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 THE CONSTITUTION oftheUnitedStates NATIONAL CONSTITUTION CENTER We the People of the United States, in Order to form a within three Years after the fi rst Meeting of the Congress more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct. The the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to Number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this thirty Thousand, but each State shall have at Least one Constitution for the United States of America. Representative; and until such enumeration shall be made, the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to chuse three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations one, Connecticut fi ve, New-York six, New Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland Article.I. six, Virginia ten, North Carolina fi ve, South Carolina fi ve, and Georgia three. SECTION. 1. When vacancies happen in the Representation from any All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a State, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Sen- Election to fi ll such Vacancies. ate and House of Representatives. The House of Representatives shall chuse their SECTION. 2. Speaker and other Offi cers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment. The House of Representatives shall be composed of Mem- bers chosen every second Year by the People of the several SECTION. 3. States, and the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifi - cations requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two of the State Legislature. Senators from each State, [chosen by the Legislature there- of,]* for six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote. No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the Age of twenty fi ve Years, and been seven Immediately after they shall be assembled in Consequence Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, of the fi rst Election, they shall be divided as equally as may when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which he be into three Classes. The Seats of the Senators of the fi rst shall be chosen. Class shall be vacated at the Expiration of the second Year, of the second Class at the Expiration of the fourth Year, and [Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned of the third Class at the Expiration of the sixth Year, so that among the several States which may be included within one third may be chosen every second Year; [and if Vacan- this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which cies happen by Resignation, or otherwise, during the Recess shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of of the Legislature of any State, the Executive thereof may free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term make temporary Appointments until the next Meeting of of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fi fths of the Legislature, which shall then fi ll such Vacancies.]* all other Persons.]* The actual Enumeration shall be made C O N S T I T U T I O N O F T H E U N I T E D S T A T E S 1 No Person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and to the Age of thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of from time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an as may in their Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen. and Nays of the Members of either House on any question shall, at the Desire of one fi fth of those Present, be entered The Vice President of the United States shall be on the Journal. President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided. Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, with- out the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three The Senate shall chuse their other Offi cers, and also a days, nor to any other Place than that in which the two President pro tempore, in the Absence of the Vice Houses shall be sitting. President, or when he shall exercise the Offi ce of President of the United States. SECTION. 6. The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeach- The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compen- ments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on sation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid Oath or Affi rmation. When the President of the United out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall in all States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Ses- thirds of the Members present. sion of their respective Houses, and in going to and return- Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend ing from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either further than to removal from Offi ce, and disqualifi cation to House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place. hold and enjoy any Offi ce of honor, Trust or Profi t under No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Offi ce be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and under the Authority of the United States, which shall have Punishment, according to Law. been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been SECTION. 4. encreased during such time; and no Person holding any Offi ce under the United States, shall be a Member of either The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for House during his Continuance in Offi ce. 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 chusing Senators. The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year, and such Meeting shall be [on the fi rst Monday in December,]* unless they shall by Law appoint a different Day. SECTION. 5. Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifi cations 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 Behaviour, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member. C O N S T I T U T I O N O F T H E U N I T E D S T A T E S 2 SECTION. 7. SECTION. 8. All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide Amendments as on other Bills. for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Represen- throughout the United States; tatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States; If he ap- To borrow Money on the credit of the United States; prove he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among Objections to that House in which it shall have originated, the several States, and with the Indian Tribes; who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such Reconsideration To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uni- two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall form Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, United States; by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign by two thirds of that House, it shall become a Law. But in Coin, and fi x the Standard of Weights and Measures; all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be determined by Yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securi- and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each ties and current Coin of the United States; House respectively, If any Bill shall not be returned by the To establish Post Offi ces and post Roads; President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries; their Adjournament prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law. To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court; Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concur- To defi ne and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on rence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be the high Seas, and Offenses against the Law of Nations; necessary (except on a question of Adjournment) shall be To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and presented to the President of the United States; and before make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water; the Same shall take Effect, shall be approved by him, or be- To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of ing disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two thirds of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the Years; Rules and Limitations prescribed in the Case of a Bill. 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 Offi cers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress; C O N S T I T U T I O N O F T H E U N I T E D S T A T E S 3 To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, SECTION. 10. over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confedera- may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance tion; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of At- purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in tainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Maga- of Contracts, or grant any Title of Nobility. zines, Arsenals, dock-Yards and other needful Buildings; -And No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for may be absolutely necessary for executing it’s inspection carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Laws: and the net Produce of all Duties and Imposts, laid Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of by any State on Imports or Exports, shall be for the Use of the United States, or in any Department or Offi cer thereof. the Treasury of the United States; and all such Laws shall be SECTION. 9. subject to the Revision and Controul of the Congress. The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one thousand Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another eight hundred and eight, but a Tax or duty may be imposed State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not Person. admit of delay. 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.]* No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State. No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Com- merce 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 Con- sequence 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 Offi ce of Profi t or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Offi ce, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State. C O N S T I T U T I O N O F T H E U N I T E D S T A T E S 4 Article.II. SECTION. 1. The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the The Congress may determine the Time of chusing the United States of America. He shall hold his Offi ce during Electors, and the Day on which they shall give their Votes; the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice Presi- which Day shall be the same throughout the United States. dent, chosen for the same Term, be elected, as follows: No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the Constitution, shall be eligible to the Offi ce of President; whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which neither shall any person be eligible to that Offi ce who shall the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or not have attained to the Age of thirty fi ve Years, and been Representative, or Person holding an Offi ce of Trust or Prof- fourteen Years a Resident within the United States. it under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector. [In Case of the Removal of the President from Offi ce, or of [The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers by Ballot for two Persons, of whom one at least shall not and Duties of the said Offi ce, the Same shall devolve on the be an Inhabitant of the same State with themselves. And Vice President, and the Congress may by Law provide for they shall make a List of all the Persons voted for, and of the Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both the Number of Votes for each; which List they shall sign of the President and Vice President, declaring what Offi cer and certify, and transmit sealed to the Seat of the Govern- shall then act as President, and such Offi cer shall act ac- ment of the United States, directed to the President of the cordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a President Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in the Presence shall be elected.]* of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, Certifi cates, and the Votes shall then be counted. The a Compensation, which shall neither be increased nor Person having the greatest Number of Votes shall be the diminished during the Period for which he shall have been President, if such Number be a Majority of the whole elected, and he shall not receive within that Period any Number of Electors appointed; and if there be more than other Emolument from the United States, or any of them. one who have such Majority, and have an equal Number of Votes, then the House of Representatives shall immediately Before he enter on the Execution of his Offi ce, he shall chuse by Ballot one of them for President; and if no Person take the following Oath or Affi rmation:- “I do solemnly have a Majority, then from the fi ve highest on the List swear (or affi rm) that I will faithfully execute the Offi ce of the said House shall in like Manner chuse the President. President of the United States, and will to the best of my But in chusing the President, the Votes shall be taken by Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of States, the Representation from each State having one Vote; the United States.” 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 chuse from them by Bal- lot the Vice President.]* C O N S T I T U T I O N O F T H E U N I T E D S T A T E S 5 SECTION. 2. SECTION. 3. The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army He shall from time to time give to the Congress Informa- and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the tion of the State of the Union, and recommend to their several States, when called into the actual Service of the Consideration such Measures as he shall judge neces- United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of sary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, the principal Offi cer in each of the executive Departments, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Offi ces, and he shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he Pardons for Offenses against the United States, except in shall think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other Cases of Impeachment. public Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws be faith- fully executed, and shall Commission all the Offi cers of the He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent United States. of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and SECTION. 4. with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges The President, Vice President and all civil Offi cers of the of the supreme Court, and all other Offi cers of the United United States, shall be removed from Offi ce on Impeach- States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise ment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but high Crimes and Misdemeanors. the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such in- ferior Offi cers, 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 fi ll 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. C O N S T I T U T I O N O F T H E U N I T E D S T A T E S 6 Article.III. SECTION. 1. SECTION. 3. The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levy- in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the ing War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giv- Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The ing them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the their Offi ces during good Behaviour, and shall at stated same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court. Times, receive for their Services, a Compensation, which The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Offi ce. of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corrup- SECTION. 2. tion of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted. 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 Ambassa- dors, 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 Citi- zens thereof;- and foreign States, Citizens or Subjects.]* In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State shall be Party, the supreme Court shall have original Jurisdiction. In all the other Cases before mentioned, the supreme Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions, and under such Regulations as the Con- gress 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. C O N S T I T U T I O N O F T H E U N I T E D S T A T E S 7 Article.IV. Article.V. SECTION. 1. The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Con- Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the stitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every oth- thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for pro- er State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe posing Amendments, which in either Case, shall be valid to the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when shall be proved, and the Effect thereof. ratifi ed by the Legislatures of three-fourths of the several SECTION. 2. States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratifi cation may be proposed by The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and A Person charged in any State with Treason, Felony, or eight shall in any Manner affect the fi rst and fourth Clauses other Crime, who shall fl ee from Justice, and be found in in the Ninth Section of the fi rst Article; and that no State, another State, shall on Demand of the executive Author- without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage ity of the State from which he fl ed, be delivered up, to be in the Senate. 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 Conse- quence 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.]* SECTION. 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 con- cerned as well as of the Congress. The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or of any particular State. SECTION. 4. The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic Violence. C O N S T I T U T I O N O F T H E U N I T E D S T A T E S 8 Article.VI. Article.VII. All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before The Ratifi cation of the Conventions of nine States, shall the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against be suffi cient for the Establishment of this Constitution the United States under this Constitution, as under the between the States so ratifying the Same. Confederation. Done in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States States present the Seventeenth Day of September in the which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the seven and of the Independence of the United States of United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and America the Twelfth In Witness whereof We have hereunto the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing subscribed our Names, in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary Go. Washington--Presidt: notwithstanding. and deputy from Virginia The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and NEW HAMPSHIRE the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all execu- tive and judicial Offi cers, both of the United States and of John Langdon the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affi rmation, Nicholas Gilman to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever MASSACHUSETTS be required as a Qualifi cation to any Offi ce or public Trust under the United States. Nathaniel Gorham Rufus King CONNECTICUT Wm. Saml. Johnson Roger Sherman NEW YORK Alexander Hamilton NEW JERSEY Wil: Livingston David Brearley Wm. Paterson Jona: Dayton PENNSYLVANIA B Franklin Thomas Miffl in Robt Morris Geo. Clymer Thos. FitzSimons Jared Ingersoll James Wilson Gouv Morris C O N S T I T U T I O N O F T H E U N I T E D S T A T E S 9 DELAWARE In Convention Monday September 17th, 1787. Geo: Read Present Gunning Bedford jun The States of John Dickinson New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Mr. Ham- Richard Bassett ilton from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Jaco: Broom Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and MARYLAND Georgia. James McHenry Resolved, Dan of St. Thos. Jenifer That the preceeding Constitution be laid before the United Danl Carroll States in Congress assembled, and that it is the Opinion VIRGINIA of this Convention, that it should afterwards be submitted to a Convention of Delegates, chosen in each State by the John Blair- People thereof, under the Recommendation of its Legisla- James Madison Jr. ture, for their Assent and Ratifi cation; and that each Con- NORTH CAROLINA vention assenting to, and ratifying the Same, should give Notice thereof to the United States in Congress assembled. Wm. Blount Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Convention, that Richd. Dobbs Spaight as soon as the Conventions of nine States shall have ratifi ed Hu Williamson this Constitution, the United States in Congress assembled SOUTH CAROLINA should fi x a Day on which Electors should be appointed by the States which shall have ratifi ed the same, and a Day on J. Rutledge which the Electors should assemble to vote for the Presi- Charles Cotesworth Pinckney dent, and the Time and Place for commencing Proceedings Charles Pinckney under this Constitution. Pierce Butler That after such Publication the Electors should be ap- GEORGIA pointed, and the Senators and Representatives elected: That William Few the Electors should meet on the Day fi xed for the Election Abr Baldwin of the President, and should transmit their Votes certifi ed, signed, sealed and directed, as the Constitution requires, to Attest William Jackson Secretary the Secretary of the United States in Congress assembled, that the Senators and Representatives should convene at the Time and Place assigned; that the Senators should appoint a President of the Senate, for the sole Purpose of receiving, opening and counting the Votes for President; and, that after he shall be chosen, the Congress, together with the President, should, without Delay, proceed to execute this Constitution. By the unanimous Order of the Convention Go. Washington-Presidt: W. JACKSON Secretary. * Language in brackets has been changed by amendment. C O N S T I T U T I O N O F T H E U N I T E D S T A T E S 10 THE AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AS RATIFIED BY THE STATES Preambletothe AmendmentI. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of BillofRights religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridg- ing the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right Congress of the United States of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the begun and held at the City of New-York, on Government for a redress of grievances. Wednesday the fourth of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine AmendmentII. THE Conventions of a number of the States, having at A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse shall not be infringed. of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confi dence in the Government, will best AmendmentIII. ensure the benefi cent ends of its institution. No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of RESOLVED by the Senate and House of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law. Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, two thirds of both Houses concurring, that the following Articles be proposed to AmendmentIV. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, hous- the Legislatures of the several States, as amendments es, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and to the Constitution of the United States, all, or any of seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, which Articles, when ratifi ed by three fourths of the said but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affi rma- Legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes, as tion, and particularly describing the place to be searched, part of the said Constitution; viz. and the persons or things to be seized. ARTICLES in addition to, and Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, proposed AmendmentV. by Congress, and ratifi ed by the Legislatures of the No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise several States, pursuant to the fi fth Article of the infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of original Constitution. a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of (Note: The fi rst 10 amendments to the Constitution were War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for ratifi ed December 15, 1791, and form what is known as the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; the “Bill of Rights.”) 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. C O N S T I T U T I O N O F T H E U N I T E D S T A T E S 11 AmendmentVI. AmendmentXII. In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the Passed by Congress December 9, 1803. Ratifi ed June 15, 1804. right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of (Note: A portion of Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution was the State and district wherein the crime shall have been changed by the 12th Amendment.) committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and The Electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining wit- at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with nesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for his defence. for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted AmendmentVII. for as Vice-President, and of the number of votes for each, In suits at common law, where the value in controversy which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be to the seat of the government of the United States, directed preserved, and no fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise re- to the President of the Senate;-the President of the Senate examined in any Court of the United States, than according shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Represen- to the rules of the common law. tatives, open all the certifi cates 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 AmendmentVIII. majority of the whole number of Electors appointed; and if Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fi nes no person have such majority, then from the persons having imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments infl icted. the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall AmendmentIX. choose immediately, by ballot, the President. But in choos- The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, ing the President, the votes shall be taken by states, the shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained representation from each state having one vote; a quorum by the people. 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 Representa- AmendmentX. tives shall not choose a President whenever the right of The powers not delegated to the United States by the Con- choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of stitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to March next following, then the Vice-President shall act as the States respectively, or to the people. 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-Presi- AMENDMENTS 11-27 dent, 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 AmendmentXI. shall choose the Vice-President; a quorum for the purpose Passed by Congress March 4, 1794. Ratifi ed February 7, 1795. shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to (Note: A portion of Article III, Section 2 of the Constitution was a choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible to the th modifi ed by the 11 Amendment.)Amendment.) offi ce of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed of the United States. to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or pros- *Superseded by Section 3 of the 20th Amendment. ecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State. C O N S T I T U T I O N O F T H E U N I T E D S T A T E S 12 AmendmentXIII. SECTION 2. Passed by Congress January 31, 1865. Ratifi ed December 6, Representatives shall be apportioned among the several 1865. States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State, excluding Indians (Note: A portion of Article IV, Section 2 of the Constitution not taxed. But when the right to vote at any election for was changed by the 13th Amendment.) the choice of electors for President and Vice President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, the Execu- SECTION 1. tive and Judicial offi cers of a State, or the members of the Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the male inhabit- punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been ants of such State, [being twenty-one years of age,]* and duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged, except place subject to their jurisdiction. for participation in rebellion, or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion SECTION 2. which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in Congress shall have power to enforce this article by such State. appropriate legislation. SECTION 3. AmendmentXIV. No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Con- Passed by Congress June 13, 1866. Ratifi ed July 9, 1868. gress, or elector of President and Vice President, or hold (Note: Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution was modifi ed by any offi ce, civil or military, under the United States, or Section 2 of the 14th Amendment.) under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an offi cer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive SECTION 1. or judicial offi cer of any State, to support the Constitution All persons born or naturalized in the United States and of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges of each House, remove such disability. or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, SECTION 4. without due process of law; nor deny to any person within The validity of the public debt of the United States, au- its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. thorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrec- tion 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 eman- cipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void. SECTION 5. The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropri- ate legislation, the provisions of this article. *Changed by Section 1 of the 26th Amendment. C O N S T I T U T I O N O F T H E U N I T E D S T A T E S 13 AmendmentXV. AmendmentXVIII. Passed by Congress February 26, 1869. Ratifi ed February 3, 1870. Passed by Congress December 18, 1917. Ratifi ed January 16, 1919. Repealed by the 21st Amendment, December 5, 1933. SECTION 1. 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 After one year from the ratifi cation of this article the account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation SECTION 2. thereof from the United States and all territory subject to The Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby appropriate legislation. prohibited. SECTION 2. AmendmentXVI. The Congress and the several States shall have concurrent Passed by Congress July 2, 1909. Ratifi ed February 3, 1913. power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. (Note: Article I, Section 9 of the Constitution was modifi ed by the 16th Amendment.)Amendment.) SECTION 3. The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportion- ratifi ed as an amendment to the Constitution by the legisla- ment among the several States, and without regard to any tures of the several States, as provided in the Constitution, census or enumeration. within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress. AmendmentXVII. Passed by Congress May 13, 1912. Ratifi ed April 8, 1913. AmendmentXIX. Passed by Congress June 4, 1919. Ratifi ed August 18, 1920. (Note: Article I, Section 3 of the Constitution was modifi ed by the 17th Amendment.) The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two on account of sex. Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appro- in each State shall have the qualifi cations requisite for elec- priate legislation. tors 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 fi ll such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fi ll 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. C O N S T I T U T I O N O F T H E U N I T E D S T A T E S 14 AmendmentXX. SECTION 4. Passed by Congress March 2, 1932. Ratifi ed January 23, 1933. The Congress may by law provide for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the House of Representa- (Note: Article I, Section 4 of the Constitution was modifi ed tives may choose a President whenever the right of choice by Section 2 of this Amendment. In addition, a portion of the shall have devolved upon them, and for the case of the 12th Amendment was superseded by Section 3.) death of any of the persons from whom the Senate may SECTION 1. choose a Vice President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them. The terms of the President and the Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of Sena- SECTION 5. tors and Representatives at noon on the 3d day of January, of the years in which such terms would have ended if this Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect on the 15th day of Octo- article had not been ratifi ed; and the terms of their succes- ber following the ratifi cation of this article. sors shall then begin. SECTION 6. SECTION 2. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and ratifi ed as an amendment to the Constitution by the leg- such meeting shall begin at noon on the 3d day of January, islatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven unless they shall by law appoint a different day. years from the date of its submission. SECTION 3. If, at the time fi xed for the beginning of the term of the AmendmentXXI. Passed by Congress February 20, 1933. Ratifi ed December 5, President, the President elect shall have died, the Vice Presi- 1933. dent elect shall become President. If a President shall not have been chosen before the time fi xed for the beginning of SECTION 1. his term, or if the President elect shall have failed to qualify, then the Vice President elect shall act as President until a The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution President shall have qualifi ed; and the Congress may by law of the United States is hereby repealed. provide for the case wherein neither a President elect nor a Vice President shall have qualifi ed, declaring who shall then SECTION 2. act as President, or the manner in which one who is to act The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, shall be selected, and such person shall act accordingly until or possession of the United States for delivery or use therein a President or Vice President shall have qualifi ed. of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited. SECTION 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratifi ed as an amendment to the Constitution by conven- tions 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. C O N S T I T U T I O N O F T H E U N I T E D S T A T E S 15 AmendmentXXII. AmendmentXXIII. Passed by Congress March 21, 1947. Ratifi ed February 27, Passed by Congress June 16, 1960. Ratifi ed March 29, 1961. 1951. SECTION 1. SECTION 1. The District constituting the seat of Government of the No person shall be elected to the offi ce of the President United States shall appoint in such manner as Congress more than twice, and no person who has held the offi ce of may direct: President, or acted as President, for more than two years of A number of electors of President and Vice President equal a term to which some other person was elected President to the whole number of Senators and Representatives shall be elected to the offi ce of President more than once. in Congress to which the District would be entitled if it But this Article shall not apply to any person holding the were a State, but in no event more than the least populous offi ce of President when this Article was proposed by Con- State; they shall be in addition to those appointed by the gress, and shall not prevent any person who may be holding States, but they shall be considered, for the purposes of the offi ce of President, or acting as President, during the the election of President and Vice President, to be electors term within which this Article becomes operative from appointed by a State; and they shall meet in the District holding the offi ce of President or acting as President during and perform such duties as provided by the twelfth article the remainder of such term. of amendment. SECTION 2. SECTION 2. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by ratifi ed as an amendment to the Constitution by the leg- appropriate legislation. islatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission to the States by the Congress. AmendmentXXIV. Passed by Congress August 27, 1962. Ratifi ed January 23, 1964. SECTION 1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any pri- mary 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 other tax. SECTION 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. C O N S T I T U T I O N O F T H E U N I T E D S T A T E S 16 Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President AmendmentXXV. pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Passed by Congress July 6, 1965. Ratifi ed February 10, 1967. Representatives his written declaration that no inability ex- (Note: Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution was modifi ed by ists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his offi ce un- the 25th Amendment.) less the Vice President and a majority of either the principal SECTION 1. offi cers of the executive department or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit within four days In case of the removal of the President from offi ce or of to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become of the House of Representatives their written declaration President. that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his offi ce. Thereupon Congress shall decide the SECTION 2. issue, assembling within forty-eight hours for that purpose Whenever there is a vacancy in the offi ce of the Vice Presi- if not in session. If the Congress, within twenty-one days dent, the President shall nominate a Vice President who after receipt of the latter written declaration, or, if Congress shall take offi ce upon confi rmation by a majority vote of is not in session, within twenty-one days after Congress is both Houses of Congress. required to assemble, determines by two-thirds vote of both Houses that the President is unable to discharge the powers SECTION 3. and duties of his offi ce, the Vice President shall continue to discharge the same as Acting President; otherwise, the Presi- Whenever the President transmits to the President pro dent shall resume the powers and duties of his offi ce. 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 offi ce, and until AmendmentXXVI. he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, Passed by Congress March 23, 1971. Ratifi ed July 1, 1971. such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting President. (Note: Amendment 14, Section 2 of the Constitution was modifi ed by Section 1 of the 26th Amendment.) SECTION 4. SECTION 1. Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal offi cers of the executive departments or of such The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the by the United States or by any State on account of age. House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of SECTION 2. his offi ce, the Vice President shall immediately assume the The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by powers and duties of the offi ce as Acting President. appropriate legislation. AmendmentXXVII. Originally proposed Sept. 25, 1789. Ratifi ed May 7, 1992. No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an elec- tion of representatives shall have intervened. C O N S T I T U T I O N O F T H E U N I T E D S T A T E S 17 he NCC is an independent, non-partisan, nonprofi t T organization that was established in 1988 under the Constitution Heritage Act. The Center’s mission is to increase awareness and understanding of the Constitution, the Constitution’s history and its relevance to people’s daily lives. National Constitution Center 525 Arch Street Independence Mall Philadelphia, PA 19106 (215) 409-6600 www.constitutioncenter.org