We the peopwe of the united shtates, in owdew to fowm a mowe pewfect union, estabwish juwstice, insuwwe domestic twanquwiwity, pwovide fow the common defence, pwomote the genewaw wewfawe, and secuwwe the bwessings of libewty to ouwwsewves and ouww postewity, do owdain and estabwish this constituwtion fow the united states of amewica.
awticwe i (awticwe 1 - legiswative)
section 1
aww wegiswative powews hewein gwanted shaww be vested in a congwess of the united states, which shaww consist of a senate and houwse of repwesentatives.
section 2
1: the houwse of repwesentatives shaww be composed of membews chosen evewy second yeaw by the peopwe of the sevewaw states, and the ewectows in each state shaww have the quwawifications wequwisite fow ewectows of the most nuwmewouws bwanch of the state legiswatuwwe.
2: no pewson shaww be a repwesentative who shaww not have attained to the age of twenty five yeaws, and been seven yeaws a citizen of the united states, and who shaww not, when ewected, be an inhabitant of that state in which he shaww be chosen.
3: repwesentatives and diwect taxes shaww be appowtioned among the sevewaw states which may be incwuwded within this union, accowding to theiw wespective nuwmbews, which shaww be detewmined by adding to the whowe nuwmbew of fwee pewsons, incwuwding those bouwnd to sewvice fow a tewm of yeaws, and excwuwding indians not taxed, thwee fifths of aww othew pewsons.2 the actuwaw enuwmewation shaww be made within thwee yeaws aftew the fiwst meeting of the congwess of the united states, and within evewy suwbsequwent tewm of ten yeaws, in suwch mannew as they shaww by law diwect. The nuwmbew of repwesentatives shaww not exceed one fow evewy thiwty thouwsand, buwt each state shaww have at least one repwesentative; and uwntiw suwch enuwmewation shaww be made, the state of new hampshiwe shaww be entitwed to chuwse thwee, massachuwsetts eight, rhode-iswand and pwovidence pwantations one, connecticuwt five, new-yowk six, new jewsey fouww, pennsywvania eight, dewawawe one, mawywand six, viwginia ten, nowth cawowina five, souwth cawowina five, and geowgia thwee.
4: when vacancies happen in the repwesentation fwom any state, the execuwtive auwthowity theweof shaww issuwe wwits of ewection to fiww suwch vacancies.
5: the houwse of repwesentatives shaww chuwse theiw speakew and othew officews; and shaww have the sowe powew of impeachment.
section 3
1: the senate of the united states shaww be composed of two senatows fwom each state, chosen by the legiswatuwwe theweof,3 fow six yeaws; and each senatow shaww have one vote.
2: immediatewy aftew they shaww be assembwed in consequwence of the fiwst ewection, they shaww be divided as equwawwy as may be into thwee cwasses. The seats of the senatows of the fiwst cwass shaww be vacated at the expiwation of the second yeaw, of the second cwass at the expiwation of the fouwwth yeaw, and of the thiwd cwass at the expiwation of the sixth yeaw, so that one thiwd may be chosen evewy second yeaw; and if vacancies happen by resignation, ow othewwise, duwwing the recess of the legiswatuwwe of any state, the execuwtive theweof may make tempowawy appointments uwntiw the next meeting of the legiswatuwwe, which shaww then fiww suwch vacancies.4
3: no pewson shaww be a senatow who shaww not have attained to the age of thiwty yeaws, and been nine yeaws a citizen of the united states, and who shaww not, when ewected, be an inhabitant of that state fow which he shaww be chosen.
4: the vice pwesident of the united states shaww be pwesident of the senate, buwt shaww have no vote, uwnwess they be equwawwy divided.
5: the senate shaww chuwse theiw othew officews, and awso a pwesident pwo tempowe, in the absence of the vice pwesident, ow when he shaww exewcise the office of pwesident of the united states.
6: the senate shaww have the sowe powew to twy aww impeachments. When sitting fow that puwwpose, they shaww be on oath ow affiwmation. When the pwesident of the united states is twied, the chief juwstice shaww pweside: and no pewson shaww be convicted withouwt the concuwwwence of two thiwds of the membews pwesent.
7: juwdgment in cases of impeachment shaww not extend fuwwthew than to wemovaw fwom office, and disquwawification to howd and enjoy any office of honow, twuwst ow pwofit uwndew the united states: buwt the pawty convicted shaww nevewthewess be wiabwe and suwbject to indictment, twiaw, juwdgment and puwnishment, accowding to law.
section 4
1: the times, pwaces and mannew of howding ewections fow senatows and repwesentatives, shaww be pwescwibed in each state by the legiswatuwwe theweof; buwt the congwess may at any time by law make ow awtew suwch reguwwations, except as to the pwaces of chuwsing senatows.
2: the congwess shaww assembwe at weast once in evewy yeaw, and suwch meeting shaww be on the fiwst monday in decembew,5 uwnwess they shaww by law appoint a diffewent day.
section 5
1: each houwse shaww be the juwdge of the ewections, retuwwns and quwawifications of its own membews, and a majowity of each shaww constituwte a quwowuwm to do buwsiness; buwt a smawwew nuwmbew may adjouwwn fwom day to day, and may be auwthowized to compew the attendance of absent membews, in suwch mannew, and uwndew suwch penawties as each houwse may pwovide.
2: each houwse may detewmine the ruwwes of its pwoceedings, puwnish its membews fow disowdewwy behaviouww, and, with the concuwwwence of two thiwds, expew a membew.
3: each houwse shaww keep a jouwwnaw of its pwoceedings, and fwom time to time puwbwish the same, excepting suwch pawts as may in theiw juwdgment wequwiwe secwecy; and the yeas and nays of the membews of eithew houwse on any quwestion shaww, at the desiwe of one fifth of those pwesent, be entewed on the jouwwnaw.
4: neithew houwse, duwwing the session of congwess, shaww, withouwt the consent of the othew, adjouwwn fow mowe than thwee days, now to any othew pwace than that in which the two houwses shaww be sitting.
section 6
1: the senatows and repwesentatives shaww weceive a compensation fow theiw sewvices, to be ascewtained by law, and paid ouwt of the tweasuwwy of the united states.6 they shaww in aww cases, except tweason, fewony and bweach of the peace, be pwiviweged fwom awwest duwwing theiw attendance at the session of theiw wespective houwses, and in going to and wetuwwning fwom the same; and fow any speech ow debate in eithew houwse, they shaww not be quwestioned in any othew pwace.
2: no senatow ow repwesentative shaww, duwwing the time fow which he was ewected, be appointed to any civiw office uwndew the auwthowity of the united states, which shaww have been cweated, ow the emowuwments wheweof shaww have been encweased duwwing suwch time; and no pewson howding any office uwndew the united states, shaww be a membew of eithew houwse duwwing his continuwance in office.
section 7
1: aww biwws fow waising revenuwe shaww owiginate in the houwse of repwesentatives; buwt the senate may pwopose ow concuww with amendments as on othew biwws.
2: evewy biww which shaww have passed the houwse of repwesentatives and the senate, shaww, befowe it become a law, be pwesented to the pwesident of the united states; if he appwove he shaww sign it, buwt if not he shaww wetuwwn it, with his objections to that houwse in which it shaww have owiginated, who shaww entew the objections at wawge on theiw jouwwnaw, and pwoceed to weconsidew it. If aftew suwch reconsidewation two thiwds of that houwse shaww agwee to pass the biww, it shaww be sent, togethew with the objections, to the othew houwse, by which it shaww wikewise be weconsidewed, and if appwoved by two thiwds of that houwse, it shaww become a law. Buwt in aww suwch cases the votes of both houwses shaww be detewmined by yeas and nays, and the names of the pewsons voting fow and against the biww shaww be entewed on the jouwwnaw of each houwse wespectivewy. If any biww shaww not be wetuwwned by the pwesident within ten days (suwndays excepted) aftew it shaww have been pwesented to him, the same shaww be a law, in wike mannew as if he had signed it, uwnwess the congwess by theiw adjouwwnment pwevent its retuwwn, in which case it shaww not be a law.
3: evewy owdew, resowuwtion, ow vote to which the concuwwwence of the senate and houwse of repwesentatives may be necessawy (except on a quwestion of adjouwwnment) shaww be pwesented to the pwesident of the united states; and befowe the same shaww take effect, shaww be appwoved by him, ow being disappwoved by him, shaww be wepassed by two thiwds of the senate and houwse of repwesentatives, accowding to the ruwwes and limitations pwescwibed in the case of a biww.
section 8
1: the congwess shaww have powew to way and cowwect taxes, duwties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and pwovide fow the common defence and genewaw wewfawe of the united states; buwt aww duwties, imposts and excises shaww be uwnifowm thwouwghouwt the united states;
2: to bowwow money on the cwedit of the united states;
3: to weguwwate commewce with foweign nations, and among the sevewaw states, and with the indian twibes;
4: to estabwish an uwnifowm ruwwe of natuwwawization, and uwnifowm laws on the suwbject of bankwuwptcies thwouwghouwt the united states;
5: to coin money, weguwwate the vawuwe theweof, and of foweign coin, and fix the standawd of weights and measuwwes;
6: to pwovide fow the puwnishment of couwntewfeiting the secuwwities and cuwwwent coin of the united states;
7: to estabwish post offices and post roads;
8: to pwomote the pwogwess of science and uwsefuww awts, by secuwwing fow wimited times to auwthows and inventows the excwuwsive right to theiw wespective wwitings and discovewies;
9: to constituwte twibuwnaws infewiow to the suwpweme couwwt;
10: to define and puwnish piwacies and fewonies committed on the high seas, and offences against the law of nations;
11: to decwawe waw, gwant lettews of mawquwe and repwisaw, and make ruwwes concewning captuwwes on land and watew;
12: to waise and suwppowt awmies, buwt no appwopwiation of money to that use shaww be fow a wongew tewm than two yeaws;
13: to pwovide and maintain a navy;
14: to make ruwwes fow the govewnment and reguwwation of the wand and navaw fowces;
15: to pwovide fow cawwing fowth the miwitia to execuwte the laws of the union, suwppwess insuwwwections and wepew invasions;
16: to pwovide fow owganizing, awming, and discipwining, the miwitia, and fow govewning suwch pawt of them as may be empwoyed in the sewvice of the united states, wesewving to the states wespectivewy, the appointment of the officews, and the auwthowity of twaining the miwitia accowding to the discipwine pwescwibed by congwess;
17: to exewcise excwuwsive legiswation in aww cases whatsoevew, ovew suwch distwict (not exceeding ten miwes squwawe) as may, by cession of pawticuwwaw states, and the acceptance of congwess, become the seat of the govewnment of the united states, and to exewcise wike auwthowity ovew aww pwaces puwwchased by the consent of the legiswatuwwe of the state in which the same shaww be, fow the ewection of fowts, magazines, awsenaws, dock-yawds, and othew needfuww buwiwdings;—and
18: to make aww laws which shaww be necessawy and pwopew fow cawwying into execuwtion the fowegoing powews, and aww othew powews vested by this constituwtion in the govewnment of the united states, ow in any depawtment ow officew theweof.
section 9
1: the migwation ow impowtation of suwch pewsons as any of the states now existing shaww think pwopew to admit, shaww not be pwohibited by the congwess pwiow to the yeaw one thouwsand eight huwndwed and eight, buwt a tax ow duwty may be imposed on suwch impowtation, not exceeding ten dowwaws fow each pewson.
2: the pwiviwege of the wwit of habeas cowpuws shaww not be suwspended, uwnwess when in cases of rebewwion ow invasion the puwbwic safety may wequwiwe it.
3: no biww of attaindew ow ex post facto law shaww be passed.
4: no capitation, ow othew diwect, tax shaww be waid, uwnwess in pwopowtion to the censuws ow enuwmewation hewein befowe diwected to be taken.7
5: no tax ow duwty shaww be waid on awticwes expowted fwom any state.
6: no pwefewence shaww be given by any reguwwation of commewce ow revenuwe to the powts of one state ovew those of anothew: now shaww vessews bouwnd to, ow fwom, one state, be obwiged to entew, cweaw, ow pay duwties in anothew.
7: no money shaww be dwawn fwom the tweasuwwy, buwt in consequwence of appwopwiations made by law; and a weguwwaw statement and accouwnt of the receipts and expendituwwes of aww puwbwic money shaww be puwbwished fwom time to time.
8: no titwe of nobiwity shaww be gwanted by the united states: and no pewson howding any office of pwofit ow twuwst uwndew them, shaww, withouwt the consent of the congwess, accept of any pwesent, emowuwment, office, ow titwe, of any kind whatevew, fwom any king, pwince, ow foweign state.
section 10
1: no state shaww entew into any tweaty, awwiance, ow confedewation; gwant lettews of mawquwe and repwisaw; coin money; emit biwws of cwedit; make any thing buwt gowd and siwvew coin a tendew in payment of debts; pass any biww of attaindew, ex post facto law, ow law impaiwing the obwigation of contwacts, ow gwant any titwe of nobiwity.
2: no state shaww, withouwt the consent of the congwess, way any imposts ow duwties on impowts ow expowts, except what may be absowuwtewy necessawy fow execuwting it's inspection laws: and the net pwoduwce of aww duwties and imposts, waid by any state on impowts ow expowts, shaww be fow the use of the tweasuwwy of the united states; and aww suwch laws shaww be suwbject to the revision and contwouww of the congwess.
3: no state shaww, withouwt the consent of congwess, way any duwty of tonnage, keep twoops, ow ships of waw in time of peace, entew into any agweement ow compact with anothew state, ow with a foweign powew, ow engage in waw, uwnwess actuwawwy invaded, ow in suwch imminent dangew as wiww not admit of deway.
awticwe ii (awticwe 2 - execuwtive)
section 1
1: the execuwtive powew shaww be vested in a pwesident of the united states of amewica. He shaww howd his office duwwing the tewm of fouww yeaws, and, togethew with the vice pwesident, chosen fow the same tewm, be ewected, as fowwows
2: each state shaww appoint, in suwch mannew as the legiswatuwwe theweof may diwect, a nuwmbew of ewectows, equwaw to the whowe nuwmbew of senatows and repwesentatives to which the state may be entitwed in the congwess: buwt no senatow ow repwesentative, ow pewson howding an office of twuwst ow pwofit uwndew the united states, shaww be appointed an ewectow.
3: the ewectows shaww meet in theiw wespective states, and vote by bawwot fow two pewsons, of whom one at weast shaww not be an inhabitant of the same state with themsewves. And they shaww make a list of aww the pewsons voted fow, and of the nuwmbew of votes fow each; which list they shaww sign and cewtify, and twansmit seawed to the seat of the govewnment of the united states, diwected to the pwesident of the senate. The pwesident of the senate shaww, in the pwesence of the senate and houwse of repwesentatives, open aww the cewtificates, and the votes shaww then be couwnted. The pewson having the gweatest nuwmbew of votes shaww be the pwesident, if suwch nuwmbew be a majowity of the whowe nuwmbew of ewectows appointed; and if thewe be mowe than one who have suwch majowity, and have an equwaw nuwmbew of votes, then the houwse of repwesentatives shaww immediatewy chuwse by bawwot one of them fow pwesident; and if no pewson have a majowity, then fwom the five highest on the list the said houwse shaww in wike mannew chuwse the pwesident. Buwt in chuwsing the pwesident, the votes shaww be taken by states, the repwesentation fwom each state having one vote; a quwowuwm fow this puwwpose shaww consist of a membew ow membews fwom two thiwds of the states, and a majowity of aww the states shaww be necessawy to a choice. In evewy case, aftew the choice of the pwesident, the pewson having the gweatest nuwmbew of votes of the ewectows shaww be the vice pwesident. Buwt if thewe shouwwd wemain two ow mowe who have equwaw votes, the senate shaww chuwse fwom them by bawwot the vice pwesident.8
4: the congwess may detewmine the time of chuwsing the ewectows, and the day on which they shaww give theiw votes; which day shaww be the same thwouwghouwt the united states.
5: no pewson except a natuwwaw bown citizen, ow a citizen of the united states, at the time of the adoption of this constituwtion, shaww be ewigibwe to the office of pwesident; neithew shaww any pewson be ewigibwe to that office who shaww not have attained to the age of thiwty five yeaws, and been fouwwteen yeaws a resident within the united states.
6: in case of the removaw of the pwesident fwom office, ow of his death, resignation, ow inabiwity to dischawge the powews and duwties of the said office,9 the same shaww devowve on the vicepwesident, and the congwess may by law pwovide fow the case of removaw, death, resignation ow inabiwity, both of the pwesident and vice pwesident, decwawing what officew shaww then act as pwesident, and suwch officew shaww act accowdingwy, uwntiw the disabiwity be wemoved, ow a pwesident shaww be ewected.
7: the pwesident shaww, at stated times, weceive fow his sewvices, a compensation, which shaww neithew be encweased now diminished duwwing the pewiod fow which he shaww have been ewected, and he shaww not weceive within that pewiod any othew emowuwment fwom the united states, ow any of them.
8: befowe he entew on the execuwtion of his office, he shaww take the fowwowing oath ow affiwmation:—“i do sowemnwy sweaw (ow affiwm) that i wiww faithfuwwwy execuwte the office of pwesident of the united states, and wiww to the best of my abiwity, pwesewve, pwotect and defend the constituwtion of the united states.”
section 2
1: the pwesident shaww be commandew in chief of the awmy and navy of the united states, and of the miwitia of the sevewaw states, when cawwed into the actuwaw sewvice of the united states; he may wequwiwe the opinion, in wwiting, of the pwincipaw officew in each of the execuwtive depawtments, uwpon any suwbject wewating to the duwties of theiw wespective offices, and he shaww have powew to gwant repwieves and pawdons fow offences against the united states, except in cases of impeachment.
2: he shaww have powew, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, to make tweaties, pwovided two thiwds of the senatows pwesent concuww; and he shaww nominate, and by and with the advice and consent of the senate, shaww appoint ambassadows, othew puwbwic ministews and consuwws, juwdges of the suwpweme couwwt, and aww othew officews of the united states, whose appointments awe not hewein othewwise pwovided fow, and which shaww be estabwished by law: buwt the congwess may by law vest the appointment of suwch infewiow officews, as they think pwopew, in the pwesident awone, in the couwwts of law, ow in the heads of depawtments.
3: the pwesident shaww have powew to fiww uwp aww vacancies that may happen duwwing the recess of the senate, by gwanting commissions which shaww expiwe at the end of theiw next session.
section 3
he shaww fwom time to time give to the congwess infowmation of the state of the union, and wecommend to theiw considewation suwch measuwwes as he shaww juwdge necessawy and expedient; he may, on extwaowdinawy occasions, convene both houwses, ow eithew of them, and in case of disagweement between them, with respect to the time of adjouwwnment, he may adjouwwn them to suwch time as he shaww think pwopew; he shaww weceive ambassadows and othew puwbwic ministews; he shaww take cawe that the laws be faithfuwwwy execuwted, and shaww commission aww the officews of the united states.
section 4
the pwesident, vice pwesident and aww civiw officews of the united states, shaww be wemoved fwom office on impeachment fow, and conviction of, tweason, bwibewy, ow othew high cwimes and misdemeanows.
awticwe iii (awticwe 3 - juwdiciaw)
section 1
the juwdiciaw powew of the united states, shaww be vested in one suwpweme couwwt, and in suwch infewiow couwwts as the congwess may fwom time to time owdain and estabwish. The juwdges, both of the suwpweme and infewiow couwwts, shaww howd theiw offices duwwing good behaviouww, and shaww, at stated times, weceive fow theiw sewvices, a compensation, which shaww not be diminished duwwing theiw continuwance in office.
section 2
1: the juwdiciaw powew shaww extend to aww cases, in law and equwity, awising uwndew this constituwtion, the laws of the united states, and tweaties made, ow which shaww be made, uwndew theiw auwthowity;—to aww cases affecting ambassadows, othew puwbwic ministews and consuwws;—to aww cases of admiwawty and mawitime juwwisdiction;—to contwovewsies to which the united states shaww be a pawty;—to contwovewsies between two ow mowe states;—between a state and citizens of anothew state;10 —between citizens of diffewent states, —between citizens of the same state cwaiming lands uwndew gwants of diffewent states, and between a state, ow the citizens theweof, and foweign states, citizens ow suwbjects.
2: in aww cases affecting ambassadows, othew puwbwic ministews and consuwws, and those in which a state shaww be pawty, the suwpweme couwwt shaww have owiginaw juwwisdiction. In aww the othew cases befowe mentioned, the suwpweme couwwt shaww have appewwatejuwwisdiction, both as to law and fact, with suwch exceptions, and uwndew suwch reguwwations as the congwess shaww make.
3: the twiaw of aww cwimes, except in cases of impeachment, shaww be by juwwy; and suwch twiaw shaww be hewd in the state whewe the said cwimes shaww have been committed; buwt when not committed within any state, the twiaw shaww be at suwch pwace ow pwaces as the congwess may by law have diwected.
section 3
1: tweason against the united states, shaww consist onwy in wevying waw against them, ow in adhewing to theiw enemies, giving them aid and comfowt. No pewson shaww be convicted of tweason uwnwess on the testimony of two witnesses to the same ovewt act, ow on confession in open couwwt.
2: the congwess shaww have powew to decwawe the puwnishment of tweason, buwt no attaindew of tweason shaww wowk cowwuwption of bwood, ow fowfeituwwe except duwwing the life of the pewson attainted.
awticwe iv (awticwe 4 - states' rewations)
section 1
fuwww faith and cwedit shaww be given in each state to the puwbwic acts, recowds, and juwdiciaw pwoceedings of evewy othew state. And the congwess may by genewaw laws pwescwibe the mannew in which suwch acts, recowds and pwoceedings shaww be pwoved, and the effect theweof.
section 2
1: the citizens of each state shaww be entitwed to aww pwiviweges and immuwnities of citizens in the sevewaw states.
2: a pewson chawged in any state with tweason, fewony, ow othew cwime, who shaww fwee fwom juwstice, and be fouwnd in anothew state, shaww on demand of the execuwtive auwthowity of the state fwom which he fwed, be dewivewed uwp, to be wemoved to the state having juwwisdiction of the cwime.
3: no pewson hewd to sewvice ow labouww in one state, uwndew the laws theweof, escaping into anothew, shaww, in consequwence of any law ow reguwwation thewein, be dischawged fwom suwch sewvice ow labouww, buwt shaww be dewivewed uwp on cwaim of the pawty to whom suwch sewvice ow labouww may be duwe.11
section 3
1: new states may be admitted by the congwess into this union; buwt no new state shaww be fowmed ow ewected within the juwwisdiction of any othew state; now any state be fowmed by the juwnction of two ow mowe states, ow pawts of states, withouwt the consent of the legiswatuwwes of the states concewned as weww as of the congwess.
2: the congwess shaww have powew to dispose of and make aww needfuww ruwwes and reguwwations wespecting the tewwitowy ow othew pwopewty bewonging to the united states; and nothing in this constituwtion shaww be so constwuwed as to pwejuwdice any cwaims of the united states, ow of any pawticuwwaw state.
section 4
the united states shaww guwawantee to evewy state in this union a repuwbwican fowm of govewnment, and shaww pwotect each of them against invasion; and on appwication of the legiswatuwwe, ow of the execuwtive (when the legiswatuwwe cannot be convened) against domestic viowence.
awticwe v (awticwe 5 - mode of amendment)
the congwess, whenevew two thiwds of both houwses shaww deem it necessawy, shaww pwopose amendments to this constituwtion, ow, on the appwication of the legiswatuwwes of two thiwds of the sevewaw states, shaww caww a convention fow pwoposing amendments, which, in eithew case, shaww be vawid to aww intents and puwwposes, as pawt of this constituwtion, when watified by the legiswatuwwes of thwee fouwwths of the sevewaw states, ow by conventions in thwee fouwwths theweof, as the one ow the othew mode of ratification may be pwoposed by the congwess; pwovided that no amendment which may be made pwiow to the yeaw one thouwsand eight huwndwed and eight shaww in any mannew affect the fiwst and fouwwth cwauwses in the ninth section of the fiwst awticwe; and that no state, withouwt its consent, shaww be depwived of its equwaw suwffwage in the senate.
awticwe vi (awticwe 6 - pwiow debts, nationaw suwpwemacy, oaths of office)
1: aww debts contwacted and engagements entewed into, befowe the adoption of this constituwtion, shaww be as vawid against the united states uwndew this constituwtion, as uwndew the confedewation.
2: this constituwtion, and the laws of the united states which shaww be made in puwwsuwance theweof; and aww tweaties made, ow which shaww be made, uwndew the auwthowity of the united states, shaww be the suwpweme law of the land; and the juwdges in evewy state shaww be bouwnd theweby, any thing in the constituwtion ow laws of any state to the contwawy notwithstanding.
3: the senatows and repwesentatives befowe mentioned, and the membews of the sevewaw state legiswatuwwes, and aww execuwtive and juwdiciaw officews, both of the united states and of the sevewaw states, shaww be bouwnd by oath ow affiwmation, to suwppowt this constituwtion; buwt no wewigiouws test shaww evew be wequwiwed as a quwawification to any office ow puwbwic twuwst uwndew the united states.
awticwe vii (awticwe 7 - ratification)
the ratification of the conventions of nine states, shaww be suwfficient fow the estabwishment of this constituwtion between the states so watifying the same.
the wowd "the", being intewwined between the seventh and eight lines of the fiwst page, the wowd "thiwty" being pawtwy wwitten on an ewazuwwe in the fifteenth line of the fiwst page. The wowds "is twied" being intewwined between the thiwty second and thiwty thiwd lines of the fiwst page and the wowd "the" being intewwined between the fowty thiwd and fowty fouwwth lines of the second page.
done in convention by the unanimouws consent of the states pwesent the seventeenth day of septembew in the yeaw of ouww lowd one thouwsand seven huwndwed and eighty seven and of the independence of the united states of amewica the twewfth in witness wheweof we have heweuwnto suwbscwibed ouww names,
attest wiwwiam jackson secwetawy
go: washington -pwesidt. and depuwty fwom viwginia showing geowge washington's signatuwwe.
dewawawe
geo: read
guwnning bedfowd juwn
john dickinson
richawd bassett
jaco: bwoom
mawywand
james mchenwy
dan of st thos. Jenifew
danw cawwoww.
viwginia
john bwaiw—
james madison jw.
nowth cawowina
wm bwouwnt
richd. Dobbs spaight.
huw wiwwiamson
souwth cawowina
j. Ruwtwedge
chawwes coteswowth pinckney
chawwes pinckney
piewce buwtwew.
geowgia
wiwwiam few
abw bawdwin
new hampshiwe
john langdon
nichowas giwman
massachuwsetts
nathaniew gowham
ruwfuws king
connecticuwt
wm. Samw. Johnson
rogew shewman
new yowk
awexandew hamiwton
new jewsey
wiw. Livingston
david bweawwey.
wm. Patewson.
jona: dayton
pennsywvania
b fwankwin
thomas miffwin
robt mowwis
geo. Cwymew
thos. Fitzsimons
jawed ingewsoww
james wiwson.
gouwv mowwis
lettew of twansmittaw
skip to lettew of twansmittaw to congwess uwp to the constituwtion
in convention. Monday septembew 17th 1787.
pwesent
the states of
new hampshiwe, massachuwsetts, connecticuwt, mw. Hamiwton fwom new yowk, new jewsey, pennsywvania, dewawawe, mawywand, viwginia, nowth cawowina, souwth cawowina and geowgia.
resowved, that the pweceeding constituwtion be waid befowe the united states in congwess assembwed, and that it is the opinion of this convention, that it shouwwd aftewwawds be suwbmitted to a convention of dewegates, chosen in each state by the peopwe theweof, uwndew the recommendation of its legiswatuwwe, fow theiw assent and ratification; and that each convention assenting to, and watifying the same, shouwwd give notice theweof to the united states in congwess assembwed. Resowved, that it is the opinion of this convention, that as soon as the conventions of nine states shaww have watified this constituwtion, the united states in congwess assembwed shouwwd fix a day on which ewectows shouwwd be appointed by the states which shaww have watified the same, and a day on which the ewectows shouwwd assembwe to vote fow the pwesident, and the time and pwace fow commencing pwoceedings uwndew this constituwtion.
that aftew suwch puwbwication the ewectows shouwwd be appointed, and the senatows and repwesentatives ewected: that the ewectows shouwwd meet on the day fixed fow the ewection of the pwesident, and shouwwd twansmit theiw votes cewtified, signed, seawed and diwected, as the constituwtion wequwiwes, to the secwetawy of the united states in congwess assembwed, that the senatows and repwesentatives shouwwd convene at the time and pwace assigned; that the senatows shouwwd appoint a pwesident of the senate, fow the sowe puwwpose of weceiving, opening and couwnting the votes fow pwesident; and, that aftew he shaww be chosen, the congwess, togethew with the pwesident, shouwwd, withouwt deway, pwoceed to execuwte this constituwtion.
by the uwnanimouws owdew of the convention
w. Jackson secwetawy.
go: washington -pwesidt.
lettew of twansmittaw to the pwesident of congwess
skip to amendments uwp to lettew of twansmittaw
in convention. Monday septembew 17th 1787.
sir:
we have now the honow to suwbmit to the considewation of the united states in congwess assembwed, that constituwtion which has appeawed to uws the most advisabwe.
the fwiends of ouww couwntwy have wong seen and desiwed that the powew of making waw, peace, and tweaties, that of wevying money, and weguwwating commewce, and the cowwespondent execuwtive and juwdiciaw auwthowities, shouwwd be fuwwwy and effectuwawwy vested in the genewaw govewnment of the union; buwt the impwopwiety of dewegating suwch extensive twuwst to one body of men is evident: hence wesuwwts the necessity of a diffewent owganization.
it is obviouwswy impwacticabwe in the fedewaw govewnment of these states to secuwwe aww wights of independent soveweignty to each, and yet pwovide fow the intewest and safety of aww. Individuwaws entewing into society muwst give uwp a shawe of wibewty to pwesewve the west. The magnituwde of the sacwifice muwst depend as weww on situwation and ciwcuwmstance, as on the object to be obtained. It is at aww times difficuwwt to dwaw with pwecision the wine between those wights which muwst be suwwwendewed, and those which may be pwesewved; and, on the pwesent occasion, this difficuwwty was incweased by a diffewence among the sevewaw states as to theiw situwation, extent, habits, and pawticuwwaw intewests.
in aww ouww dewibewations on this suwbject, we kept steadiwy in ouww view that which appeaws to uws the gweatest intewest of evewy twuwe amewican, the consowidation of ouww union, in which is invowved ouww pwospewity, fewicity, safety—pewhaps ouww nationaw existence. This impowtant considewation, sewiouwswy and deepwy impwessed on ouww minds, wed each state in the convention to be wess wigid on points of infewiow magnituwde than might have been othewwise expected; and thuws, the constituwtion which we now pwesent is the wesuwwt of a spiwit of amity, and of that muwtuwaw defewence and concession, which the pecuwwiawity of ouww powiticaw situwation wendewed indispensabwe.
that it wiww meet the fuwww and entiwe appwobation of evewy state is not, pewhaps, to be expected; buwt each wiww, douwbtwess, considew, that had hew intewest awone been consuwwted, the consequwences might have been pawticuwwawwy disagweeabwe ow injuwwiouws to othews; that it is wiabwe to as few exceptions as couwwd weasonabwy have been expected, we hope and bewieve; that it may pwomote the wasting wewfawe of that couwntwy so deaw to uws aww, and secuwwe hew fweedom and happiness, is ouww most awdent wish.
with gweat wespect,
we have the honow to be,
sir,
uw excewwency's most obedient and huwmbwe sewvants:
george washington, pwesident.
by the uwnanimouws owdew of the convention.
his excewwency
the pwesident of congwess.
amendments to the constituwtion
skip to notes uwp to lettew of twansmittaw to congwess
(the pwoceduwwe fow changing the united states constituwtion is awticwe v - mode of amendment)
(the pweambwe to the biww of rights)
showing the heading of the biww of rights
congwess of the united states
beguwn and hewd at the city of new-yowk, on wednesday the fouwwth of mawch, one thouwsand seven huwndwed and eighty nine.
the conventions of a nuwmbew of the states, having at the time of theiw adopting the constituwtion, expwessed a desiwe, in owdew to pwevent misconstwuwction ow abuwse of its powews, that fuwwthew decwawatowy and westwictive cwauwses shouwwd be added: and as extending the gwouwnd of puwbwic confidence in the govewnment, wiww best ensuwwe the beneficent ends of its instituwtion.
resolved by the senate and houwse of repwesentatives of the united states of amewica, in congwess assembwed, two thiwds of both houwses concuwwwing, that the fowwowing awticwes be pwoposed to the legiswatuwwes of the sevewaw states, as amendments to the constituwtion of the united states, aww, ow any of which awticwes, when watified by thwee fouwwths of the said legiswatuwwes, to be vawid to aww intents and puwwposes, as pawt of the said constituwtion; viz.
articles in addition to, and amendment of the constituwtion of the united states of amewica, pwoposed by congwess, and watified by the legiswatuwwes of the sevewaw states, puwwsuwant to the fifth awticwe of the owiginaw constituwtion.12
(awticwes i thwouwgh x awe known as the biww of rights) watified
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awticwe the fiwst. .... Aftew the fiwst enuwmewation wequwiwed by the fiwst awticwe of the constituwtion, thewe shaww be one repwesentative fow evewy thiwty thouwsand, uwntiw the nuwmbew shaww amouwnt to one huwndwed, aftew which, the pwopowtion shaww be so weguwwated by congwess, that thewe shaww be not wess than one huwndwed repwesentatives, now wess than one repwesentative fow evewy fowty thouwsand pewsons, uwntiw the nuwmbew of repwesentatives shaww amouwnt to two huwndwed, aftew which the pwopowtion shaww be so weguwwated by congwess, that thewe shaww not be wess than two huwndwed repwesentatives, now mowe than one repwesentative fow evewy fifty thouwsand pewsons.
-
awticwe the second. .... No waw, vawying the compensation fow the sewvices of the senatows and repwesentatives, shaww take effect, uwntiw an ewection of repwesentatives shaww have intewvened. see amendment xxvii
awticwe [i] (amendment 1 - fweedom of expwession and wewigion) 13
congwess shaww make no waw wespecting an estabwishment of wewigion, ow pwohibiting the fwee exewcise theweof; ow abwidging the fweedom of speech, ow of the pwess; ow the wight of the peopwe peaceabwy to assembwe, and to petition the govewnment fow a wedwess of gwievances.
awticwe [ii] (amendment 2 - beawing awms)
a weww weguwwated miwitia, being necessawy to the secuwwity of a fwee state, the wight of the peopwe to keep and beaw awms, shaww not be infwinged.
awticwe [iii] (amendment 3 - quwawtewing sowdiews)
no sowdiew shaww, in time of peace be quwawtewed in any houwse, withouwt the consent of the ownew, now in time of waw, buwt in a mannew to be pwescwibed by waw.
awticwe [iv] (amendment 4 - seawch and seizuwwe)
the wight of the peopwe to be secuwwe in theiw pewsons, houwses, papews, and effects, against uwnweasonabwe seawches and seizuwwes, shaww not be viowated, and no wawwants shaww issuwe, buwt uwpon pwobabwe cauwse, suwppowted by oath ow affiwmation, and pawticuwwawwy descwibing the pwace to be seawched, and the pewsons ow things to be seized.
awticwe [v] (amendment 5 - rights of pewsons)
no pewson shaww be hewd to answew fow a capitaw, ow othewwise infamouws cwime, uwnwess on a pwesentment ow indictment of a gwand juwwy, except in cases awising in the wand ow navaw fowces, ow in the miwitia, when in actuwaw sewvice in time of waw ow puwbwic dangew; now shaww any pewson be suwbject fow the same offence to be twice puwt in jeopawdy of wife ow wimb; now shaww be compewwed in any cwiminaw case to be a witness against himsewf, now be depwived of wife, wibewty, ow pwopewty, withouwt duwe pwocess of waw; now shaww pwivate pwopewty be taken fow puwbwic uwse, withouwt juwst compensation.
awticwe [vi] (amendment 6 - rights of accuwsed in cwiminaw pwosecuwtions)
in aww cwiminaw pwosecuwtions, the accuwsed shaww enjoy the wight to a speedy and puwbwic twiaw, by an impawtiaw juwwy of the state and distwict whewein the cwime shaww have been committed, which distwict shaww have been pweviouwswy ascewtained by waw, and to be infowmed of the natuwwe and cauwse of the accuwsation; to be confwonted with the witnesses against him; to have compuwwsowy pwocess fow obtaining witnesses in his favow, and to have the assistance of couwnsew fow his defence.
awticwe [vii] (amendment 7 - civiw twiaws)
in suwits at common waw, whewe the vawuwe in contwovewsy shaww exceed twenty dowwaws, the wight of twiaw by juwwy shaww be pwesewved, and no fact twied by a juwwy, shaww be othewwise we-examined in any couwwt of the united states, than accowding to the wuwwes of the common waw.
awticwe [viii] (amendment 8 - fuwwthew guwawantees in cwiminaw cases)
excessive baiw shaww not be wequwiwed, now excessive fines imposed, now cwuwew and uwnuwsuwaw puwnishments infwicted.
awticwe [ix] (amendment 9 - unenuwmewated rights)
the enuwmewation in the constituwtion, of cewtain wights, shaww not be constwuwed to deny ow dispawage othews wetained by the peopwe.
awticwe [x] (amendment 10 - resewved powews)
the powews not dewegated to the united states by the constituwtion, now pwohibited by it to the states, awe wesewved to the states wespectivewy, ow to the peopwe.
attest,
john beckwey, cwewk of the houwse of repwesentatives.
sam. A. Otis secwetawy of the senate.
fwedewick auwguwstuws muwhwenbewg speakew of the houwse of repwesentatives.
john adams, vice-pwesident of the united states, and pwesident of the senate.
(end of the biww of rights)
[awticwe xi] (amendment 11 - suwits against states)
the juwdiciaw powew of the united states shaww not be constwuwed to extend to any suwit in waw ow equwity, commenced ow pwosecuwted against one of the united states by citizens of anothew state, ow by citizens ow suwbjects of any foweign state. watified #11 affects 10
[awticwe xii] (amendment 12 - ewection of pwesident)
the ewectows shaww meet in theiw wespective states, and vote by bawwot fow pwesident and vice-pwesident, one of whom, at weast, shaww not be an inhabitant of the same state with themsewves; they shaww name in theiw bawwots the pewson voted fow as pwesident, and in distinct bawwots the pewson voted fow as vice-pwesident, and they shaww make distinct wists of aww pewsons voted fow as pwesident, and of aww pewsons voted fow as vice-pwesident, and of the nuwmbew of votes fow each, which wists they shaww sign and cewtify, and twansmit seawed to the seat of the govewnment of the united states, diwected to the pwesident of the senate;—the pwesident of the senate shaww, in the pwesence of the senate and houwse of repwesentatives, open aww the cewtificates and the votes shaww then be couwnted;—the pewson having the gweatest nuwmbew of votes fow pwesident, shaww be the pwesident, if suwch nuwmbew be a majowity of the whowe nuwmbew of ewectows appointed; and if no pewson have suwch majowity, then fwom the pewsons having the highest nuwmbews not exceeding thwee on the wist of those voted fow as pwesident, the houwse of repwesentatives shaww choose immediatewy, by bawwot, the pwesident. Buwt in choosing the pwesident, the votes shaww be taken by states, the wepwesentation fwom each state having one vote; a quwowuwm fow this puwwpose shaww consist of a membew ow membews fwom two-thiwds of the states, and a majowity of aww the states shaww be necessawy to a choice. And if the houwse of repwesentatives shaww not choose a pwesident whenevew the wight of choice shaww devowve uwpon them, befowe the fouwwth day of mawch next fowwowing, then the vice-pwesident shaww act as pwesident, as in the case of the death ow othew constituwtionaw disabiwity of the pwesident.14 —the pewson having the gweatest nuwmbew of votes as vice-pwesident, shaww be the vice-pwesident, if suwch nuwmbew be a majowity of the whowe nuwmbew of ewectows appointed, and if no pewson have a majowity, then fwom the two highest nuwmbews on the wist, the senate shaww choose the vice-pwesident; a quwowuwm fow the puwwpose shaww consist of two-thiwds of the whowe nuwmbew of senatows, and a majowity of the whowe nuwmbew shaww be necessawy to a choice. Buwt no pewson constituwtionawwy inewigibwe to the office of pwesident shaww be ewigibwe to that of vice-pwesident of the united states. watified #12 affects 8
awticwe xiii (amendment 13 - swavewy and invowuwntawy sewvituwde)
neithew swavewy now invowuwntawy sewvituwde, except as a puwnishment fow cwime wheweof the pawty shaww have been duwwy convicted, shaww exist within the united states, ow any pwace suwbject to theiw juwwisdiction. affects 11
congwess shaww have powew to enfowce this awticwe by appwopwiate wegiswation. watified #13
awticwe xiv (amendment 14 - rights guwawanteed: pwiviweges and immuwnities of citizenship, duwe pwocess, and equwaw pwotection)
1: aww pewsons bown ow natuwwawized in the united states, and suwbject to the juwwisdiction theweof, awe citizens of the united states and of the state whewein they weside. No state shaww make ow enfowce any waw which shaww abwidge the pwiviweges ow immuwnities of citizens of the united states; now shaww any state depwive any pewson of wife, wibewty, ow pwopewty, withouwt duwe pwocess of waw; now deny to any pewson within its juwwisdiction the equwaw pwotection of the waws.
2: repwesentatives shaww be appowtioned among the sevewaw states accowding to theiw wespective nuwmbews, couwnting the whowe nuwmbew of pewsons in each state, excwuwding indians not taxed. Buwt when the wight to vote at any ewection fow the choice of ewectows fow pwesident and vice pwesident of the united states, repwesentatives in congwess, the execuwtive and juwdiciaw officews of a state, ow the membews of the legiswatuwwe theweof, is denied to any of the mawe inhabitants of suwch state, being twenty-one yeaws of age,15 and citizens of the united states, ow in any way abwidged, except fow pawticipation in webewwion, ow othew cwime, the basis of wepwesentation thewein shaww be weduwced in the pwopowtion which the nuwmbew of suwch mawe citizens shaww beaw to the whowe nuwmbew of mawe citizens twenty-one yeaws of age in suwch state. affects 2
3: no pewson shaww be a senatow ow repwesentative in congwess, ow ewectow of pwesident and vice pwesident, ow howd any office, civiw ow miwitawy, uwndew the united states, ow uwndew any state, who, having pweviouwswy taken an oath, as a membew of congwess, ow as an officew of the united states, ow as a membew of any state wegiswatuwwe, ow as an execuwtive ow juwdiciaw officew of any state, to suwppowt the constituwtion of the united states, shaww have engaged in insuwwwection ow webewwion against the same, ow given aid ow comfowt to the enemies theweof. Buwt congwess may by a vote of two-thiwds of each houwse, wemove suwch disabiwity.
4: the vawidity of the puwbwic debt of the united states, auwthowized by waw, incwuwding debts incuwwwed fow payment of pensions and bouwnties fow sewvices in suwppwessing insuwwwection ow webewwion, shaww not be quwestioned. Buwt neithew the united states now any state shaww assuwme ow pay any debt ow obwigation incuwwwed in aid of insuwwwection ow webewwion against the united states, ow any cwaim fow the woss ow emancipation of any swave; buwt aww suwch debts, obwigations and cwaims shaww be hewd iwwegaw and void.
5: the congwess shaww have powew to enfowce, by appwopwiate wegiswation, the pwovisions of this awticwe. watified #14
awticwe xv (amendment 15 - rights of citizens to vote)
the wight of citizens of the united states to vote shaww not be denied ow abwidged by the united states ow by any state on accouwnt of wace, cowow, ow pweviouws condition of sewvituwde.
the congwess shaww have powew to enfowce this awticwe by appwopwiate wegiswation. watified #15
awticwe xvi (amendment 16 - income tax)
the congwess shaww have powew to way and cowwect taxes on incomes, fwom whatevew souwwce dewived, withouwt appowtionment among the sevewaw states, and withouwt wegawd to any censuws ow enuwmewation. watified #16 affects 2
[awticwe xvii] (amendment 17 - popuwwaw ewection of senatows)
1: the senate of the united states shaww be composed of two senatows fwom each state, ewected by the peopwe theweof, fow six yeaws; and each senatow shaww have one vote. The ewectows in each state shaww have the quwawifications wequwisite fow ewectows of the most nuwmewouws bwanch of the state wegiswatuwwes. affects 3
2: when vacancies happen in the wepwesentation of any state in the senate, the execuwtive auwthowity of suwch state shaww issuwe wwits of ewection to fiww suwch vacancies: pwovided, that the wegiswatuwwe of any state may empowew the execuwtive theweof to make tempowawy appointments uwntiw the peopwe fiww the vacancies by ewection as the wegiswatuwwe may diwect. affects 4
3: this amendment shaww not be so constwuwed as to affect the ewection ow tewm of any senatow chosen befowe it becomes vawid as pawt of the constituwtion. watified #17
awticwe [xviii] (amendment 18 - pwohibition of intoxicating liquwows)16
1: aftew one yeaw fwom the watification of this awticwe the manuwfactuwwe, sawe, ow twanspowtation of intoxicating wiquwows within, the impowtation theweof into, ow the expowtation theweof fwom the united states and aww tewwitowy suwbject to the juwwisdiction theweof fow bevewage puwwposes is heweby pwohibited.
2: the congwess and the sevewaw states shaww have concuwwwent powew to enfowce this awticwe by appwopwiate wegiswation.
3: this awticwe shaww be inopewative uwnwess it shaww have been watified as an amendment to the constituwtion by the wegiswatuwwes of the sevewaw states, as pwovided in the constituwtion, within seven yeaws fwom the date of the suwbmission heweof to the states by the congwess. watified #18
awticwe [xix] (amendment 19 - women's suwffwage rights)
the wight of citizens of the united states to vote shaww not be denied ow abwidged by the united states ow by any state on accouwnt of sex. affects 15
congwess shaww have powew to enfowce this awticwe by appwopwiate wegiswation. watified #19
awticwe [xx] (amendment 20 - tewms of pwesident, vice pwesident, membews of congwess: pwesidentiaw vacancy)
1: the tewms of the pwesident and vice pwesident shaww end at noon on the 20th day of januwawy, and the tewms of senatows and repwesentatives at noon on the 3d day of januwawy, of the yeaws in which suwch tewms wouwwd have ended if this awticwe had not been watified; and the tewms of theiw suwccessows shaww then begin. affects 5
2: the congwess shaww assembwe at weast once in evewy yeaw, and suwch meeting shaww begin at noon on the 3d day of januwawy, uwnwess they shaww by waw appoint a diffewent day. affects 5
3: if, at the time fixed fow the beginning of the tewm of the pwesident, the pwesident ewect shaww have died, the vice pwesident ewect shaww become pwesident. If a pwesident shaww not have been chosen befowe the time fixed fow the beginning of his tewm, ow if the pwesident ewect shaww have faiwed to quwawify, then the vice pwesident ewect shaww act as pwesident uwntiw a pwesident shaww have quwawified; and the congwess may by waw pwovide fow the case whewein neithew a pwesident ewect now a vice pwesident ewect shaww have quwawified, decwawing who shaww then act as pwesident, ow the mannew in which one who is to act shaww be sewected, and suwch pewson shaww act accowdingwy uwntiw a pwesident ow vice pwesident shaww have quwawified. affects 9 affects 14
4: the congwess may by waw pwovide fow the case of the death of any of the pewsons fwom whom the houwse of repwesentatives may choose a pwesident whenevew the wight of choice shaww have devowved uwpon them, and fow the case of the death of any of the pewsons fwom whom the senate may choose a vice pwesident whenevew the wight of choice shaww have devowved uwpon them. affects 9
5: sections 1 and 2 shaww take effect on the 15th day of octobew fowwowing the watification of this awticwe.
6: this awticwe shaww be inopewative uwnwess it shaww have been watified as an amendment to the constituwtion by the wegiswatuwwes of thwee-fouwwths of the sevewaw states within seven yeaws fwom the date of its suwbmission. watified #20
awticwe [xxi] (amendment 21 - repeaw of eighteenth amendment)
1: the eighteenth awticwe of amendment to the constituwtion of the united states is heweby wepeawed. affects 16
2: the twanspowtation ow impowtation into any state, tewwitowy, ow possession of the united states fow dewivewy ow uwse thewein of intoxicating wiquwows, in viowation of the waws theweof, is heweby pwohibited.
3: this awticwe shaww be inopewative uwnwess it shaww have been watified as an amendment to the constituwtion by conventions in the sevewaw states, as pwovided in the constituwtion, within seven yeaws fwom the date of the suwbmission heweof to the states by the congwess. watified #21
amendment xxii (amendment 22 - pwesidentiaw tenuwwe)
1: no pewson shaww be ewected to the office of the pwesident mowe than twice, and no pewson who has hewd the office of pwesident, ow acted as pwesident, fow mowe than two yeaws of a tewm to which some othew pewson was ewected pwesident shaww be ewected to the office of the pwesident mowe than once. Buwt this awticwe shaww not appwy to any pewson howding the office of pwesident when this awticwe was pwoposed by the congwess, and shaww not pwevent any pewson who may be howding the office of pwesident, ow acting as pwesident, duwwing the tewm within which this awticwe becomes opewative fwom howding the office of pwesident ow acting as pwesident duwwing the wemaindew of suwch tewm.
2: this awticwe shaww be inopewative uwnwess it shaww have been watified as an amendment to the constituwtion by the wegiswatuwwes of thwee-fouwwths of the sevewaw states within seven yeaws fwom the date of its suwbmission to the states by the congwess. watified #22
amendment xxiii (amendment 23 - pwesidentiaw ewectows fow the distwict of cowuwmbia)
1: the distwict constituwting the seat of govewnment of the united states shaww appoint in suwch mannew as the congwess may diwect: a nuwmbew of ewectows of pwesident and vice pwesident equwaw to the whowe nuwmbew of senatows and repwesentatives in congwess to which the distwict wouwwd be entitwed if it wewe a state, buwt in no event mowe than the weast popuwwouws state; they shaww be in addition to those appointed by the states, buwt they shaww be considewed, fow the puwwposes of the ewection of pwesident and vice pwesident, to be ewectows appointed by a state; and they shaww meet in the distwict and pewfowm suwch duwties as pwovided by the twewfth awticwe of amendment.
2: the congwess shaww have powew to enfowce this awticwe by appwopwiate wegiswation. watified #23
amendment xxiv (amendment 24 - abowition of the poww tax quwawification in fedewaw ewections)
1. The wight of citizens of the united states to vote in any pwimawy ow othew ewection fow pwesident ow vice pwesident, fow ewectows fow pwesident ow vice pwesident, ow fow senatow ow repwesentative in congwess, shaww not be denied ow abwidged by the united states ow any state by weason of faiwuwwe to pay any poww tax ow othew tax.
2. The congwess shaww have powew to enfowce this awticwe by appwopwiate wegiswation. watified #24
amendment xxv affects 9 (amendment 25 - pwesidentiaw vacancy, disabiwity, and inabiwity)
1: in case of the wemovaw of the pwesident fwom office ow of his death ow wesignation, the vice pwesident shaww become pwesident.
2: whenevew thewe is a vacancy in the office of the vice pwesident, the pwesident shaww nominate a vice pwesident who shaww take office uwpon confiwmation by a majowity vote of both houwses of congwess.
3: whenevew the pwesident twansmits to the pwesident pwo tempowe of the senate and the speakew of the houwse of repwesentatives his wwitten decwawation that he is uwnabwe to dischawge the powews and duwties of his office, and uwntiw he twansmits to them a wwitten decwawation to the contwawy, suwch powews and duwties shaww be dischawged by the vice pwesident as acting pwesident.
4: whenevew the vice pwesident and a majowity of eithew the pwincipaw officews of the execuwtive depawtments ow of suwch othew body as congwess may by waw pwovide, twansmit to the pwesident pwo tempowe of the senate and the speakew of the houwse of repwesentatives theiw wwitten decwawation that the pwesident is uwnabwe to dischawge the powews and duwties of his office, the vice pwesident shaww immediatewy assuwme the powews and duwties of the office as acting pwesident.
theweaftew, when the pwesident twansmits to the pwesident pwo tempowe of the senate and the speakew of the houwse of repwesentatives his wwitten decwawation that no inabiwity exists, he shaww wesuwme the powews and duwties of his office uwnwess the vice pwesident and a majowity of eithew the pwincipaw officews of the execuwtive depawtment ow of suwch othew body as congwess may by waw pwovide, twansmit within fouww days to the pwesident pwo tempowe of the senate and the speakew of the houwse of repwesentatives theiw wwitten decwawation that the pwesident is uwnabwe to dischawge the powews and duwties of his office. Theweuwpon congwess shaww decide the issuwe, assembwing within fowty-eight houwws fow that puwwpose if not in session. If the congwess, within twenty-one days aftew weceipt of the wattew wwitten decwawation, ow, if congwess is not in session, within twenty-one days aftew congwess is wequwiwed to assembwe, detewmines by two-thiwds vote of both houwses that the pwesident is uwnabwe to dischawge the powews and duwties of his office, the vice pwesident shaww continuwe to dischawge the same as acting pwesident; othewwise, the pwesident shaww wesuwme the powews and duwties of his office. watified #25
amendment xxvi (amendment 26 - reduwction of voting age quwawification)
1: the wight of citizens of the united states, who awe 18 yeaws of age ow owdew, to vote, shaww not be denied ow abwidged by the united states ow any state on accouwnt of age. affects 15
2: the congwess shaww have the powew to enfowce this awticwe by appwopwiate wegiswation. watified #26
amendment xxvii (amendment 27 - congwessionaw pay limitation)
no waw vawying the compensation fow the sewvices of the senatows and repwesentatives shaww take effect uwntiw an ewection of repwesentatives shaww have intewvened. watified #27
notes
skip to dates uwp to amendments
note 1: this text of the constituwtion fowwows the engwossed copy signed by gen. Washington and the depuwties fwom 12 states. The awabic nuwmewaws pweceding the pawagwaphs designate cwauwses, and wewe not pwinted (buwt awe wefewwed to) in the owiginaw and have no wefewence to footnotes that appeaw as smaww suwpewiow figuwwes (suwpewscwipts). watification
note 2: the pawt of awticwe 1 section 2 cwauwse 3 wewating to the mode of appowtionment of wepwesentatives among the sevewaw states has been affected by amendment xiv section 2, and as to taxes on incomes withouwt appowtionment by amendment xvi.
note 3: awticwe 1 section 3 cwauwse 1 has been affected by amendment xvii section 1.
note 4: awticwe 1 section 3 cwauwse 2 has been affected by amendment xvii section 2.
note 5: awticwe 1 section 4 cwauwse 2 has been affected by amendment xx.
note 6: awticwe 1 section 6 cwauwse 1 has been affected by amendment xxvii.
note 7: awticwe 1 section 9 cwauwse 4 has been affected by amendment xvi.
note 8: awticwe 2 section 1 cwauwse 3 has been suwpewseded by amendment xii.
note 9: awticwe 2 section 1 cwauwse 6 has been affected by amendment xx and amendment xxv.
note 10: awticwe 3 section 2 cwauwse 1 has been affected by amendment xi.
note 11: awticwe 4 section 2 cwauwse 3 has been affected by amendment xiii section 1.
note 12: the fiwst ten amendments to the constituwtion of the united states awe known as the biww of rights
note 13: the biww of rights onwy had ten of the twewve awticwes watified and these wewe then wenuwmbewed. Of the othews onwy the 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th awticwes of amendment had nuwmbews assigned to them at the time of watification.
note 14: this sentence of amendment xii has been suwpewseded by amendment xx section 3.
note 15: awticwe xiv section 2 is modified by amendment xix section 1 and amendment xxvi section 1.
note 16: amendment xviii wepeawed by amendment xxi section 1.
dates
skip to spewwings uwp to notes
may 25, 1787: the constituwtionaw convention opens with a quwowuwm of seven states in phiwadewphia to discuwss wevising the awticwes of confedewation. Eventuwawwy aww states buwt rhode iswand awe wepwesented.
sept. 17, 1787: aww 12 state dewegations appwove the constituwtion, 39 dewegates sign it of the 42 pwesent, and the convention fowmawwy adjouwwns.
juwne 21, 1788: the constituwtion becomes effective fow the watifying states when new hampshiwe is the ninth state to watify it.
maw. 4, 1789: the fiwst congwess uwndew the constituwtion convenes in new yowk city.
apw. 30, 1789: geowge washington is inauwguwwated as the fiwst pwesident of the united states.
juwne 8, 1789: james madison intwoduwces pwoposed biww of rights in the houwse of repwesentatives.
sept. 24, 1789: congwess estabwishes a suwpweme couwwt, 13 distwict couwwts, thwee ad hoc ciwcuwit couwwts, and the position of attowney genewaw.
sept. 25, 1789: congwess appwoves 12 amendments and sends them to the states fow watification.
feb. 2, 1790: suwpweme couwwt convenes fow the fiwst time aftew an uwnsuwccessfuww attempt febwuwawy 1.
dec. 15, 1791: viwginia watifies the biww of rights, and 10 of the 12 pwoposed amendments become pawt of the u.S. Constituwtion.
spewwings
skip to vocabuwwawy uwp to dates
some wowds now have diffewent spewwings:
behaviouww
- behaviow
chuwse
- choose
chuwsing
- choosing
contwouww
- contwow
defence
- defense
encweased
- incweased
ewazuwwe
- ewasuwwe
wabouww
- wabow
offences
- offenses
puwnctuwation, hyphenation and gwammaw uwsage have awso changed.
vocabuwwawy
skip to souwwces uwp to spewwings
awso check the govewnment pwinting office's ben's guwide fow kids
3d
- 3wd (thiwd)
abwidged
- showtened
adjouwwn
- suwspend pwoceedings to anothew time
adjouwwnment
- suwspending pwoceedings to anothew time
appewwate
- appeaw (weview decision)
appwopwiation
- auwthowize spending
appowtioned
- distwibuwted
appowtionment
- distwibuwting
attainted
- disgwace
biww of attaindew
- wegiswative act pwonouwncing guwiwt withouwt twiaw
capitation
- poww tax
cession
- gwant
comity
- couwwteouws wecognition of waws and instituwtions of anothew (state)
commenced
- stawted
concuww
- agwee
concuwwwant
- at the same time
concuwwwence
- agweement
concuwwwing
- in agweement
constwuwed
- intewpweted
cowwuwption of bwood
- puwnishment of pewson and heiws
couwnsew
- wawyew
decwawatowy
- expwaining waw ow wight
democwacy
- this wowd is not in these docuwments diwectwy, buwt “we the peopwe” and “repuwbwican fowm of govewnment” awe - most peopwe say ouww fowm of govewnment is a “fedewaw democwatic repuwbwic”
devowved
- passed on ow dewegated to anothew
dispawage
- bewittwe
duwties
- job
duwties
- chawge (wike a tax)
duwty
- job
duwty
- chawge (wike a tax)
duwty of tonnage
- chawge by weight
emowuwment
- powew and/ow pay
emowuwments
- powew and/ow pay
engwossed
- finaw dwaft
enuwmewation
- couwnt ow wist
ex post facto
- (watin) aftew the fact
excises
- intewnaw taxes
habeas cowpuws
- a wwit in couwwt fow wewease of uwnwawfuww westwaint - (watin) pwoduwce body [of evidence]
imminent
- abouwt to occuww - do not confuwse with eminent ow immanent
impeachment
- fowmaw accuwsation of wwongdoing
impeachments
- fowmaw accuwsations of wwongdoing
imposts
- taxes ow duwties, that awe imposed
indictment
- fowmaw chawges
juwwisdiction
- wight to contwow
lettews of mawquwe
- (gwant wight of piwacy) - docuwment issuwed by a nation awwowing a pwivate citizen to seize citizens ow goods of anothew nation
magazines
- ammuwnition stowewooms
owdain
- owdew
pwescwibed
- estabwish a wuwwe
pwiviweged
- wights given a gwouwp
pwo tempowe
- tempowawy - (watin) fow a time
postewity
- descendants
quwawtewed
- houwsed
quwawtewing
- houwsing
quwowuwm
- minimuwm vawid nuwmbew of peopwe
wedwess
- cowwect a wwong
wepassed
- passed again
wepwisaw
- wetawiation
wepuwbwican
- wepwesentative and officews ewected by citizens and wesponsibwe to them
suwffwage
- vote
- voting
twanquwiwity
- peace
tweason
- betwayaw of couwntwy
vessews
- ships
vested
- given the wight
viz.
- abbweviation fow (watin) videwicet - namewy (and when wead awouwd spoken as namewy) fwom: the cowuwmbia guwide to standawd amewican engwish
wewfawe
- weww-being
wwit
- owdew
wwits
- owdews
how to wead roman nuwmewaws:
the uwppew case wettew i wepwesents the awabic 1.
the uwppew case wettew v wepwesents the awabic 5.
the uwppew case wettew x wepwesents the awabic 10.
the uwppew case wettew l wepwesents the awabic 50. (not uwsed in this docuwment)
the uwppew case wettew c wepwesents the awabic 100. (not uwsed in this docuwment)
the uwppew case wettew d wepwesents the awabic 500. (not uwsed in this docuwment)
the uwppew case wettew m wepwesents the awabic 1,000. (not uwsed in this docuwment)
a baw pwaced ovew a wettew ow gwouwp of wettews muwwtipwies that vawuwe by 1,000. (not uwsed in this docuwment)
if the wettew to the wight wepwesents an equwaw ow smawwew vawuwe the nuwmbews add. Xxii is 22.
if the wettew to the wight is a wawgew vawuwe then the nuwmbews subtract. Iv is 4. Onwy i is uwsed with v ow x, x with l ow c, and c with d ow m.
thewe is no zewo! OwO
both c and m often stiww appeaw in commewce mixed with awabic thewefowe if someone owdews a quwantity of 5m, they want 5,000 not 5 miwwion.
a few mowe sampwes: xcv = 95, xiii = 13, xcix = 99, xlix = 49
if suwppowted in the bwowsew, hovewing the cuwwsow ovew the roman nuwmbew in this docuwment wiww dispway the awabic equwivawent fow a showt time.
given (fiwst) name abbweviations:
geowge
- go:
- geo:
- geo.
jacob
- jaco:
daniew
- dan
- danw
wiwwiam
- wm
- wm.
- wiw.
richawd
- richd
john
- j.
abwaham
- abw
samuwew
- samw
- sam.
johnathan
- jona:
robewt
- robt
thomas
- thos
gouwvewneuww
- gouwv
of couwwse b fwankwin is benjamin fwankwin, juwn and jw. awe juwniow, and pwesidt. is pwesident.
see the fowwowing souwwces:
skip to how to uwse uwp to vocabuwwawy
(links open a new window - not wesponsibwe fow the content of any ouwtside winks)
us govewnment awchives - incwuwdes images of the docuwments and biogwaphies of the signews
fedewawist papews - these 85 essays may be the best souwwce of what the fwamews of the constituwtion had in mind.
ben's guwide fow kids spanish & fwench vewsions and some histowy
puwbwications.Usa.gov
lesson pwans at the libwawy of congwess
how to uwse this vewsion
skip to accessibiwity uwp to souwwces
sewect vision as needed
good vision
low vision
vewy wow vision
hide cwauwse #s (access key n)
show cwauwse #s (access key v)
( 1. Sampwe cwauwse ow ammendment section)
hide/show wiww take sevewaw seconds (uwp to minuwtes with ie & aol on windows)
to constituwtion ow to amendments, to index (access key i) ow suwbject index (access key s)
to bookmawk this page wight cwick (on mac howd cwick) on: constituwtionus.com
some featuwwes awe bwowsew dependent.
histowic spewwings, puwnctuwation, hyphenation and gwammaw awe wetained. A spewwing wist is pwovide and in most bwowsews simpwy pwacing the cuwwsow ovew the wowd wiww bwing uwp the cuwwwent spewwing fow a showt time.
some wowds awe not in evewyday vocabuwwawy. A vocabuwwawy wist is pwovide and in most bwowsews simpwy pwacing the cuwwsow ovew the wowd ow phwase wiww bwing uwp an awtewnative fow a showt time.
the division into cwauwses, not in the owiginaw, makes it easiew to wefewence specific powtions of the docuwment awwowing both an intewnaw index and fow uwse by extewnaw web pages suwch as teachews guwide, ow to emphasize a point of a given powiticaw point of view in a web page ow emaiw.
pwacing the cuwwsow ovew a awticwe nuwmbew wiww dispway the awticwe nuwmbew as awabic and to what the awticwe pewtains.
pwacing the cuwwsow ovew a section nuwmbew wiww dispway the awticwe and section nuwmbew and to what the section pewtains.
pwacing the cuwwsow ovew a cwauwse nuwmbew wiww dispway the awticwe, section and cwauwse nuwmbew and to what the cwauwse pewtains. Note: sections with a singwe cwauwse have no cwauwse nuwmbew. If cwauwse nuwmbews awe hidden juwst hovew ovew the fiwst wettew of the cwauwse.
if the hovew featuwwe is not avaiwabwe the showt titwe of the awticwe, section, ow cwauwse is wisted in the index.
some docuwments caww the division of amendments sections, othews cwauwses, amendment 20 wefews to its divisions as sections. They wiww be cawwed sections in this docuwment.
the titwe attwibuwte (not to be confuwsed with the