose of and make all needful rules and
regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging to the
United States; and nothing in this constitution shall be so construed as to
prejudice any claims of the United States, or of any particular state.

Republican form of government guaranteed.  Each State to be protected.


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.


Amendments


The Congress, whenever two-thirds of both houses shall deem it
necessary, shall propose amendments to this constitution, or on the
application of the legislatures of two-thirds of the several states,
shall call a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either
case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of this
constitution, when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the
several states, or by conventions in three-fourths thereof, as the one
or the other mode of ratification may be proposed by the Congress:
Provided, that no amendment which may be made prior to the year 1808,
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.
  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 before-mentioned, and the members of
the several state legislatures, and all executive and judicial
officers, both of the United States and of the several states, shall be
bound by oath or affirmation, to support this constitution; but no
religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office
or public trust under the United States.
  VII

The ratification of the conventions of nine states, shall be sufficient
for the establishment of this constitution between the states so
ratifying the same.




AMENDMENTS

The Ten Original Amendments: The Bill of Rights.
Passed by Congres September 25, 1789.
Ratified December 15, 1791.




Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion,
or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of
speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to
assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
  II

A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free
State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be
infringed.
  III

No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house,
without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to
be prescribed by law.
  IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses,
papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall
not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause,
supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place
to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.


No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise
infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury,
except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia,
when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any
person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of
life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a
witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property,
without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for
public use without just compensation.
  VI

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to
a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and
district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district
shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the
nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses
against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his
favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.
  VII

In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed
twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no
fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the
United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
  VIII

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed,
nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
  IX

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not
be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.


The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution,
nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States
respectively, or to the people.
  XI

Passed by Congress March 4, 1794.  Ratified February 7, 1795.


The judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to
extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against
one of the United States by citizens of another State, or by citizens
or subjects of any foreign state.
  XII

Passed by Congress December 9, 1803.  Ratified July 27, 1804.


The Electors shall meet in their respective States and vote by ballot
for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be
an inhabitant of the same State with themselves;  they shall name in
their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct
ballots the person voted for as Vice-President, and of the number of
votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit
sealed to the seat of the Government of the United States, directed to
the President of the Senate; the President of the Senate shall, in the
presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the
certificates and the votes shall then be counted; - The person having
the greatest number of votes for President, shall be the President, if
such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed;
and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the
highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as
President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by
ballot, the President.   But in choosing the President, the votes shall
be taken by States, the representation from each State having one vote;
a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from
two-thirds of the States, and a majority of all the States shall be
necessary to  a choice.  And if the House of Representatives shall not
choose a President whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon
them,

before the fourth day of March next following,

Altered by 20th Amendment

then the
Vice-President shall act as President, as in case of the death or other
constitutional disability of the President.  The person having the
greatest number of votes as Vice-President, shall be the
Vice-President, if such numbers be a majority of the whole number of
electors appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from the two
highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the
Vice-President; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of
the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall
be necessary to a choice.  But no person constitutionally ineligible
to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President
of the United States.
  XIII

Passed by Congress January 31, 1865.  Ratified December 6, 1865.




Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for
crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist
within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.



Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate
legislation.
  XIV

Passed by Congress June 13, 1866.  Ratified July 9, 1868




All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject
to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the
State wherein they reside.  No State shall make or enforce any law
which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the
United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty,
or property, without due process of law; nor to deny to any person
within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.



Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States
according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of
persons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed.  But when the right
to vote at any election for the choice of Electors for President and
Vice-President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, the
executive and judicial officers of a State, or the members of the
Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the male inhabitants of such
State, being twenty-one years of age, and citizens of the United
States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in rebellion,
or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in
the proportion which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the
whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such State.



No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or
Elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or
military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having
previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of
the United States, or as a member of any State Legislature, or as an
executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the
Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection
or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies
thereof.  But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House,
remove such disability.



The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by
law,  including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for
services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be
questioned.  But neither the United States nor any State shall assume
or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or
rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or
emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims
shall be held illegal and void.



The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate
legislation, the provisions of this article.
  XV

Passed by Congress February 26, 1869.  Ratified February 3, 1870.




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.



The Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by
appropriate legislation.
  XVI

Passed by Congress July 2, 1909.  Ratified February 3, 1913.


The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from
whatever sources derived, without apportionment among the several
States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.
  XVII

Passed by Congress May 13, 1912.  Ratified April 8, 1913.


The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators
from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each
Senator shall have one vote.  The electors in each State shall have the
qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of
the State Legislatures.

When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the
Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of
election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the Legislature of any
State may empower the Executive thereof to make temporary appointments
until the people fill the vacancies by election as the Legislature may
direct.

This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election
or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the
Constitution.
  XVIII

Passed by Congress December 18, 1917.  Ratified January 16, 1919.

Altered by Amendment 21



After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture,
sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation
thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all
territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is
hereby prohibited.

The Congress and the several States shall have concurrent power to
enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

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.
  XIX

Passed by Congress June 4, 1919.  Ratified August 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 by appropriate
legislation.
  XX



The terms of the President and the Vice-President shall end at noon
on the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives
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
successors shall then begin.



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.



If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of the President,
the President elect shall have died, the Vice-President elect shall
become President.  If a President shall not have been chosen before the
time fixed for the beginning of his term, or if the President elect
shall have failed to qualify, then the Vice-President elect shall act
as President until a President shall have qualified; and the Congress
may by law provide for the case wherein neither a President elect nor
a Vice-President shall have qualified, declaring who shall then act as
President, or the manner in which one who is to act shall be selected,
and such person shall act accordingly until a President or
Vice-President shall have qualified.



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.



Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect on the 15th day of October
following the ratification of this article (October 1933).



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.
  XXI

Passed by Congress February 20, 1933.  Ratified December 5, 1933.




The Eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the
United States is hereby repealed.



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.



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.
  XXII

Passed by Congress March 21, 1947.  Ratified February 27, 1951.


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 that two years of a term to which some other person
was elected President shall be elected to the office of President more
that once.

But this Article shall not apply to any person holding the
office of President when this Article was proposed by Congress, and shall
not prevent any person who may be holding the office of President, or acting
as President, during the term the term within which this Article becomes
operative from holding the office of President or acting as President during
the remainder of such term.

This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified
as an amendment to the Constitution by the Legislatures of three-fourths
of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission
to the States by the Congress.
  XXIII

Passed by Congress June 16, 1960.  Ratified March 29, 1961.




The District constituting the seat of Government of the United States shall
appoint in such manner as Congress may direct:

A number of electors of President and Vice President equal to the whole number
of Senators and Representatives in Congress to which the District would be
entitled if it were a State, but in no event more than the least populous State;
they shall be in addition to those appointed by the States, but they shall
be considered, for the purposes of the election of President and Vice President,
to be electors appointed by a State; and they shall meet in the District
and preform such duties as provided by the twelfth article of amendment.



The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate
legislation.
  XXIV

Passed by Congress August 27, 1962.  Ratified January 23, 1964.




The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or
other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President
or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall
not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State by reason of
failure to pay poll tax or any other tax.



Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
  XXV

Passed by Congress July 6, 1965.  Ratified February 10, 1967.




In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death
or resignation, the Vice President shall become President.



Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the
President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take the office upon
confirmation by a majority vote of both houses of Congress.



Whenever the President transmits to the President Pro tempore of the
Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration
that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, and
until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such
powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting President.



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, transmits to the President Pro tempore of the
Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration
that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office,
the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the
office as Acting President.

Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President Pro tempore
of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his
written declaration that no inability exists, he shall resume the
powers and duties of his office unless the Vice President and a
majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments
or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmits within
four days to the President Pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of
the House of Representatives their written declaration that the
President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office.
Thereupon Congress shall decide the issue, assembling within
forty-eight hours for that purpose if not in session.  If the Congress,
within twenty-one days after receipt of the latter written declaration,
or, if Congress is not in session within twenty-one days after Congress
is required to assemble, determines by two-thirds vote of both houses
that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his
office, the Vice President shall continue to discharge the same as
Acting President; otherwise, the President shall resume the powers and
duties of his office.
  XXVI

Passed by Congress March 23, 1971.  Ratified June 30, 1971.




The right of citizens of the United States, who are 18 years of age
or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States
or any state on account of age.



The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate
legislation.