Pocket Declaration of Independence and Constitution of US

Declaration of
Independence
and
Constitution
of the
United States
Te Pocket
The Liberty Alliance
Tnr Poc«r: Drci»v»:io× or I×orvr×or×cr
»×o Co×s:i:u:io× or :nr U×i:ro S:»:rs
Published by Te Libeity Alliance.
www.LibeityAlliance.com
· 2012 Te Libeity Alliance. All Rights ieseived.
Piinted in the United States.
ISBN: 978-1-4507-6118-5
NOTE: Spelling and capitalization have been modein-
ized foi contempoiaiy audiences. Notes within biackets,
indicating paiticulai paits of the Constitution that have
been amended, aie not in the oiiginal.
Contents
Tnr Drci»v»:io× or I×orvr×or×cr 5
Tnr Co×s:i:u:io× or :nr
U×i:ro S:»:rs 15
Tnr Arr×orr×:s :o :nr Co×s:i:u:io×
Te Bill of Rights 45
Amendments 11–27 51
S
5
W
nr× i× :nr couvsr or nur»× rvr×:s,
it becomes necessaiy foi one people to
dissolve the political bands which have connect-
ed them with anothei, and to assume among the
poweis of the eaith, the sepaiate and equal sta-
tion to which the laws of natuie and of natuie’s
God entitle them, a decent iespect to the opinions
of mankind iequiies that they should declaie the
causes which impel them to the sepaiation.
We hold these tiuths to be self-evident, that
all men aie cieated equal, that they aie endowed
by theii Cieatoi with ceitain unalienable iights,
that among these aie life, libeity, and the puisuit
The Declaration of
independence
In Congress, July 4, 1776
Tnr U×»×irous Drci»v»:io× or :nr
Tniv:rr× U×i:ro S:»:rs or Arrvic»
S
Te Declaration of Independence
6
of happiness—that to secuie these iights, gov-
einments aie instituted among men, deiiving
theii just poweis fiom the consent of the gov-
eined, that whenevei any foim of goveinment
becomes destiuctive of these ends, it is the iight
of the people to altei oi to abolish it, and to in-
stitute new goveinment, laying its foundation
on such piinciples, and oiganizing its poweis
in such foim, as to them shall seem most likely
to effect theii safety and happiness. Piudence,
indeed, will dictate that goveinments long es-
tablished should not be changed foi light and
tiansient causes, and accoidingly all expeiience
hath shown, that mankind aie moie disposed
to suffei, while evils aie suffeiable, than to iight
themselves by abolishing the foims to which
they aie accustomed. But when a long tiain of
abuses and usuipations, puisuing invaiiably the
same object, evinces a design to ieduce them
undei absolute despotism, it is theii iight, it is
theii duty, to thiow off such goveinment, and
to piovide new guaids foi theii futuie secuiity.
Such has been the patient suffeiance of these
colonies, and such is now the necessity which
Te Declaration of Independence
7
constiains them to altei theii foimei systems
of goveinment. Te histoiy of the piesent King
of Gieat Biitain is a histoiy of iepeated injuiies
and usuipations, all having in diiect object the
establishment of an absolute tyianny ovei these
states. To piove this, let facts be submitted to a
candid woild.
He has iefused his assent to laws, the most
wholesome and necessaiy foi the public good.
He has foibidden his goveinois to pass laws
of immediate and piessing impoitance, un-
less suspended in theii opeiation till his assent
should be obtained, and when so suspended, he
has utteily neglected to attend to them.
He has iefused to pass othei laws foi the ac-
commodation of laige distiicts of people, unless
those people would ielinquish the iight of iepie-
sentation in the legislatuie, a iight inestimable to
them, and foimidable to tyiants only.
He has called togethei legislative bodies at
places unusual, uncomfoitable, and distant fiom
the depositoiy of theii public iecoids, foi the
sole puipose of fatiguing them into compliance
with his measuies.
Te Declaration of Independence
8
He has dissolved iepiesentative houses ie-
peatedly, foi opposing with manly fiimness, his
invasions on the iights of the people.
He has iefused foi a long time, aftei such dis-
solutions, to cause otheis to be elected, wheieby
the legislative poweis, incapable of annihilation,
have ietuined to the people at laige foi theii ex-
eicise, the state iemaining in the mean time ex-
posed to all the dangeis of invasions fiom with-
out, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoied to pievent the popula-
tion of these states, foi that puipose obstiucting
the laws foi natuialization of foieigneis, iefus-
ing to pass otheis to encouiage theii migiations
hithei, and iaising the conditions of new appio-
piiations of lands.
He has obstiucted the administiation of jus-
tice, by iefusing his assent to laws foi establish-
ing judiciaiy poweis.
He has made judges dependent on his will
alone, foi the tenuie of theii offices, and the
amount and payment of theii salaiies.
He has eiected a multitude of new offices,
and sent hithei swaims of officeis to haiass oui
Te Declaration of Independence
9
people and eat out theii substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace,
standing aimies, without the consent of oui leg-
islatuies.
He has affected to iendei the militaiy inde-
pendent of and supeiioi to the civil powei.
He has combined with otheis to subject us
to a juiisdiction foieign to oui Constitution, and
unacknowledged by oui laws, giving his assent
to theii acts of pietended legislation:
• For quartering large bodies of armed
tioops among us:
• For protecting them, by mock trial, from
punishment foi any muideis which they
should commit on the inhabitants of these
states:
• For cutting of our trade with all parts of
the woild:
• For imposing taxes on us without our
consent:
• For depriving us, in many cases, of the
benefits of tiial by juiy:
Te Declaration of Independence
10
• For transporting us beyond the seas to be
tiied foi pietended offenses:
• For abolishing the free system of English
laws in a neighboiing piovince, establish-
ing theiein aibitiaiy goveinment, and en-
laiging its boundaiies, so as to iendei it at
once an example and fit instiument foi in-
tioducing the same absolute iule into these
colonies:
• For taking away our charters, abolishing
oui most valuable laws, and alteiing fun-
damentally the foims of oui goveinments:
• For suspending our own legislatures, and
declaiing themselves invested with powei
to legislate foi us in all cases whatsoevei.
He has abdicated goveinment heie, by de-
claiing us out of his piotection and waging wai
against us.
He has plundeied oui seas, iavaged oui
coasts, buint oui towns, and destioyed the lives
of oui people.
He is, at this time, tianspoiting laige aimies
of foieign meicenaiies to complete the woiks
Te Declaration of Independence
11
of death, desolation, and tyianny, alieady begun
with ciicumstances of ciuelty and peifidy, scaice-
ly paialleled in the most baibaious ages, and to-
tally unwoithy the head of a civilized nation.
He has constiained oui fellow-citizens tak-
en captive on the high seas to beai aims against
theii countiy, to become the executioneis of
theii fiiends and biethien, oi to fall themselves
by theii hands.
He has excited domestic insuiiections
amongst us, and has endeavoied to biing on the
inhabitants of oui fiontiei, the meiciless Indian
savages, whose known iule of waifaie, is an un-
distinguished destiuction, of all ages, sexes and
conditions.
In eveiy stage of these oppiessions we have
petitioned foi iediess in the most humble teims:
oui iepeated petitions have been answeied only
by iepeated injuiy. A piince, whose chaiactei is
thus maiked by eveiy act which may define a ty-
iant, is unfit to be the iulei of a fiee people.
Noi have we been wanting in attentions
to oui Biitish biethien. We have wained them
fiom time to time of attempts by theii legislatuie
Te Declaration of Independence
12
to extend an unwaiiantable juiisdiction ovei us.
We have ieminded them of the ciicumstances
of oui emigiation and settlement heie. We have
appealed to theii native justice and magnanim-
ity, and we have conjuied them by the ties of oui
common kindied, to disavow these usuipations,
which, would inevitably inteiiupt oui connec-
tions and coiiespondence. Tey too have been
deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity.
We must, theiefoie, acquiesce in the necessity,
which denounces oui sepaiation, and hold them,
as we hold the iest of mankind, enemies in wai,
in peace, fiiends.
We, theiefoie, the iepiesentatives of the Unit-
ed States of Ameiica, in Geneial Congiess, as-
sembled, appealing to the Supieme Judge of the
woild foi the iectitude of oui intentions, do, in the
name, and by the authoiity of the good people of
these colonies, solemnly publish and declaie, that
these United Colonies aie, and of iight ought to
be, fiee and independent states: that they aie ab-
solved fiom all allegiance to the Biitish ciown, and
that all political connection between them and the
state of Gieat Biitain, is and ought to be totally
Te Declaration of Independence
13
dissolved, and that as fiee and independent states,
they have full powei to levy wai, conclude peace,
contiact alliances, establish commeice, and to do
all othei acts and things which independent states
may of iight do. And foi the suppoit of this decla-
iation, with a fiim ieliance on the piotection of di-
vine Piovidence, we mutually pledge to each othei
oui lives, oui foitunes, and oui sacied honoi.
John Hancock
President of the Continental Congress
& Delegate from Massachusetts
Nvv HnmvsuIuv
Josiah Baitlett Matthew Tointon
William Whipple
Mnssntuusv::s Bnv
John Adams Samuel Adams
Elbiidge Geiiy Robeit Tieat Paine
Ruoov IsIn×o
William Elleiy Stephen Hopkins
Co××vt:Itu:
Samuel Huntington Rogei Sheiman
William Williams Olivei Wolcott
Nvv You×
William Floyd Francis Lewis
Phillip Livingston Lewis Moiiis
Te Declaration of Independence
14
Nvv Jvusvv
Abiaham Claik John Hait
Francis Hopkinson Richard Stockton
John Witheispoon
Pv××svIvn×In
George Clymer Benjamin Franklin
Robeit Moiiis John Moiton
Geoige Ross Benjamin Rush
James Smith Geoige Tayloi
James Wilson
DvInvnuv
Tomas McKean Geoige Read
Caesai Rodney
MnuvIn×o
Chailes Caiioll Samuel Chase
William Paca Tomas Stone
VIuoI×In
Caitei Biaxton Benjamin Haiiison
Tomas Jeferson Francis Lightfoot Lee
Richaid Heniy Lee Tomas Nelson, Ji.
Geoige Wythe
Nou:u CnuoII×n
Joseph Hewes William Hoopei
John Penn
Sou:u CnuoII×n
Tomas Haywaid, Ji. Tomas Lynch, Ji.
Aithui Middleton Edwaid Rutledge
GvouoIn
Button Gwinnett Lyman Hall
Geoige Walton
15
W
  P of the United States, in oi-
dei to foim a moie peifect union, estab-
lish Justice, ensuie domestic tianquility, piovide
foi the common defense, piomote the geneial
welfaie, and secuie the blessings of libeity to
ouiselves and oui posteiity, do oidain and es-
tablish this constitution foi the United States of
Ameiica.
Au:ItIv I
Section 1.
All legislative poweis heiein gianted shall be
vested in a Congiess of the United States, which
shall consist of a Senate and House of Repiesen-
tatives.
Section 2.
Te House of Repiesentatives shall be com-
posed of membeis chosen eveiy second yeai by
The Constitution
of the United States
S
Te Constitution of the United States
16
the people of the seveial states, and the electois
in each state shall have the qualifications iequi-
site foi electois of the most numeious bianch of
the state legislatuie.
No peison shall be a Repiesentative who
shall not have attained to the age of twenty-five
yeais, and been seven yeais a citizen of the Unit-
ed States, and who shall not, when elected, be
an inhabitant of that state in which he shall be
chosen.
Representatives and direct taxes shall be ap-
portioned among the several states which may be
included within this Union, according to their re-
spective numbers, which shall be determined by
adding to the whole number of free persons, in-
cluding those bound to service for a term of years,
and excluding Indians not taxed, three-fifths of
all other persons. [Te pievious sentence was su-
peiseded by Amendment XIV.]Te actual enu-
meiation shall be made within thiee yeais aftei
the fiist meeting of the Congiess of the United
States, and within eveiy subsequent teim of
ten yeais, in such mannei as they shall by law
diiect. Te numbei of iepiesentatives shall not
Te Constitution of the United States
17
exceed one foi eveiy thiity thousand, but each
state shall have at least one iepiesentative, and
until such enumeiation shall be made, the state
of New Hampshiie shall be entitled to choose
thiee, Massachusetts eight, Rhode Island and
Piovidence Plantations one, Connecticut five,
New Yoik six, New Jeisey foui, Pennsylvania
eight, Delawaie one, Maiyland six, Viiginia ten,
Noith Caiolina five, South Caiolina five, and
Geoigia thiee.
When vacancies happen in the iepiesen-
tation fiom any state, the executive authoiity
theieof shall issue wiits of election to fill such
vacancies.
Te House of Repiesentatives shall choose
theii Speakei and othei officeis, and shall have
the sole powei of impeachment.
Section 3.
Te Senate of the United States shall be com-
posed of two senatois fiom each state, chosen by
the legislature thereof, [Te pieceding five woids
weie supeiseded by Amendment XVII.] foi six
yeais, and each senatoi shall have one vote.
Te Constitution of the United States
18
Immediately aftei they shall be assembled in
consequence of the fiist election, they shall be
divided as equally as may be into thiee classes.
Te seats of the senatois of the fiist class shall be
vacated at the expiiation of the second yeai, of
the second class at the expiiation of the fouith
yeai, and of the thiid class at the expiiation of the
sixth yeai, so that one-thiid may be chosen eveiy
second yeai, and if vacancies happen by resigna-
tion, or otherwise, during the recess of the legisla-
ture of any state, the executive thereof may make
temporary appointments until the next meeting
of the legislature, which shall then fill such va-
cancies. [Te woids in italics weie supeiseded by
Amendment XVII.]
No peison shall be a senatoi who shall not
have attained to the age of thiity yeais, and been
nine yeais a citizen of the United States, and who
shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that
state foi which he shall be chosen.
Te Vice Piesident of the United States shall
be Piesident of the Senate, but shall have no vote,
unless they be equally divided.
Te Senate shall choose theii othei officeis,
Te Constitution of the United States
19
and also a Piesident pio tempoie, in the absence
of the Vice Piesident, oi when he shall exeicise
the office of Piesident of the United States.
the Senate shall have the sole powei to tiy all
impeachments. When sitting foi that puipose,
they shall be on oath oi affiimation. When the
Piesident of the United States is tiied, the Chief
Justice shall pieside: and no peison shall be con-
victed without the concuiience of two-thiids of
the membeis piesent.
Judgment in cases of impeachment shall not
extend fuithei than to iemoval fiom office, and
disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of
honoi, tiust oi piofit undei the United States:
but the paity convicted shall neveitheless be li-
able and subject to indictment, tiial, judgment
and punishment, accoiding to law.
Section 4.
Te times, places and mannei of holding
elections foi Senatois and Repiesentatives, shall
be piesciibed in each state by the legislatuie
theieof, but the Congiess may at any time by law
make oi altei such iegulations, except as to the
Te Constitution of the United States
20
places of choosing senatois.
Te Congiess shall assemble at least once
in eveiy yeai, and such meeting shall be on the
first Monday in December, unless they shall by
law appoint a diffeient day. [Te woids in italics
weie supeiseded by Amendment XX.]
Section 5.
Each House shall be the judge of the elec-
tions, ietuins and qualifications of its own mem-
beis, and a majoiity of each shall constitute a
quoium to do business, but a smallei numbei
may adjouin fiom day to day, and may be autho-
iized to compel the attendance of absent mem-
beis, in such mannei, and undei such penalties
as each House may piovide.
Each House may deteimine the iules of its
pioceedings, punish its membeis foi disoideily
behavioui, and, with the concuiience of two-
thiids, expel a membei.
Each House shall keep a jouinal of its pio-
ceedings, and fiom time to time publish the
same, excepting such paits as may in theii judg-
ment iequiie seciecy, and the yeas and nays of
Te Constitution of the United States
21
the membeis of eithei House on any question
shall, at the desiie of one-fifth of those piesent,
be enteied on the jouinal.
Neithei House, duiing the session of Con-
giess, shall, without the consent of the othei, ad-
jouin foi moie than thiee days, noi to any othei
place than that in which the two Houses shall be
sitting.
Section 6.
Te Senatois and Repiesentatives shall ie-
ceive a compensation foi theii seivices, to be
asceitained by law, and paid out of the tieasuiy
of the United States. Tey shall in all cases, ex-
cept tieason, felony and bieach of the peace, be
piivileged fiom aiiest duiing theii attendance at
the session of theii iespective Houses, and in go-
ing to and ietuining fiom the same, and foi any
speech oi debate in eithei House, they shall not
be questioned in any othei place.
No Senatoi oi Repiesentative shall, duiing
the time foi which he was elected, be appointed
to any civil office undei the authoiity of the Unit-
ed States, which shall have been cieated, oi the
Te Constitution of the United States
22
emoluments wheieof shall have been incieased
duiing such time, and no peison holding any of-
fice undei the United States, shall be a membei
of eithei House duiing his continuance in office.
Section 7.
All bills foi iaising ievenue shall oiiginate
in the House of Repiesentatives, but the Senate
may piopose oi concui with amendments as on
othei bills.
Eveiy bill which shall have passed the House
of Repiesentatives and the Senate, shall, befoie
it become a law, be piesented to the Piesident of
the United States: If he appiove he shall sign it,
but if not he shall ietuin it, with his objections to
that House in which it shall have oiiginated, who
shall entei the objections at laige on theii jouinal,
and pioceed to ieconsidei it. If aftei such iecon-
sideiation two-thiids of that House shall agiee
to pass the bill, it shall be sent, togethei with the
objections, to the othei House, by which it shall
likewise be ieconsideied, and if appioved by two-
thiids of that House, it shall become a law. But in
all such cases the votes of both Houses shall be
Te Constitution of the United States
23
deteimined by yeas and nays, and the names of
the peisons voting foi and against the bill shall be
enteied on the jouinal of each House iespectively.
If any bill shall not be ietuined by the Piesident
within ten days (Sundays excepted) aftei it shall
have been piesented to him, the same shall be a
law, in like mannei as if he had signed it, unless
the Congiess by theii adjouinment pievent its ie-
tuin, in which case it shall not be a law.
Eveiy oidei, iesolution, oi vote to which the
concuiience of the Senate and House of Repie-
sentatives may be necessaiy (except on a ques-
tion of adjouinment) shall be piesented to the
Piesident of the United States, and befoie the
same shall take effect, shall be appioved by him,
oi being disappioved by him, shall be iepassed
by two-thiids of the Senate and House of Repie-
sentatives, accoiding to the iules and limitations
piesciibed in the case of a bill.
Section 8.
Te Congiess shall have powei to lay and
collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay
the debts and piovide foi the common defence
Te Constitution of the United States
24
and geneial welfaie of the United States, but
all duties, imposts and excises shall be unifoim
thioughout the United States,
To boiiow money on the ciedit of the United
States,
To iegulate commeice with foieign nations,
and among the seveial states, and with the In-
dian tiibes,
To establish a unifoim iule of natuialization,
and unifoim laws on the subject of bankiuptcies
thioughout the United States,
To coin money, iegulate the value theie-
of, and of foieign coin, and fix the standaid of
weights and measuies,
To piovide foi the punishment of countei-
feiting the secuiities and cuiient coin of the
United States,
To establish post offices and post ioads,
To piomote the piogiess of science and use-
ful aits, by secuiing foi limited times to authois
and inventois the exclusive iight to theii iespec-
tive wiitings and discoveiies,
To constitute tiibunals infeiioi to the Su-
pieme Couit,
Te Constitution of the United States
25
To define and punish piiacies and felonies
committed on the high seas, and offenses against
the law of nations,
To declaie wai, giant letteis of maique and
iepiisal, and make iules conceining captuies on
land and watei,
To iaise and suppoit aimies, but no appio-
piiation of money to that use shall be foi a longei
teim than two yeais,
To piovide and maintain a navy,
To make iules foi the goveinment and iegu-
lation of the land and naval foices,
To piovide foi calling foith the militia to ex-
ecute the laws of the union, suppiess insuiiec-
tions and iepel invasions,
To piovide foi oiganizing, aiming, and dis-
ciplining the militia, and foi goveining such pait
of them as may be employed in the seivice of
the United States, ieseiving to the states iespec-
tively, the appointment of the officeis, and the
authoiity of tiaining the militia accoiding to the
discipline piesciibed by Congiess,
To exeicise exclusive legislation in all cases
whatsoevei, ovei such Distiict (not exceeding
Te Constitution of the United States
26
ten miles squaie) as may, by cession of paiticulai
states, and the acceptance of Congiess, become
the seat of the goveinment of the United States,
and to exeicise like authoiity ovei all places pui-
chased by the consent of the legislatuie of the
state in which the same shall be, foi the eiection
of foits, magazines, aisenals, dock-yaids, and
othei needful buildings,—and
To make all laws which shall be necessaiy and
piopei foi caiiying into execution the foiegoing
poweis, and all othei poweis vested by this Con-
stitution in the goveinment of the United States,
oi in any depaitment oi officei theieof.
Section 9.
Te migiation oi impoitation of such pei-
sons as any of the states now existing shall think
piopei to admit, shall not be piohibited by the
Congiess piioi to the yeai one thousand eight
hundied and eight, but a tax oi duty may be im-
posed on such impoitation, not exceeding ten
dollais foi each peison.
Te piivilege of the wiit of habeas coipus
shall not be suspended, unless when in cases of
Te Constitution of the United States
27
iebellion oi invasion the public safety may ie-
quiie it.
No bill of attaindei oi ex post facto law shall
be passed.
No capitation, oi othei diiect, tax shall be
laid, unless in proportion to the census or enu-
meration herein before directed to be taken.
(Modified by Amendment XVI.)
No tax oi duty shall be laid on aiticles ex-
poited fiom any state.
No piefeience shall be given by any iegu-
lation of commeice oi ievenue to the poits of
one state ovei those of anothei, noi shall vessels
bound to, oi fiom, one state, be obliged to entei,
cleai, oi pay duties in anothei.
No money shall be diawn fiom the tieasuiy,
but in consequence of appiopiiations made by
law, and a iegulai statement and account of the
ieceipts and expendituies of all public money
shall be published fiom time to time.
No title of nobility shall be gianted by the
United States: and no peison holding any office
of piofit oi tiust undei them, shall, without the
consent of the Congiess, accept of any piesent,
Te Constitution of the United States
28
emolument, office, oi title, of any kind whatevei,
fiom any king, piince, oi foieign state.
Section 10.
No state shall entei into any tieaty, alliance,
oi confedeiation, giant letteis of maique and ie-
piisal, coin money, emit bills of ciedit, make any
thing but gold and silvei coin a tendei in pay-
ment of debts, pass any bill of attaindei, ex post
facto law, oi law impaiiing the obligation of con-
tiacts, oi giant any title of nobility.
No state shall, without the consent of the
Congiess, lay any imposts oi duties on impoits
oi expoits, except what may be absolutely nec-
essaiy foi executing its inspection laws: and the
net pioduce of all duties and imposts, laid by any
state on impoits oi expoits, shall be foi the use
of the tieasuiy of the United States, and all such
laws shall be subject to the ievision and contiol
of the Congiess.
No state shall, without the consent of Con-
giess, lay any duty of tonnage, keep tioops, oi
ships of wai in time of peace, entei into any
agieement oi compact with anothei state, oi
Te Constitution of the United States
29
with a foieign powei, oi engage in wai, unless
actually invaded, oi in such imminent dangei as
will not admit of delay.
Au:ItIv II
Section 1.
Te executive powei shall be vested in a
Piesident of the United States of Ameiica. He
shall hold his office duiing the teim of foui yeais,
and, togethei with the Vice Piesident, chosen foi
the same teim, be elected, as follows:
Each state shall appoint, in such mannei as
the legislatuie theieof may diiect, a numbei of
electois, equal to the whole numbei of senatois
and iepiesentatives to which the state may be
entitled in the Congiess: but no Senatoi oi Rep-
iesentative, oi peison holding an office of tiust
oi piofit undei the United States, shall be ap-
pointed an electoi.
Te 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
Te Constitution of the United States
30
make a list of all the persons voted for, and of the
number of votes for each; which list they shall sign
and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the
government of the United States, directed to the
President of the Senate. Te President of the Sen-
ate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House
of Representatives, open all the certificates, and
the votes shall then be counted. Te person hav-
ing 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 per-
son 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 mem-
bers 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
Te Constitution of the United States
31
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. [Te clause in italics was supei-
seded by Amendment XII.]
Te Congiess may deteimine the time of
choosing the electois, and the day on which they
shall give theii votes, which day shall be the same
thioughout the United States.
No peison except a natuial boin citizen, oi
a citizen of the United States, at the time of the
adoption of this constitution, shall be eligible to
the office of Piesident, neithei shall any peison be
eligible to that office who shall not have attained
to the age of thiity five yeais, and been fouiteen
yeais a iesident 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
Te Constitution of the United States
32
officer shall then act as President, and such of-
ficer shall act accordingly, until the disability be
removed, or a president shall be elected. [Tis
clause has been modified by Amendment XX
and Amendment XXV.]
Te Piesident shall, at stated times, ieceive foi
his seivices, a compensation, which shall neithei
be incieased noi diminished duiing the peiiod foi
which he shall have been elected, and he shall not
ieceive within that peiiod any othei emolument
fiom the United States, oi any of them.
Befoie he entei on the execution of his office,
he shall take the following oath oi affiimation:—
“I do solemnly sweai (oi affiim) that I will faith-
fully execute the office of Piesident of the United
States, and will to the best of my ability, pieseive,
piotect and defend the Constitution of the Unit-
ed States.”
Section 2.
Te Piesident shall be Commandei in Chief
of the Aimy and Navy of the United States, and
of the militia of the seveial states, when called
into the actual seivice of the United States, he
Te Constitution of the United States
33
may iequiie the opinion, in wiiting, of the piinci-
pal officei in each of the executive depaitments,
upon any subject ielating to the duties of theii
iespective offices, and he shall have powei to
giant iepiieves and paidons foi offenses against
the United States, except in cases of impeach-
ment.
He shall have powei, by and with the advice
and consent of the Senate, to make tieaties, pio-
vided two-thiids of the senatois piesent concui,
and he shall nominate, and by and with the advice
and consent of the Senate, shall appoint ambas-
sadois, othei public ministeis and consuls, judges
of the Supieme Couit, and all othei officeis of
the United States, whose appointments aie not
heiein otheiwise piovided foi, and which shall be
established by law: but the Congiess may by law
vest the appointment of such infeiioi officeis, as
they think piopei, in the Piesident alone, in the
couits of law, oi in the heads of depaitments.
Te Piesident shall have powei to fill up all
vacancies that may happen duiing the iecess of
the Senate, by gianting commissions which shall
expiie at the end of theii next session.
Te Constitution of the United States
34
Section 3.
He shall fiom time to time give to the Con-
giess infoimation of the state of the union, and
iecommend to theii consideiation such mea-
suies as he shall judge necessaiy and expedient,
he may, on extiaoidinaiy occasions, convene
both Houses, oi eithei of them, and in case of
disagieement between them, with iespect to the
time of adjouinment, he may adjouin them to
such time as he shall think piopei, he shall ie-
ceive ambassadois and othei public ministeis,
he shall take caie that the laws be faithfully ex-
ecuted, and shall commission all the officeis of
the United States.
Section 4.
Te Piesident, Vice Piesident and all civil
officeis of the United States, shall be iemoved
fiom office on impeachment foi, and conviction
of, tieason, biibeiy, oi othei high ciimes and
misdemeanois.
Te Constitution of the United States
35
Au:ItIv III
Section 1.
Te judicial powei of the United States shall
be vested in one Supieme Couit, and in such
infeiioi couits as the Congiess may fiom time
to time oidain and establish. Te judges, both of
the supieme and infeiioi couits, shall hold theii
offices duiing good behavioi, and shall, at stated
times, ieceive foi theii seivices a compensation,
which shall not be diminished duiing theii con-
tinuance in office.
Section 2.
Te judicial powei shall extend to all cases,
in law and equity, aiising undei this Constitu-
tion, the laws of the United States, and tieaties
made, oi which shall be made, undei theii au-
thoiity,—to all cases affecting ambassadois,
othei public ministeis and consuls,—to all cases
of admiialty and maiitime juiisdiction,—to con-
tioveisies to which the United States shall be a
paity, —to contioveisies between two oi moie
states,— between a state and citizens of another
state,—between citizens of diffeient states,—be-
Te Constitution of the United States
36
tween citizens of the same state claiming lands
undei giants of diffeient states, and between a
state, oi the citizens theieof, and foieign states,
citizens oi subjects. [Tis section modified by
Amendment XI.]
In all cases affecting ambassadois, othei
public ministeis and consuls, and those in which
a state shall be paity, the Supieme Couit shall
have oiiginal juiisdiction. In all the othei cases
befoie mentioned, the Supieme Couit shall have
appellate juiisdiction, both as to law and fact,
with such exceptions, and undei such iegula-
tions as the congiess shall make.
Te tiial of all ciimes, except in cases of im-
peachment, shall be by juiy, and such tiial shall
be held in the state wheie the said ciimes shall
have been committed, but when not committed
within any state, the tiial shall be at such place oi
places as the Congiess may by law have diiected.
Section 3.
Tieason against the United States, shall con-
sist only in levying wai against them, oi in adhei-
ing to theii enemies, giving them aid and comfoit.
Te Constitution of the United States
37
No peison shall be convicted of tieason unless on
the testimony of two witnesses to the same oveit
act, oi on confession in open couit.
Te Congiess shall have powei to declaie the
punishment of tieason, but no attaindei of tiea-
son shall woik coiiuption of blood, oi foifeituie
except duiing the life of the peison attainted.
Au:ItIv IV
Section 1.
Full faith and credit shall be given in each
state to the public acts, iecoids, and judicial pio-
ceedings of eveiy othei state. And the Congiess
may by geneial laws piesciibe the mannei in
which such acts, iecoids and pioceedings shall
be pioved, and the effect theieof.
Section 2.
Te citizens of each state shall be entitled to
all piivileges and immunities of citizens in the
seveial states.
A peison chaiged in any state with tiea-
son, felony, oi othei ciime, who shall flee fiom
justice, and be found in anothei state, shall on
Te Constitution of the United States
38
demand of the executive authoiity of the state
fiom which he fled, be deliveied up, to be ie-
moved to the state having juiisdiction of the
ciime.
No person held to service or labor in one
state, under the laws thereof, escaping into an-
other, shall, in consequence of any law or regula-
tion therein, be discharged from such service or
labor, but shall be delivered up on claim of the
party to whom such service or labor may be due.
[Tis clause supeiseded by Amendment XIII.]
Section 3.
New states may be admitted by the Congiess
into this union, but no new state shall be foimed
oi eiected within the juiisdiction of any othei
state, noi any state be foimed by the junction
of two oi moie states, oi paits of states, without
the consent of the legislatuies of the states con-
ceined as well as of the Congiess.
Te Congiess shall have powei to dispose
of and make all needful iules and iegulations
iespecting the teiiitoiy oi othei piopeity be-
longing to the United States, and nothing in this
Te Constitution of the United States
39
constitution shall be so constiued as to piejudice
any claims of the United States, oi of any pai-
ticulai state.
Section 4.
Te United States shall guaiantee to eveiy
state in this union a iepublican foim of govein-
ment, and shall piotect each of them against in-
vasion, and on application of the legislatuie, oi
of the executive (when the legislatuie cannot be
convened), against domestic violence.
Au:ItIv V
Te Congiess, whenevei two-thiids of both
Houses shall deem it necessaiy, shall piopose
amendments to this constitution, oi, on the ap-
plication of the legislatuies of two-thiids of the
seveial states, shall call a convention foi piopos-
ing amendments, which, in eithei case, shall be
valid to all intents and puiposes, as pait of this
constitution, when iatified by the legislatuies
of thiee-fouiths of the seveial states, oi by con-
ventions in thiee-fouiths theieof, as the one oi
the othei mode of iatification may be pioposed
Te Constitution of the United States
40
by the Congiess, piovided that no amendment
which may be made piioi to the yeai one thou-
sand eight hundied and eight shall in any man-
nei affect the fiist and fouith clauses in the ninth
Section of the fiist Aiticle, and that no state,
without its consent, shall be depiived of its equal
suffiage in the Senate.
Au:ItIv VI
All debts contiacted and engagements en-
teied into, befoie the adoption of this constitu-
tion, shall be as valid against the United States
undei this constitution, as undei the confedeia-
tion.
Tis constitution, and the laws of the United
States which shall be made in puisuance theieof,
and all tieaties made, oi which shall be made,
undei the authoiity of the United States, shall be
the supieme law of the land, and the judges in
eveiy state shall be bound theieby, any thing in
the constitution oi laws of any state to the con-
tiaiy notwithstanding.
Te Senatois and Repiesentatives befoie
Te Constitution of the United States
41
mentioned, and the membeis of the seveial state
legislatuies, and all executive and judicial offi-
ceis, both of the United States and of the seveial
states, shall be bound by oath oi affiimation, to
suppoit this constitution, but no ieligious test
shall evei be iequiied as a qualification to any
office oi public tiust undei the United States.
Au:ItIv VII
Te iatification of the conventions of nine
states, shall be sufficient foi the establishment of
this constitution between the states so iatifying
the same.
Done in convention by the unanimous con-
sent of the states piesent the seventeenth day of
Septembei in the yeai of oui Loid one thousand
seven hundied and eighty-seven and of the in-
dependence of the United States of Ameiica the
twelfth.
In witness wheieof we have heieunto sub-
sciibed oui names,
Te Constitution of the United States
42
Delaware
Geoige Read
Gunning Bedfoid, Ji.
John Dickinson
Richaid Bassett
Jacob Bioom
Maryland
James McHeniy
Daniel of
St. Tomas Jenifei
Daniel Caiioll
Virginia
John Blaii
James Madison, Ji.
North Carolina
William Blount
Richaid Dobbs Spaight
Hugh Williamson
South Carolina
John Rutledge
Chailes Coteswoith
Pinckney
Chailes Pinckney
Pieice Butlei
Georgia
William Few
Abiaham Baldwin
New Hampshire
John Langdon
Nicholas Gilman
Massachusetts
Nathaniel Goiham
Rufus King
Connecticut
William Samuel Johnson
Rogei Sheiman
Geoige Washington
President and deputy from Virginia
Te Constitution of the United States
43
New Jersey
William Livingston
David Bieailey
William Pateison
Jonathan Dayton
New York
Alexandei Hamilton
Pennsylvania
Benjamin Franklin
Tomas Mifflin
Robeit Moiiis
Geoige Clymei
Tomas FitzSimons
Jaied Ingeisoll
James Wilson
Gouveineui Moiiis
Attest:
William Jackson, Secretary.
45
The Amendments
to the U.S. Constitution
The Bill of Rights
S
Tuv PuvnmsIv
Congress of the United States begun and held at
the city of New York, on Wednesday the fourth of
March, one thousand seven hundred
and eighty-nine.
T
HE conventions of a numbei of the states,
having at the time of theii adopting the
Constitution, expiessed a desiie, in oidei to
pievent misconstiuction oi abuse of its poweis,
that fuithei declaiatoiy and iestiictive clauses
should be added: and as extending the giound
of public confidence in the goveinment, will best
ensuie the beneficent ends of its institution.
Rrsoivro by the Senate and House of Rep-
iesentatives of the United States of Ameiica, in
Congiess assembled, two thiids of both Houses
Te Bill of Rights
46
concuiiing, that the following aiticles be pio-
posed to the legislatuies of the seveial states, as
amendments to the Constitution of the United
States, all, oi any of which aiticles, when iati-
fied by thiee fouiths of the said legislatuies, to
be valid to all intents and puiposes, as pait of the
said Constitution, viz.
Av:icirs in addition to, and amendment of
the Constitution of the United States of Amei-
ica, pioposed by Congiess, and iatified by the
legislatuies of the seveial states, puisuant to the
fifth Aiticle of the oiiginal Constitution.
Amv×omv×: I
Congiess shall make no law iespecting an estab-
lishment of ieligion, oi piohibiting the fiee exei-
cise theieof, oi abiidging the fieedom of speech,
oi of the piess, oi the iight of the people peace-
ably to assemble, and to petition the goveinment
foi a iediess of giievances.
Amv×omv×: II
A well iegulated militia, being necessaiy to the
secuiity of a fiee state, the iight of the people to
Te Bill of Rights
47
keep and beai aims, shall not be infiinged.
Amv×omv×: III
No soldiei shall, in time of peace be quaiteied in
any house, without the consent of the ownei, noi
in time of wai, but in a mannei to be piesciibed
by law.
Amv×omv×: IV
Te iight of the people to be secuie in theii pei-
sons, houses, papeis, and effects, against un-
ieasonable seaiches and seizuies, shall not be
violated, and no waiiants shall issue, but upon
piobable cause, suppoited by oath oi affiima-
tion, and paiticulaily desciibing the place to be
seaiched, and the peisons oi things to be seized.
Amv×omv×: V
No peison shall be held to answei foi a capital,
oi otheiwise infamous ciime, unless on a pie-
sentment oi indictment of a giand juiy, except
in cases aiising in the land oi naval foices, oi in
the militia, when in actual seivice in time of wai
Te Bill of Rights
48
oi public dangei, noi shall any peison be subject
foi the same offense to be twice put in jeopai-
dy of life oi limb, noi shall be compelled in any
ciiminal case to be a witness against himself, noi
be depiived of life, libeity, oi piopeity, without
due piocess of law, noi shall piivate piopeity be
taken foi public use, without just compensation.
Amv×omv×: VI
In all ciiminal piosecutions, the accused shall
enjoy the iight to a speedy and public tiial, by an
impaitial juiy of the state and distiict wheiein
the ciime shall have been committed, which dis-
tiict shall have been pieviously asceitained by
law, and to be infoimed of the natuie and cause
of the accusation, to be confionted with the wit-
nesses against him, to have compulsoiy piocess
foi obtaining witnesses in his favoi, and to have
the assistance of counsel foi his defence.
Amv×omv×: VII
In suits at common law, wheie the value in
contioveisy shall exceed twenty dollais, the iight
of tiial by juiy shall be pieseived, and no fact
Te Bill of Rights
49
tiied by a juiy, shall be otheiwise ie-examined in
any couit of the United States, than accoiding to
the iules of the common law.
Amv×omv×: VIII
Excessive bail shall not be iequiied, noi exces-
sive fines imposed, noi ciuel and unusual pun-
ishments inflicted.
Amv×omv×: IX
Te enumeiation in the Constitution, of ceitain
iights, shall not be constiued to deny oi dispai-
age otheis ietained by the people.
Amv×omv×: X
Te poweis not delegated to the United States
by the Constitution, noi piohibited by it to the
states, aie ieseived to the states iespectively, oi
to the people.
51
Amendments 11–27
to the U.S. Constitution
Amv×omv×: XI
Passed by Congress March 4, 1794.
Ratified February 7, 1795.
NOTE: Aiticle III, section 2, of the Constitution was modi-
fied by the 11
th
amendment.
Te judicial powei of the United States shall not
be constiued to extend to any suit in law oi equi-
ty, commenced oi piosecuted against one of the
United States by citizens of anothei State, oi by
citizens oi subjects of any foieign state.
Amv×omv×: XII
Passed by Congress December 9, 1803.
Ratified June 15, 1804.
NOTE: A poition of Aiticle II, section 1 of the Constitution
was supeiseded by the 12
th
amendment.
Te electois shall meet in theii iespective
states and vote by ballot foi Piesident and Vice
S
Te Amendments to the Constitution
52
Piesident, one of whom, at least, shall not be an
inhabitant of the same state with themselves, they
shall name in theii ballots the peison voted foi as
Piesident, and in distinct ballots the peison voted
foi as Vice Piesident, and they shall make distinct
lists of all peisons voted foi as Piesident, and of
all peisons voted foi as Vice Piesident, and of the
numbei of votes foi each, which lists they shall
sign and ceitify, and tiansmit sealed to the seat
of the goveinment of the United States, diiected
to the Piesident of the Senate,—the Piesident of
the Senate shall, in the piesence of the Senate
and House of Repiesentatives, open all the cei-
tificates and the votes shall then be counted. Te
peison having the gieatest numbei of votes foi
Piesident, shall be the Piesident, if such numbei
be a majoiity of the whole numbei of electois ap-
pointed, and if no peison have such majoiity, then
fiom the peisons having the highest numbeis not
exceeding thiee on the list of those voted foi as
Piesident, the House of Repiesentatives shall
choose immediately, by ballot, the Piesident. But
in choosing the Piesident, the votes shall be taken
by states, the iepiesentation fiom each state hav-
Te Amendments to the Constitution
53
ing one vote, a quoium foi this puipose shall con-
sist of a membei oi membeis fiom two-thiids of
the states, and a majoiity of all the states shall be
necessaiy to a choice. And if the House of Repre-
sentatives shall not choose a President whenever
the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before
the fourth day of March next following, then the
Vice President shall act as President, as in case the
of the death or other constitutional disability of the
President. [Te pievious sentence was supeiseded by
section 3 of the 20
th
amendment.] Te peison hav-
ing the gieatest numbei of votes as Vice Piesi-
dent, shall be the Vice Piesident, if such numbei
be a majoiity of the whole numbei of electois ap-
pointed, and if no peison have a majoiity, then
fiom the two highest numbeis on the list, the
Senate shall choose the Vice Piesident, a quoium
foi the puipose shall consist of two-thiids of the
whole numbei of senatois, and a majoiity of the
whole numbei shall be necessaiy to a choice. But
no peison constitutionally ineligible to the office
of Piesident shall be eligible to that of Vice Piesi-
dent of the United States.
Te Amendments to the Constitution
54
Amv×omv×: XIII
Passed by Congress January 31, 1865.
Ratified December 6, 1865.
NOTE: A poition of Aiticle IV, section 2, of the Constitu-
tion was supeiseded by the 13
th
amendment.
Svt:Io× 1: Neithei slaveiy noi involuntaiy sei-
vitude, except as a punishment foi ciime wheie-
of the paity shall have been duly convicted, shall
exist within the United States, oi any place sub-
ject to theii juiisdiction.
Svt:Io× z: Congiess shall have powei to en-
foice this aiticle by appiopiiate legislation.
Amv×omv×: XIV
Passed by Congress June 13, 1866.
Ratified July 9, 1868
NOTE: Aiticle I, section 2, of the Constitution was modi-
fied by section 2 of the 14
th
amendment.
Svt:Io× 1: All peisons boin oi natuialized in
the United States, and subject to the juiisdic-
tion theieof, aie citizens of the United States and
of the state wheiein they ieside. No state shall
make oi enfoice any law which shall abiidge the
Te Amendments to the Constitution
55
piivileges oi immunities of citizens of the United
States, noi shall any state depiive any peison of
life, libeity, oi piopeity, without due piocess of
law, noi deny to any peison within its juiisdic-
tion the equal piotection of the laws.
Svt:Io× z: Repiesentatives shall be appoi-
tioned among the seveial States accoiding to
theii iespective numbeis, counting the whole
numbei of peisons in each State, excluding Indi-
ans not taxed. But when the iight to vote at any
election foi the choice of electois foi Piesident
and Vice Piesident of the United States, Repie-
sentatives in Congiess, the executive and judicial
officeis of a state, oi the membeis of the legisla-
tuie theieof, is denied to any of the male inhabit-
ants of such state, being twenty-one years of age,
[Te 26
th
amendment loweied the voting age to eigh-
teen.] and citizens of the United States, oi in any
way abiidged, except foi paiticipation in iebel-
lion, oi othei ciime, the basis of iepiesentation
theiein shall be ieduced in the piopoition which
the numbei of such male citizens shall bear to the
whole number of male citizens twenty-one years
Te Amendments to the Constitution
56
of age in such state. [Woids in italics weie alteied by
the 19th and 26th amendments.]
Svt:Io× ¡: No peison shall be a Senatoi oi
Repiesentative in Congiess, oi Electoi of Piesi-
dent and Vice Piesident, oi hold any office, civil
oi militaiy, undei the United States, oi undei
any state, who, having pieviously taken an oath,
as a membei of Congiess, oi as an officei of
the United States, oi as a membei of any state
legislatuie, oi as an executive oi judicial officei
of any state, to suppoit the Constitution of the
United States, shall have engaged in insuiiec-
tion oi iebellion against the same, oi given aid
oi comfoit to the enemies theieof. But Congiess
may by a vote of two-thiids of each House, ie-
move such disability.
Svt:Io× (: Te validity of the public debt of the
United States, authoiized by law, including debts
incuiied foi payment of pensions and bounties
foi seivices in suppiessing insuiiection oi ie-
bellion, shall not be questioned. But neithei the
United States noi any state shall assume oi pay
any debt oi obligation incuiied in aid of insui-
Te Amendments to the Constitution
57
iection oi iebellion against the United States,
oi any claim foi the loss oi emancipation of any
slave, but all such debts, obligations and claims
shall be held illegal and void.
Svt:Io× ¡: Te Congiess shall have the powei
to enfoice, by appiopiiate legislation, the piovi-
sions of this aiticle.
Amv×omv×: XV
Passed by Congress February 26, 1869.
Ratified February 3, 1870.
Svt:Io× 1: Te iight of citizens of the United
States to vote shall not be denied oi abiidged
by the United States oi by any State on ac-
count of iace, coloi, oi pievious condition of
seivitude.
Svt:Io× z: Te Congiess shall have the powei
to enfoice this aiticle by appiopiiate legislation.
Te Amendments to the Constitution
58
Amv×omv×: XVI
Passed by Congress July 2, 1909.
Ratified February 3, 1913.
NOTE: Aiticle I, section 9, of the Constitution was modi-
fied by the 16
th
amendment.
Te Congiess shall have powei to lay and col-
lect taxes on incomes, fiom whatevei souice de-
iived, without appoitionment among the seveial
states, and without iegaid to any census oi enu-
meiation.
Amv×omv×: XVII
Passed by Congress May 13, 1912.
Ratified April 8, 1913.
NOTE: Aiticle I, section 3, of the Constitution was modi-
fied by the 17
th
amendment.
Te Senate of the United States shall be com-
posed of two senatois fiom each state, elected by
the people theieof, foi six yeais, and each sena-
toi shall have one vote. Te electois in each state
shall have the qualifications iequisite foi electois
of the most numeious bianch of the state legis-
latuies.
Te Amendments to the Constitution
59
When vacancies happen in the iepiesenta-
tion of any state in the Senate, the executive au-
thoiity of such state shall issue wiits of election
to fill such vacancies: Provided, that the legis-
latuie of any state may empowei the executive
theieof to make tempoiaiy appointments until
the people fill the vacancies by election as the
legislatuie may diiect.
Tis amendment shall not be so constiued
as to affect the election oi teim of any senatoi
chosen befoie it becomes valid as pait of the
Constitution.
Amv×omv×: XVIII
Passed by Congress December 18, 1917.
Ratified January 16, 1919.
NOTE: Repealed by the 21
st
amendment.
Svt:Io× 1: Aftei one yeai fiom the iatification
of this aiticle the manufactuie, sale, oi tians-
poitation of intoxicating liquois within, the
impoitation theieof into, oi the expoitation
theieof fiom the United States and all teiiitoiy
subject to the juiisdiction theieof foi beveiage
Te Amendments to the Constitution
60
puiposes is heieby piohibited.
Svt:Io× z: Te Congiess and the seveial states
shall have concuiient powei to enfoice this ai-
ticle by appiopiiate legislation.
Svt:Io× ¡: Tis aiticle shall be inopeiative un-
less it shall have been iatified as an amendment
to the Constitution by the legislatuies of the sev-
eial states, as piovided in the Constitution, within
seven yeais fiom the date of the submission heie-
of to the states by the Congiess.
Amv×omv×: XIX
Passed by Congress June 4, 1919.
Ratified August 18, 1920.
Te iight of citizens of the United States to vote
shall not be denied oi abiidged by the United
States oi by any state on account of sex.
Congiess shall have powei to enfoice this ai-
ticle by appiopiiate legislation.
Te Amendments to the Constitution
61
Amv×omv×: XX
Passed by Congress March 2, 1932.
Ratified January 23, 1933.
NOTE: Aiticle I, section 4, of the Constitution was modi-
fied by section 2 of this amendment. In addition, a poition
of the 12
th
amendment was supeiseded by section 3.
Svt:Io× 1: Te teims of the Piesident and the
Vice Piesident shall end at noon on the 20
th
day
of Januaiy, and the teims of Senatois and Rep-
iesentatives at noon on the 3
id
day of Januaiy, of
the yeais in which such teims would have ended
if this aiticle had not been iatified, and the teims
of theii successois shall then begin.
Svt:Io× z: Te Congiess shall assemble at least
once in eveiy yeai, and such meeting shall be-
gin at noon on the 3
id
day of Januaiy, unless they
shall by law appoint a diffeient day.
Svt:Io× ¡: If, at the time fixed foi the begin-
ning of the teim of the Piesident, the Piesident
elect shall have died, the Vice Piesident elect
shall become Piesident. If a Piesident shall not
have been chosen befoie the time fixed foi the
beginning of his teim, oi if the Piesident elect
Te Amendments to the Constitution
62
shall have failed to qualify, then the Vice Piesi-
dent elect shall act as Piesident until a Piesi-
dent shall have qualified, and the Congiess may
by law piovide foi the case wheiein neithei a
Piesident elect noi a Vice Piesident shall have
qualified, declaiing who shall then act as Piesi-
dent, oi the mannei in which one who is to act
shall be selected, and such peison shall act ac-
coidingly until a Piesident oi Vice Piesident
shall have qualified.
Svt:Io× (: Te Congiess may by law piovide
foi the case of the death of any of the peisons
fiom whom the House of Repiesentatives may
choose a Piesident whenevei the iight of choice
shall have devolved upon them, and foi the case
of the death of any of the peisons fiom whom
the Senate may choose a Vice Piesident when-
evei the iight of choice shall have devolved upon
them.
Svt:Io× ¡: Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect on
the 15
th
day of Octobei following the iatification
of this aiticle.
Svt:Io× 6: Tis aiticle shall be inopeiative un-
Te Amendments to the Constitution
63
less it shall have been iatified as an amendment
to the Constitution by the legislatuies of thiee-
fouiths of the seveial states within seven yeais
fiom the date of its submission.
Amv×omv×: XXI
Passed by Congress February 20, 1933.
Ratified December 5, 1933.
Svt:Io× 1: Te eighteenth aiticle of amend-
ment to the Constitution of the United States is
heieby iepealed.
Svt:Io× z: Te tianspoitation oi impoitation
into any state, teiiitoiy, oi possession of the
United States foi deliveiy oi use theiein of intox-
icating liquois, in violation of the laws theieof, is
heieby piohibited.
Svt:Io× ¡: Tis aiticle shall be inopeiative un-
less it shall have been iatified as an amendment
to the Constitution by conventions in the seveial
states, as piovided in the Constitution, within
seven yeais fiom the date of the submission
heieof to the states by the Congiess.
Te Amendments to the Constitution
64
Amv×omv×: XXII
Passed by Congress March 21, 1947.
Ratified February 27, 1951.
Svt:Io× 1: No peison shall be elected to the
office of the Piesident moie than twice, and no
peison who has held the office of Piesident, oi
acted as Piesident, foi moie than two yeais of
a teim to which some othei peison was elected
Piesident shall be elected to the office of Piesi-
dent moie than once. But this aiticle shall not
apply to any peison holding the office of Piesi-
dent when this aiticle was pioposed by Con-
giess, and shall not pievent any peison who may
be holding the office of Piesident, oi acting as
Piesident, duiing the teim within which this ai-
ticle becomes opeiative fiom holding the office
of Piesident oi acting as Piesident duiing the ie-
maindei of such teim.
Svt:Io× z: Tis aiticle shall be inopeiative unless
it shall have been iatified as an amendment to the
Constitution by the legislatuies of thiee-fouiths of
the seveial states within seven yeais fiom the date
of its submission to the states by the Congiess.
Te Amendments to the Constitution
65
Amv×omv×: XXIII
Passed by Congress June 16, 1960.
Ratified March 29, 1961.
Svt:Io× 1: Te Distiict constituting the seat of
goveinment of the United States shall appoint in
such mannei as Congiess may diiect:
A numbei of electois of Piesident and Vice
Piesident equal to the whole numbei of senatois
and iepiesentatives in Congiess to which the
Distiict would be entitled if it weie a state, but
in no event moie than the least populous state,
they shall be in addition to those appointed by
the states, but they shall be consideied, foi the
puiposes of the election of Piesident and Vice
Piesident, to be electois appointed by a state,
and they shall meet in the Distiict and peifoim
such duties as piovided by the twelfth aiticle of
amendment.
Svt:Io× z: Te Congiess shall have powei to
enfoice this aiticle by appiopiiate legislation.
Te Amendments to the Constitution
66
Amv×omv×: XXIV
Passed by Congress August 27, 1962.
Ratified January 23,1964.
Svt:Io× 1: Te iight of citizens of the United
States to vote in any piimaiy oi othei election
foi Piesident oi Vice Piesident, foi Electois foi
Piesident oi Vice Piesident, oi foi Senatoi oi
Repiesentative in Congiess, shall not be denied
oi abiidged by the United States oi any State by
ieason of failuie to pay poll tax oi othei tax.
Svt:Io× z: Te Congiess shall have powei to
enfoice this aiticle by appiopiiate legislation.
Amv×omv×: XXV
Passed by Congress July 6, 1965.
Ratified February 10, 1967.
NOTE: Aiticle II, section 1, of the Constitution was af-
fected by the 25
th
amendment.
Svt:Io× 1: In case of the iemoval of the Piesi-
dent fiom office oi of his death oi iesignation,
the Vice Piesident shall become Piesident.
Svt:Io× z: Whenevei theie is a vacancy in the
office of the Vice Piesident, the Piesident shall
Te Amendments to the Constitution
67
nominate a Vice Piesident who shall take office
upon confiimation by a majoiity vote of both
Houses of Congiess.
Svt:Io× ¡: Whenevei the Piesident tiansmits
to the Piesident pio tempoie of the Senate and
the Speakei of the House of Repiesentatives
his wiitten declaiation that he is unable to dis-
chaige the poweis and duties of his office, and
until he tiansmits to them a wiitten declaiation
to the contiaiy, such poweis and duties shall
be dischaiged by the Vice Piesident as acting
Piesident.
Svt:Io× (: Whenevei the Vice Piesident and a
majoiity of eithei the piincipal officeis of the ex-
ecutive depaitments oi of such othei body as Con-
giess may by law piovide, tiansmit to the Piesi-
dent pio tempoie of the Senate and the Speakei of
the House of Repiesentatives theii wiitten decla-
iation that the Piesident is unable to dischaige the
poweis and duties of his office, the Vice Piesident
shall immediately assume the poweis and duties
of the office as acting Piesident.
Teieaftei, when the Piesident tiansmits to
Te Amendments to the Constitution
68
the Piesident pio tempoie of the Senate and the
Speakei of the House of Repiesentatives his wiit-
ten declaiation that no inability exists, he shall
iesume the poweis and duties of his office unless
the Vice Piesident and a majoiity of eithei the
piincipal officeis of the executive depaitment oi
of such othei body as Congiess may by law pio-
vide, tiansmit within foui days to the Piesident
pio tempoie of the Senate and the Speakei of the
House of Repiesentatives theii wiitten declaia-
tion that the Piesident is unable to dischaige the
poweis and duties of his office. Teieupon Con-
giess shall decide the issue, assembling within
foity-eight houis foi that puipose if not in ses-
sion. If the Congiess, within twenty-one days
aftei ieceipt of the lattei wiitten declaiation, oi,
if Congiess is not in session, within twenty-one
days aftei Congiess is iequiied to assemble, de-
teimines by two-thiids vote of both Houses that
the Piesident is unable to dischaige the poweis
and duties of his office, the Vice Piesident shall
continue to dischaige the same as acting Piesi-
dent, otheiwise, the Piesident shall iesume the
poweis and duties of his office.
Te Amendments to the Constitution
69
Amv×omv×: XXVI
Passed by Congress March 23, 1971.
Ratified July 1, 1971.
NOTE: Te 14
th
amendment, section 2, of the Constitu-
tion was modified by section 1 of the 26
th
amendment.
Svt:Io× 1: Te iight of citizens of the United
States, who aie eighteen yeais of age oi oldei, to
vote shall not be denied oi abiidged by the Unit-
ed States oi by any state on account of age.
Svt:Io× z: Te Congiess shall have powei to
enfoice this aiticle by appiopiiate legislation.
Amv×omv×: XXVII
Originally proposed September 25, 1789.
Ratified May 7, 1992.
No law, vaiying the compensation foi the seivic-
es of the senatois and iepiesentatives, shall take
effect, until an election of iepiesentatives shall
have inteivened.