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8/8/2019 The Bill of Rights Institute Constitution
1/24
TheBillofRightsInstituEducatingYoungPeopleabouttheConstitut
200NorthGlebeRoad,Suite200,Arlington,Virginia2220
Phone:703
894
1776
www.BillofRightsInstitute.or
Of the
United States
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TheBillofRightsInstitEducatingYoungPeopleabouttheConsti
We the people
oftheUnitedStates,inordertoformamore
perfectunion,establishjustice,insure
domestictranquility,provideforthe
commondefense,promotethegeneral
welfare,andsecuretheblessingsofliberty
toourselvesandourposterity,doordain
andestablishthisConstitutionforthe
UnitedStatesofAmerica.
Article1SECTION1.AlllegislativepowershereingrantedshallbevestedinaCongressofthe
UnitedStates,whichshallconsistofa
SenateandHouseofRepresentatives.
SECTION2.TheHouseofRepresentativesshallbecomposedofmemberschosen
everysecondyearbythepeopleofthe
severalstates,andtheelectorsineachstate
shallhavethequalificationsrequisitefor
electorsofthemostnumerousbranchofthe
statelegislature.
NopersonshallbeaRepresentativewho
shallnothaveattainedtotheageoftwentyfiveyears,andbeensevenyearsacitizenof
theUnitedStates,andwhoshallnot,when
elected,beaninhabitantofthatstatein
whichheshallbechosen.
Representativesanddirecttaxesshallbe
apportionedamong
the
several
states
which
maybeincludedwithinthisunion,
accordingtotheirrespectivenumbers,
whichshallbedeterminedbyaddingtothe
wholenumberoffreepersons,including
thoseboundtoserviceforatermofyears,
andexcludingIndiansnottaxed,threefifths
ofallotherPersons.TheactualEnumeration
shallbemadewithinthreeyearsafterthe
firstmeetingoftheCongressoftheUnited
States,andwithineverysubsequenttermof
tenyears,insuchmannerastheyshallby
lawdirect.ThenumberofRepresentatives
shallnotexceedoneforeverythirty
thousand,buteachstateshallhaveatleast
oneRepresentative;anduntilsuch
enumerationshallbemade,thestateof
NewHampshireshallbeentitledtochuse
three,Massachusettseight,RhodeIsland
andProvidencePlantationsone,
Connecticutfive,NewYorksix,NewJersey
four,Pennsylvaniaeight,Delawareone,Marylandsix,Virginiaten,NorthCarolina
five,SouthCarolinafive,andGeorgiathree.
Whenvacancieshappeninthe
Representationfromanystate,theexecutive
authoritythereofshallissuewritsof
electiontofillsuchvacancies.
TheHouseofRepresentativesshallchoose
theirspeaker
and
other
officers;
and
shall
havethesolepowerofimpeachment.
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TheBillofRightsInstitEducatingYoungPeopleabouttheConsti
SECTION3.TheSenateoftheUnitedStatesshallbecomposedoftwoSenators
fromeachstate,chosenbythelegislature
thereof,for
six
years;
and
each
Senator
shall
haveonevote.
Immediatelyaftertheyshallbeassembled
inconsequenceofthefirstelection,they
shallbedividedasequallyasmaybeinto
threeclasses.TheseatsoftheSenatorsofthe
firstclassshallbevacatedattheexpiration
ofthesecondyear,ofthesecondclassatthe
expirationofthefourthyear,andthethird
classattheexpirationofthesixthyear,so
thatonethirdmaybechoseneverysecond
year;andifvacancieshappenby
resignation,orotherwise,duringtherecess
ofthelegislatureofanystate,theexecutive
thereofmaymaketemporaryappointments
untilthenextmeetingofthelegislature,
whichshallthenfillsuchvacancies.
NopersonshallbeaSenatorwhoshallnot
haveattainedtotheageofthirtyyears,and
beennineyearsacitizenoftheUnitedStatesandwhoshallnot,whenelected,be
aninhabitantofthatstateforwhichheshall
bechosen.
TheVicePresidentoftheUnitedStatesshall
bePresidentoftheSenate,butshallhaveno
vote,unlesstheybeequallydivided.
TheSenateshallchoosetheirotherofficers,
and
also
a
President
pro
tempore,
in
the
absenceoftheVicePresident,orwhenhe
shallexercisetheofficeofPresidentofthe
UnitedStates.
TheSenateshallhavethesolepowertotry
allimpeachments.Whensittingforthat
purpose,theyshallbeonoathor
affirmation.When
the
President
of
the
UnitedStatesistried,theChiefJusticeshall
preside:Andnopersonshallbeconvicted
withouttheconcurrenceoftwothirdsofthe
memberspresent.
Judgmentincasesofimpeachmentshallnot
extendfurtherthantoremovalfromoffice,
anddisqualificationtoholdandenjoyany
officeofhonor,trustorprofitunderthe
UnitedStates:butthepartyconvictedshall
neverthelessbeliableandsubjectto
indictment,trial,judgmentand
punishment,accordingtolaw.
SECTION4.Thetimes,placesandmannerofholdingelectionsforSenatorsand
Representatives,shallbeprescribedineach
statebythelegislaturethereof;butthe
Congressmayatanytimebylawmakeoraltersuchregulations,exceptastothe
placesofchoosingSenators.
TheCongressshallassembleatleastoncein
everyyear,andsuchmeetingshallbeonthe
firstMondayinDecember,unlesstheyshall
bylawappointadifferentday.
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TheBillofRightsInstitEducatingYoungPeopleabouttheConsti
SECTION5.EachHouseshallbethejudgeoftheelections,returnsandqualificationsof
itsownmembers,andamajorityofeach
shallconstitute
aquorum
to
do
business;
butasmallernumbermayadjournfrom
daytoday,andmaybeauthorizedto
compeltheattendanceofabsentmembers,
insuchmanner,andundersuchpenalties
aseachHousemayprovide.
EachHousemaydeterminetherulesofits
proceedings,punishitsmembersfor
disorderlybehavior,and,withthe
concurrenceoftwothirds,expelamember.
EachHouseshallkeepajournalofits
proceedings,andfromtimetotimepublish
thesame,exceptingsuchpartsasmayin
theirjudgmentrequiresecrecy;andtheyeas
andnaysofthemembersofeitherHouseon
anyquestionshall,atthedesireofonefifth
ofthosepresent,beenteredonthejournal.
NeitherHouse,duringthesessionof
Congress,shall,withouttheconsentoftheother,adjournformorethanthreedays,nor
toanyotherplacethanthatinwhichthe
twoHousesshallbesitting.
SECTION6.TheSenatorsandRepresentativesshallreceivea
compensationfortheirservices,tobe
ascertained
by
law,
and
paid
out
of
the
treasuryoftheUnitedStates.Theyshallin
allcases,excepttreason,felonyandbreach
ofthepeace,beprivilegedfromarrest
duringtheirattendanceatthesessionof
theirrespectiveHouses,andingoingtoand
returningfromthesame;andforany
speechordebateineitherHouse,theyshall
notbequestionedinanyotherplace.
NoSenatororRepresentativeshall,during
thetimeforwhichhewaselected,be
appointedtoanycivilofficeunderthe
authorityoftheUnitedStates,whichshall
havebeencreated,ortheemoluments
whereofshallhavebeenincreasedduring
suchtime:andnopersonholdinganyoffice
undertheUnitedStates,shallbeamember
ofeitherHouseduringhiscontinuancein
office.
SECTION7.AllbillsforraisingrevenueshalloriginateintheHouseof
Representatives;buttheSenatemay
proposeorconcurwithamendmentsason
otherBills.
Everybillwhichshallhavepassedthe
Houseof
Representatives
and
the
Senate,
shall,beforeitbecomealaw,bepresented
tothePresidentoftheUnitedStates;ifhe
approveheshallsignit,butifnotheshall
returnit,withhisobjectionstothatHouse
inwhichitshallhaveoriginated,whoshall
entertheobjectionsatlargeontheirjournal,
andproceedtoreconsiderit.Ifaftersuch
reconsiderationtwothirdsofthatHouse
shallagreetopassthebill,itshallbesent,
together
with
the
objections,
to
the
other
House,bywhichitshalllikewisebe
reconsidered,andifapprovedbytwothirds
ofthatHouse,itshallbecomealaw.Butin
allsuchcasesthevotesofbothHousesshall
bedeterminedbyyeasandnays,andthe
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TheBillofRightsInstitEducatingYoungPeopleabouttheConsti
namesofthepersonsvotingforandagainst
thebillshallbeenteredonthejournalof
eachHouserespectively.Ifanybillshallnot
bereturned
by
the
President
within
ten
days(Sundaysexcepted)afteritshallhave
beenpresentedtohim,thesameshallbea
law,inlikemannerasifhehadsignedit,
unlesstheCongressbytheiradjournment
preventitsreturn,inwhichcaseitshallnot
bealaw.
Everyorder,resolution,orvotetowhichthe
concurrenceoftheSenateandHouseof
Representativesmaybenecessary(except
onaquestionofadjournment)shallbe
presentedtothePresidentoftheUnited
States;andbeforethesameshalltakeeffect,
shallbeapprovedbyhim,orbeing
disapprovedbyhim,shallberepassedby
twothirdsoftheSenateandHouseof
Representatives,accordingtotherulesand
limitationsprescribedinthecaseofabill.
SECTION8.TheCongressshallhavepowertolayandcollecttaxes,duties,
impostsandexcises,topaythedebtsand
provideforthecommondefenseand
generalwelfareoftheUnitedStates;butall
duties,impostsandexcisesshallbeuniform
throughouttheUnitedStates;
Toborrowmoneyonthecreditofthe
United
States;
Toregulatecommercewithforeignnations,
andamongtheseveralstates,andwiththe
Indiantribes;
Toestablishauniformruleof
naturalization,anduniformlawsonthe
subjectofbankruptciesthroughoutthe
UnitedStates;
Tocoinmoney,regulatethevaluethereof,
andofforeigncoin,andfixthestandardof
weightsandmeasures;
Toprovideforthepunishmentof
counterfeitingthesecuritiesandcurrent
coinoftheUnitedStates;
Toestablishpostofficesandpostroads;
Topromotetheprogressofscienceand
usefularts,bysecuringforlimitedtimesto
authorsandinventorstheexclusiverightto
theirrespectivewritingsanddiscoveries;
Toconstitutetribunalsinferiortothe
SupremeCourt;
Todefineandpunishpiraciesandfelonies
committedon
the
high
seas,
and
offenses
againstthelawofnations;
Todeclarewar,grantlettersofmarqueand
reprisal,andmakerulesconcerning
capturesonlandandwater;
Toraiseandsupportarmies,butno
appropriationofmoneytothatuseshallbe
foralongertermthantwoyears;
Toprovideandmaintainanavy;
Tomakerulesforthegovernmentand
regulationofthelandandnavalforces;
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TheBillofRightsInstitEducatingYoungPeopleabouttheConsti
Toprovideforcallingforththemilitiato
executethelawsoftheunion,suppress
insurrectionsandrepelinvasions;
Toprovidefororganizing,arming,and
disciplining,themilitia,andforgoverning
suchpartofthemasmaybeemployedin
theserviceoftheUnitedStates,reservingto
thestatesrespectively,theappointmentof
theofficers,andtheauthorityoftrainingthe
militiaaccordingtothediscipline
prescribedbyCongress;
Toexerciseexclusivelegislationinallcases
whatsoever,oversuchDistrict(not
exceedingtenmilessquare)asmay,by
cessionofparticularstates,andthe
acceptanceofCongress,becometheseatof
thegovernmentoftheUnitedStates,andto
exerciselikeauthorityoverallplaces
purchasedbytheconsentofthelegislature
ofthestateinwhichthesameshallbe,for
theerectionofforts,magazines,arsenals,
dockyards,andotherneedfulbuildings;
And
Tomakealllawswhichshallbenecessary
andproperforcarryingintoexecutionthe
foregoingpowers,andallotherpowers
vestedbythisConstitutioninthe
governmentoftheUnitedStates,orinany
departmentorofficerthereof.
SECTION9.Themigrationorimportationofsuchpersonsasanyofthestatesnow
existingshallthinkpropertoadmit,shall
notbe
prohibited
by
the
Congress
prior
to
theyearonethousandeighthundredand
eight,butataxordutymaybeimposedon
suchimportation,notexceedingtendollars
foreachperson.
Theprivilegeofthewritofhabeascorpus
shallnotbesuspended,unlesswhenin
casesofrebellionorinvasionthepublic
safetymayrequireit.
NobillofattainderorexpostfactoLaw
shallbepassed.
Nocapitation,orotherdirect,taxshallbe
laid,unlessinproportiontothecensusor
enumerationhereinbeforedirectedtobe
taken.
Notaxordutyshallbelaidonarticles
exportedfromanystate.
Nopreferenceshallbegivenbyany
regulationofcommerceorrevenuetothe
portsofonestateoverthoseofanother:nor
shallvesselsboundto,orfrom,onestate,be
obligedtoenter,clearorpaydutiesin
another.
Nomoneyshallbedrawnfromthe
treasury,butinconsequenceof
appropriationsmadebylaw;andaregular
statementandaccountofreceiptsand
expendituresofallpublicmoneyshallbe
publishedfromtimetotime.
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TheBillofRightsInstitEducatingYoungPeopleabouttheConsti
Notitleofnobilityshallbegrantedbythe
UnitedStates:andnopersonholdingany
officeofprofitortrustunderthem,shall,
withoutthe
consent
of
the
Congress,
accept
ofanypresent,emolument,office,ortitle,of
anykindwhatever,fromanyking,prince,
orforeignstate.
SECTION10.Nostateshallenterintoanytreaty,alliance,orconfederation;grant
lettersofmarqueandreprisal;coinmoney;
emitbillsofcredit;makeanythingbutgold
andsilvercoinatenderinpaymentof
debts;passanybillofattainder,expost
factolaw,orlawimpairingtheobligationof
contracts,orgrantanytitleofnobility.
Nostateshall,withouttheconsentofthe
Congress,layanyimpostsordutieson
importsorexports,exceptwhatmaybe
absolutelynecessaryforexecutingits
inspectionlaws:andthenetproduceofall
dutiesandimposts,laidbyanystateonimportsorexports,shallbefortheuseof
thetreasuryoftheUnitedStates;andall
suchlawsshallbesubjecttotherevision
andcontroloftheCongress.
Nostateshall,withouttheconsentof
Congress,layanydutyoftonnage,keep
troops,orshipsofwarintimeofpeace,
enterintoanyagreementorcompactwith
another
state,
or
with
a
foreign
power,
or
engageinwar,unlessactuallyinvaded,or
insuchimminentdangeraswillnotadmit
ofdelay.
Article11SECTION1.TheexecutivepowershallbevestedinaPresidentoftheUnitedStatesof
America.Heshallholdhisofficeduringthe
termoffouryears,and,togetherwiththe
VicePresident,chosenforthesameterm,be
elected,asfollows:
Eachstateshallappoint,insuchmanneras
theLegislaturethereofmaydirect,a
number
of
electors,
equal
to
the
whole
numberofSenatorsandRepresentativesto
whichtheStatemaybeentitledinthe
Congress:butnoSenatororRepresentative,
orpersonholdinganofficeoftrustorprofit
undertheUnitedStates,shallbeappointed
anelector.
Theelectorsshallmeetintheirrespective
states,andvotebyballotfortwopersons,of
whomoneatleastshallnotbeaninhabitant
ofthesamestatewiththemselves.Andtheyshallmakealistofallthepersonsvotedfor,
andofthenumberofvotesforeach;which
listtheyshallsignandcertify,andtransmit
sealedtotheseatofthegovernmentofthe
UnitedStates,directedtothePresidentof
theSenate.ThePresidentoftheSenate
shall,inthepresenceoftheSenateand
HouseofRepresentatives,openallthe
certificates,andthevotesshallthenbe
counted.The
person
having
the
greatest
numberofvotesshallbethePresident,if
suchnumberbeamajorityofthewhole
numberofelectorsappointed;andifthere
bemorethanonewhohavesuchmajority,
andhaveanequalnumberofvotes,then
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TheBillofRightsInstitEducatingYoungPeopleabouttheConsti
theHouseofRepresentativesshall
immediatelychoosebyballotoneofthem
forPresident;andifnopersonhavea
majority,then
from
the
five
highest
on
the
listthesaidHouseshallinlikemanner
choosethePresident.Butinchoosingthe
President,thevotesshallbetakenbyStates,
therepresentationfromeachstatehaving
onevote;Aquorumforthispurposeshall
consistofamemberormembersfromtwo
thirdsofthestates,andamajorityofallthe
statesshallbenecessarytoachoice.In
everycase,afterthechoiceofthePresident,
thepersonhavingthegreatestnumberof
votesoftheelectorsshallbetheVice
President.Butifthereshouldremaintwoor
morewhohaveequalvotes,theSenateshall
choosefromthembyballottheVice
President.
TheCongressmaydeterminethetimeof
choosingtheelectors,andthedayonwhich
theyshallgivetheirvotes;whichdayshall
bethesamethroughouttheUnitedStates.
Nopersonexceptanaturalborncitizen,ora
citizenoftheUnitedStates,atthetimeof
theadoptionofthisConstitution,shallbe
eligibletotheofficeofPresident;neither
shallanypersonbeeligibletothatoffice
whoshallnothaveattainedtotheageof
thirtyfiveyears,andbeenfourteenYearsa
residentwithintheUnitedStates.
Incase
of
the
removal
of
the
President
from
office,orofhisdeath,resignation,or
inabilitytodischargethepowersandduties
ofthesaidoffice,thesameshalldevolveon
theVicePresident,andtheCongressmay
bylawprovideforthecaseofremoval,
death,resignationorinability,bothofthe
PresidentandVicePresident,declaring
whatofficershallthenactasPresident,and
suchofficer
shall
act
accordingly,
until
the
disabilityberemoved,oraPresidentshall
beelected.
ThePresidentshall,atstatedtimes,receive
forhisservices,acompensation,whichshall
neitherbeincreasednordiminishedduring
theperiodforwhichheshallhavebeen
elected,andheshallnotreceivewithinthat
periodanyotheremolumentfromthe
UnitedStates,oranyofthem.
Beforeheenterontheexecutionofhis
office,heshalltakethefollowingoathor
affirmation:Idosolemnlyswear(or
affirm)thatIwillfaithfullyexecutethe
officeofPresidentoftheUnitedStates,and
willtothebestofmyability,preserve,
protectanddefendtheConstitutionofthe
UnitedStates.
SECTION2.ThePresidentshallbecommanderinchiefoftheArmyandNavy
oftheUnitedStates,andofthemilitiaofthe
severalstates,whencalledintotheactual
serviceoftheUnitedStates;hemayrequire
theopinion,inwriting,oftheprincipal
officerineachoftheexecutivedepartments,
uponanysubjectrelatingtothedutiesof
their
respective
offices,
and
he
shall
have
powertograntreprievesandpardonsfor
offensesagainsttheUnitedStates,exceptin
casesofimpeachment.
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TheBillofRightsInstitEducatingYoungPeopleabouttheConsti
Heshallhavepower,byandwiththe
adviceandconsentoftheSenate,tomake
treaties,providedtwothirdsoftheSenators
presentconcur;
and
he
shall
nominate,
and
byandwiththeadviceandconsentofthe
Senate,shallappointambassadors,other
publicministersandconsuls,judgesofthe
SupremeCourt,andallotherofficersofthe
UnitedStates,whoseappointmentsarenot
hereinotherwiseprovidedfor,andwhich
shallbeestablishedbylaw:butthe
Congressmaybylawvesttheappointment
ofsuchinferiorofficers,astheythink
proper,inthePresidentalone,inthecourts
oflaw,orintheheadsofdepartments.
ThePresidentshallhavepowertofillupall
vacanciesthatmayhappenduringthe
recessoftheSenate,bygranting
commissionswhichshallexpireattheend
oftheirnextsession.
SECTION3.HeshallfromtimetotimegivetotheCongressinformationofthestate
oftheunion,andrecommendtotheir
considerationsuchmeasuresasheshall
judgenecessaryandexpedient;hemay,on
extraordinaryoccasions,conveneboth
Houses,oreitherofthem,andincaseof
disagreementbetweenthem,withrespectto
thetimeofadjournment,hemayadjourn
themtosuchtimeasheshallthinkproper;
heshall
receive
ambassadors
and
other
publicministers;heshalltakecarethatthe
lawsbefaithfullyexecuted,andshall
commissionalltheofficersoftheUnited
States.
SECTION4.ThePresident,VicePresidentandallcivilofficersoftheUnitedStates,
shallberemovedfromofficeon
impeachmentfor,
and
conviction
of,
treason,bribery,orotherhighcrimesand
misdemeanors.
Article111SECTION1.ThejudicialpoweroftheUnitedStates,shallbevestedinone
Supreme
Court,
and
in
such
inferior
courts
astheCongressmayfromtimetotime
ordainandestablish.Thejudges,bothofthe
supremeandinferiorcourts,shallholdtheir
officesduringgoodbehaviour,andshall,at
statedtimes,receivefortheirservices,a
compensation,whichshallnotbe
diminishedduringtheircontinuancein
office.
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TheBillofRightsInstitEducatingYoungPeopleabouttheConsti
Nopersonheldtoserviceorlaborinone
state,underthelawsthereof,escapinginto
another,shall,inconsequenceofanylawor
regulationtherein,
be
discharged
from
such
serviceorlabor,butshallbedeliveredup
onclaimofthepartytowhomsuchservice
orlabormaybedue.
SECTION3.NewstatesmaybeadmittedbytheCongressintothisunion;butnonew
statesshallbeformedorerectedwithinthe
jurisdictionofanyotherstate;noranystate
beformedbythejunctionoftwoormore
states,orpartsofstates,withouttheconsent
ofthelegislaturesofthestatesconcernedas
wellasoftheCongress.
TheCongressshallhavepowertodispose
ofandmakeallneedfulrulesand
regulationsrespectingtheterritoryorother
propertybelongingtotheUnitedStates;
andnothinginthisConstitutionshallbeso
construedastoprejudiceanyclaimsoftheUnitedStates,orofanyparticularstate.
SECTION4.TheUnitedStatesshallguaranteetoeverystateinthisuniona
republicanformofgovernment,andshall
protecteachofthemagainstinvasion;and
onapplicationofthelegislature,orofthe
executive
(when
the
legislature
cannot
be
convened)againstdomesticviolence.
ArticleV
TheCongress,whenevertwothirdsofbothhousesshalldeemitnecessary,shall
proposeamendmentstothisConstitution,
or,ontheapplicationofthelegislaturesof
twothirdsoftheseveralstates,shallcalla
conventionforproposingamendments,
which,ineithercase,shallbevalidtoall
intentsandpurposes,aspartofthis
Constitution,whenratifiedbythe
legislaturesofthreefourthsoftheseveral
states,or
by
conventions
in
three
fourths
thereof,astheoneortheothermodeof
ratificationmaybeproposedbythe
Congress;providedthatnoamendment
whichmaybemadepriortotheyearone
thousandeighthundredandeightshallin
anymanneraffectthefirstandfourth
clausesintheninthsectionofthefirst
article;andthatnostate,withoutits
consent,shallbedeprivedofitsequal
suffrageintheSenate.
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TheBillofRightsInstitEducatingYoungPeopleabouttheConsti
Article V1Alldebtscontractedandengagements
enteredinto,beforetheadoptionofthis
Constitution,shallbeasvalidagainstthe
UnitedStatesunderthisConstitution,as
undertheConfederation.
ThisConstitution,andthelawsofthe
UnitedStateswhichshallbemadein
pursuancethereof;andalltreatiesmade,or
which
shall
be
made,
under
the
authority
of
theUnitedStates,shallbethesupremelaw
oftheland;andthejudgesineverystate
shallbeboundthereby,anythinginthe
ConstitutionorlawsofanyStatetothe
contrarynotwithstanding.
TheSenatorsandRepresentativesbefore
mentioned,andthemembersoftheseveral
statelegislatures,andallexecutiveand
judicialofficers,bothoftheUnitedStates
andoftheseveralstates,shallbeboundbyoathoraffirmation,tosupportthis
Constitution;butnoreligioustestshallever
berequiredasaqualificationtoanyoffice
orpublictrustundertheUnitedStates.
ArticleV11Theratificationoftheconventionsofnine
states,shallbesufficientforthe
establishmentofthisConstitutionbetween
thestatessoratifyingthesame.
Doneinconventionbytheunanimous
consentofthestatespresenttheseventeenth
dayofSeptemberintheyearofourLord
onethousandsevenhundredandeighty
seven
and
of
the
independence
of
the
UnitedStatesofAmericathetwelfth.In
witnesswhereofWehavehereunto
subscribedourNames,
G.WashingtonPresidt.
anddeputyfromVirginia
NEWHAMPSHIREJohnLangdon
NicholasGilman
MASSACHUSETTSNathanielGorham
RufusKing
CONNECTICUTWm:Saml.Johnson
RogerSherman
NEWYORKAlexander
Hamilton
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TheBillofRightsInstitEducatingYoungPeopleabouttheConsti
NEWJERSEYWil:Livingston
DavidBrearly
Wm.Paterson
Jona:Dayton
PENNSYLVANIAB.Franklin
ThomasMifflin
Robt.Morris
Geo.Clymer
Thos.FitzSimons
JaredIngersoll
JamesWilson
GouvMorris
DELAWAREGeo:Read
GunningBedfordjun
JohnDickinson
RichardBassett
Jaco:Broom
MARYLANDJamesMcHenryDanofStThos.Jenifer
DanlCarroll
VIRGINIAJohnBlair
JamesMadisonJr.
NORTHCAROLINAWm.Blount
Richd.Dobbs
Spaight
HuWilliamson
SOUTHCAROLINAJ.Rutledge
CharlesCotesworthPinckney
CharlesPinckney
PierceButler
GEORGIAWilliamFew
AbrBaldwin
TheConventionsofanumberoftheStates
having,atthetimeofadoptingthe
Constitution,expressedadesire,inorderto
preventmisconstructionorabuseofits
powers,thatfurtherdeclaratoryand
restrictiveclausesshouldbeadded,andas
extendingthegroundofpublicconfidence
intheGovernmentwillbestinsurethe
beneficentendsofitsinstitution;
Resolved,bytheSenateandHouseof
RepresentativesoftheUnitedStatesof
America,inCongressassembled,twothirds
ofbothHousesconcurring,thatthefollowingarticlesbeproposedtothe
LegislaturesoftheseveralStates,as
amendmentstotheConstitutionofthe
UnitedStates;alloranyofwhicharticles,
whenratifiedbythreefourthsofthesaid
Legislatures,tobevalidtoallintentsand
purposesaspartofthesaidConstitution,
namely:
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TheBillofRightsInstitEducatingYoungPeopleabouttheConsti
Amendment1Congressshallmakenolawrespectingan
establishmentofreligion,orprohibitingthe
freeexercisethereof;orabridgingthe
freedomofspeech,orofthepress;orthe
rightofthepeoplepeaceablytoassemble,
andtopetitionthegovernmentforaredress
ofgrievances.
Amendment11Awellregulatedmilitia,beingnecessaryto
thesecurityofafreestate,therightofthe
peopletokeepandbeararms,shallnotbe
infringed.
Amendment111Nosoldiershall,intimeofpeacebe
quarteredinanyhouse,withouttheconsent
oftheowner,norintimeofwar,butina
mannertobeprescribedbylaw.
Amendment1VTherightofthepeopletobesecureintheir
persons,houses,papers,andeffects,against
unreasonablesearchesandseizures,shall
notbeviolated,andnowarrantsshallissue,
butuponprobablecause,supportedbyoath
oraffirmation,andparticularlydescribing
theplacetobesearched,andthepersonsor
thingstobeseized.
AmendmentVNopersonshallbeheldtoanswerfora
capital,orotherwiseinfamouscrime,unless
onapresentmentorindictmentofagrand
jury,exceptincasesarisinginthelandor
navalforces,orinthemilitia,whenin
actualserviceintimeofwarorpublic
danger;norshallanypersonbesubjectfor
thesame
offense
to
be
twice
put
in
jeopardy
oflifeorlimb;norshallbecompelledinany
criminalcasetobeawitnessagainst
himself,norbedeprivedoflife,liberty,or
property,withoutdueprocessoflaw;nor
shallprivatepropertybetakenforpublic
use,withoutjustcompensation.
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TheBillofRightsInstitEducatingYoungPeopleabouttheConsti
AmendmentV1Inallcriminalprosecutions,theaccused
shallenjoytherighttoaspeedyandpublic
trial,byanimpartialjuryofthestateand
districtwhereinthecrimeshallhavebeen
committed,whichdistrictshallhavebeen
previouslyascertainedbylaw,andtobe
informedofthenatureandcauseofthe
accusation;tobeconfrontedwiththe
witnessesagainsthim;tohavecompulsory
process
for
obtaining
witnesses
in
his
favor,
andtohavetheassistanceofcounselforhis
defense.
Amendment V11Insuitsatcommonlaw,wherethevaluein
controversyshallexceedtwentydollars,the
rightoftrialbyjuryshallbepreserved,and
nofacttriedbyajury,shallbeotherwise
reexaminedinanycourtoftheUnited
States,thanaccordingtotherulesofthe
commonlaw.
AmendmentV111Excessivebailshallnotberequired,nor
excessivefinesimposed,norcrueland
unusualpunishmentsinflicted.
Amendment1XTheenumerationintheConstitution,of
certainrights,shallnotbeconstruedto
denyordisparageothersretainedbythe
people.
AmendmentXThepowersnotdelegatedtotheUnited
StatesbytheConstitution,norprohibitedbyittothestates,arereservedtothestates
respectively,ortothepeople.
AmendmentX1PassedbyCongressMarch4,1794.RatifiedFebruary7,1795.
ThejudicialpoweroftheUnitedStates
shallnot
be
construed
to
extend
to
any
suitinlaworequity,commencedor
prosecutedagainstoneoftheUnited
Statesbycitizensofanotherstate,orby
citizensorsubjectsofanyforeignstate.
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TheBillofRightsInstitEducatingYoungPeopleabouttheConsti
AmendmentX11PassedbyCongressDecember9,1803.RatifiedJune15,1804.Theelectorsshallmeetintheir
respectivestatesandvotebyballotfor
PresidentandVicePresident,oneof
whom,atleast,shallnotbean
inhabitantofthesamestatewith
themselves;theyshallnameintheir
ballotsthepersonvotedforas
President,andindistinctballotsthe
personvotedforasVicePresident,andtheyshallmakedistinctlistsofall
personsvotedforasPresident,andof
allpersonsvotedforasVicePresident,
andofthenumberofvotesforeach,
whichliststheyshallsignandcertify,
andtransmitsealedtotheseatofthe
governmentoftheUnitedStates,
directedtothePresidentoftheSenate;
ThePresident
of
the
Senate
shall,
in
the
presenceoftheSenateandHouseof
Representatives,openallthecertificates
andthevotesshallthenbecounted;the
personhavingthegreatestnumberof
votesforPresident,shallbethe
President,ifsuchnumberbeamajority
ofthewholenumberofelectors
appointed;andifnopersonhavesuch
majority,thenfromthepersonshaving
thehighestnumbersnotexceedingthree
onthelistofthosevotedforas
President,theHouseofRepresentatives
shallchooseimmediately,byballot,the
President.ButinchoosingthePresident,
thevotesshallbetakenbystates,the
representationfromeachstatehaving
onevote;aquorumforthispurpose
shallconsistofamemberormembersfromtwothirdsofthestates,anda
majorityofallthestatesshallbe
necessarytoachoice.AndiftheHouse
ofRepresentativesshallnotchoosea
Presidentwhenevertherightofchoice
shalldevolveuponthem,beforethe
fourthdayofMarchnextfollowing,
thentheVicePresidentshallactas
President,
as
in
the
case
of
the
death
or
otherconstitutionaldisabilityofthe
President.Thepersonhavingthe
greatestnumberofvotesasVice
President,shallbetheVicePresident,if
suchnumberbeamajorityofthewhole
numberofelectorsappointed,andifno
personhaveamajority,thenfromthe
twohighestnumbersonthelist,the
SenateshallchoosetheVicePresident;a
quorumforthepurposeshallconsistoftwothirdsofthewholenumberof
Senators,andamajorityofthewhole
numbershallbenecessarytoachoice.
Butnopersonconstitutionallyineligible
totheofficeofPresidentshallbeeligible
tothatofVicePresidentoftheUnited
States.
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TheBillofRightsInstitEducatingYoungPeopleabouttheConsti
AmendmentX111PassedbyCongressJanuary31,1865.RatifiedDecember6,1865.Section1.Neitherslaverynorinvoluntaryservitude,exceptasa
punishmentforcrimewhereoftheparty
shallhavebeendulyconvicted,shall
existwithintheUnitedStates,orany
placesubjecttotheirjurisdiction.
Section2.
Congress
shall
have
power
to
enforcethisarticlebyappropriate
legislation.
AmendmentX1VPassedbyCongressJune13,1866.RatifiedJuly9,1868.
Section1.Allpersonsbornornaturalized
in
the
United
States,
and
subjecttothejurisdictionthereof,are
citizensoftheUnitedStatesandofthe
statewhereintheyreside.Nostateshall
makeorenforceanylawwhichshall
abridgetheprivilegesorimmunitiesof
citizensoftheUnitedStates;norshall
anystatedepriveanypersonoflife,
liberty,orproperty,withoutdueprocess
oflaw;nordenytoanypersonwithinits
jurisdictiontheequalprotectionofthe
laws.
Section2.Representativesshallbeapportionedamongtheseveralstates
accordingtotheirrespectivenumbers,
countingthewholenumberofpersonsineachstate,excludingIndiansnot
taxed.Butwhentherighttovoteatany
electionforthechoiceofelectorsfor
PresidentandVicePresidentofthe
UnitedStates,Representativesin
Congress,theexecutiveandjudicial
officersofastate,orthemembersofthe
legislaturethereof,isdeniedtoanyof
the
male
inhabitants
of
such
state,
being
twentyoneyearsofage,andcitizensof
theUnitedStates,orinanyway
abridged,exceptforparticipationin
rebellion,orothercrime,thebasisof
representationthereinshallbereduced
intheproportionwhichthenumberof
suchmalecitizensshallbeartothe
wholenumberofmalecitizenstwenty
oneyearsofageinsuchstate.
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TheBillofRightsInstitEducatingYoungPeopleabouttheConsti
Section3.NopersonshallbeaSenatororRepresentativeinCongress,orelector
ofPresidentandVicePresident,orhold
anyoffice,civilormilitary,undertheUnitedStates,orunderanystate,who,
havingpreviouslytakenanoath,asa
memberofCongress,orasanofficerof
theUnitedStates,orasamemberofany
statelegislature,orasanexecutiveor
judicialofficerofanystate,tosupport
theConstitutionoftheUnitedStates,
shallhaveengagedininsurrectionor
rebellion
against
the
same,
or
given
aid
orcomforttotheenemiesthereof.But
Congressmaybyavoteoftwothirdsof
eachHouse,removesuchdisability.
Section4.ThevalidityofthepublicdebtoftheUnitedStates,authorizedby
law,includingdebtsincurredfor
paymentofpensionsandbountiesfor
servicesinsuppressinginsurrectionor
rebellion,shallnotbequestioned.ButneithertheUnitedStatesnoranystate
shallassumeorpayanydebtor
obligationincurredinaidof
insurrectionorrebellionagainstthe
UnitedStates,oranyclaimfortheloss
oremancipationofanyslave;butall
suchdebts,obligationsandclaimsshall
beheldillegalandvoid.
Section5.TheCongressshallhavepowertoenforce,byappropriate
legislation,theprovisionsofthisarticle.
AmendmentXVPassedbyCongressFebruary26,1869.Ratified
February
3,
1870.
Section1.TherightofcitizensoftheUnitedStatestovoteshallnotbedenied
orabridgedbytheUnitedStatesorby
anystateonaccountofrace,color,or
previousconditionofservitude.
Section2.TheCongressshallhavepowertoenforcethisarticleby
appropriatelegislation.
AmendmentXV1PassedbyCongressJuly2,1909.RatifiedFebruary3,1913.
TheCongressshallhavepowertolay
andcollecttaxesonincomes,from
whateversourcederived,without
apportionmentamongtheseveralstates,andwithoutregardtoanycensusof
enumeration.
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TheBillofRightsInstitEducatingYoungPeopleabouttheConsti
AmendmentXV11PassedbyCongressMay13,1912.RatifiedApril8,1913.TheSenateoftheUnitedStatesshallbe
composedoftwoSenatorsfromeach
state,electedbythepeoplethereof,for
sixyears;andeachSenatorshallhave
onevote.Theelectorsineachstateshall
havethequalificationsrequisitefor
electorsofthemostnumerousbranchof
thestatelegislatures.
Whenvacancieshappeninthe
representationofanystateintheSenate,
theexecutiveauthorityofsuchstate
shallissuewritsofelectiontofillsuch
vacancies:Provided,thatthelegislature
ofanystatemayempowertheexecutive
thereoftomaketemporary
appointmentsuntilthepeoplefillthe
vacancies
by
election
as
the
legislature
maydirect.
Thisamendmentshallnotbeso
construedastoaffecttheelectionor
termofanySenatorchosenbeforeit
becomesvalidaspartofthe
Constitution.
AmendmentXV111PassedbyCongressDecember18,1917.RatifiedJanuary16,1919.Repealedbythe21stAmendment,December5,1933.
Section1.Afteroneyearfromtheratificationofthisarticlethe
manufacture,sale,ortransportationof
intoxicatingliquorswithin,the
importationthereofinto,orthe
exportationthereoffromtheUnited
Statesandallterritorysubjecttothe
jurisdictionthereof
for
beverage
purposesisherebyprohibited.
Section2.TheCongressandtheseveralstatesshallhaveconcurrentpowerto
enforcethisarticlebyappropriate
legislation.
Section3.Thisarticleshallbeinoperativeunlessitshallhavebeen
ratifiedasanamendmenttotheConstitutionbythelegislaturesofthe
severalstates,asprovidedinthe
Constitution,withinsevenyearsfrom
thedateofthesubmissionhereoftothe
statesbytheCongress.
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TheBillofRightsInstitEducatingYoungPeopleabouttheConsti
AmendmentX1XPassedbyCongressJune4,1919.RatifiedAugust18,1920.TherightofcitizensoftheUnitedStates
tovoteshallnotbedeniedorabridged
bytheUnitedStatesorbyanystateon
accountofsex.
Congressshallhavepowertoenforce
thisarticlebyappropriatelegislation.
AmendmentXXPassedbyCongressMarch2,1932.RatifiedJanuary23,1933.
Section1.ThetermsofthePresidentandVicePresidentshallendatnoonon
the20thdayofJanuary,andtheterms
ofSenatorsandRepresentativesatnoon
onthe3rddayofJanuary,oftheyears
inwhichsuchtermswouldhaveended
ifthisarticlehadnotbeenratified;and
thetermsoftheirsuccessorsshallthen
begin.
Section2.TheCongressshallassembleatleastonceineveryyear,andsuch
meetingshallbeginatnoononthe3d
dayofJanuary,unlesstheyshallbylaw
appointadifferentday.
Section3.If,atthetimefixedforthebeginningofthetermofthePresident,
thePresidentelectshallhavedied,the
VicePresidentelectshallbecomePresident.IfaPresidentshallnothave
beenchosenbeforethetimefixedforthe
beginningofhisterm,orifthePresident
electshallhavefailedtoqualify,then
theVicePresidentelectshallactas
PresidentuntilaPresidentshallhave
qualified;andtheCongressmaybylaw
provideforthecasewhereinneithera
President
elect
nor
a
Vice
President
elect
shallhavequalified,declaringwhoshall
thenactasPresident,orthemannerin
whichonewhoistoactshallbe
selected,andsuchpersonshallact
accordinglyuntilaPresidentorVice
Presidentshallhavequalified.
Section4.TheCongressmaybylawprovideforthecaseofthedeathofany
ofthepersonsfromwhomtheHouseofRepresentativesmaychooseaPresident
whenevertherightofchoiceshallhave
devolveduponthem,andforthecaseof
thedeathofanyofthepersonsfrom
whomtheSenatemaychooseaVice
Presidentwhenevertherightofchoice
shallhavedevolveduponthem.
Section5.Sections1and2shalltakeeffectonthe15thdayofOctober
followingtheratificationofthisarticle.
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TheBillofRightsInstitEducatingYoungPeopleabouttheConsti
Section6.Thisarticleshallbeinoperativeunlessitshallhavebeen
ratifiedasanamendmenttothe
Constitutionbythelegislaturesofthreefourthsoftheseveralstateswithin
sevenyearsfromthedateofits
submission.
AmendmentXX1PassedbyCongressFebruary20,1933.RatifiedDecember5,1933.
Section1.TheeighteentharticleofamendmenttotheConstitutionofthe
UnitedStatesisherebyrepealed.
Section2.Thetransportationorimportationintoanystate,territory,or
possessionoftheUnitedStatesfor
deliveryorusethereinofintoxicating
liquors,inviolationofthelawsthereof,
isherebyprohibited.
Section3.Thisarticleshallbeinoperativeunlessitshallhavebeen
ratifiedasanamendmenttothe
Constitutionbyconventionsinthe
severalstates,asprovidedinthe
Constitution,withinsevenyearsfrom
thedateofthesubmissionhereoftothe
states
by
the
Congress.
AmendmentXX11PassedbyCongressMarch21,1947.RatifiedFebruary27,1951.
Section1.NopersonshallbeelectedtotheofficeofthePresidentmorethan
twice,andnopersonwhohasheldthe
officeofPresident,oractedasPresident,
formorethantwoyearsofatermto
whichsomeotherpersonwaselected
Presidentshallbeelectedtotheofficeof
thePresident
more
than
once.
But
this
articleshallnotapplytoanyperson
holdingtheofficeofPresidentwhenthis
articlewasproposedbytheCongress,
andshallnotpreventanypersonwho
maybeholdingtheofficeofPresident,
oractingasPresident,duringtheterm
withinwhichthisarticlebecomes
operativefromholdingtheofficeof
PresidentoractingasPresidentduring
theremainderofsuchterm.
Section2.Thisarticleshallbeinoperativeunlessitshallhavebeen
ratifiedasanamendmenttothe
Constitutionbythelegislaturesofthree
fourthsoftheseveralstateswithin
sevenyearsfromthedateofits
submissiontothestatesbythe
Congress.
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TheBillofRightsInstitEducatingYoungPeopleabouttheConsti
AmendmentXX111PassedbyCongressJune16,1960.RatifiedMarch29,1961.Section1.TheDistrictconstitutingtheseatofgovernmentoftheUnitedStates
shallappointinsuchmannerasthe
Congressmaydirect:
AnumberofelectorsofPresidentand
VicePresidentequaltothewhole
numberofSenatorsandRepresentatives
inCongresstowhichtheDistrictwouldbeentitledifitwereastate,butinno
eventmorethantheleastpopulous
state;theyshallbeinadditiontothose
appointedbythestates,buttheyshall
beconsidered,forthepurposesofthe
electionofPresidentandVicePresident,
tobeelectorsappointedbyastate;and
theyshallmeetintheDistrictand
perform
such
duties
as
provided
by
the
twelftharticleofamendment.
Section2.TheCongressshallhavepowertoenforcethisarticleby
appropriatelegislation.
AmendmentXX1VPassedbyCongressAugust27,1962.RatifiedJanuary23,1964.
Section1.TherightofcitizensoftheUnitedStatestovoteinanyprimaryor
otherelectionforPresidentorVice
President,forelectorsforPresidentor
VicePresident,orforSenatoror
RepresentativeinCongress,shallnotbe
deniedorabridgedbytheUnitedStates
orany
state
by
reason
of
failure
to
pay
anypolltaxorothertax.
Section2.TheCongressshallhavepowertoenforcethisarticleby
appropriatelegislation.
AmendmentXXVPassedbyCongressJuly6,1965.RatifiedFebruary10,1967.
Section1.IncaseoftheremovalofthePresidentfromofficeorofhisdeathor
resignation,theVicePresidentshall
becomePresident.
Section2.WheneverthereisavacancyintheofficeoftheVicePresident,the
PresidentshallnominateaVice
Presidentwhoshalltakeofficeupon
confirmationbyamajorityvoteofboth
HousesofCongress.
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TheBillofRightsInstitEducatingYoungPeopleabouttheConsti
Section3.WheneverthePresidenttransmitstothePresidentprotempore
oftheSenateandtheSpeakerofthe
HouseofRepresentativeshiswrittendeclarationthatheisunableto
dischargethepowersanddutiesofhis
office,anduntilhetransmitstothema
writtendeclarationtothecontrary,such
powersanddutiesshallbedischarged
bytheVicePresidentasActing
President.
Section4.WhenevertheVicePresidentandamajorityofeithertheprincipal
officersoftheexecutivedepartmentsor
ofsuchotherbodyasCongressmayby
lawprovide,transmittothePresident
protemporeoftheSenateandthe
SpeakeroftheHouseofRepresentatives
theirwrittendeclarationthatthe
Presidentisunabletodischargethe
powersanddutiesofhisoffice,theVice
Presidentshallimmediatelyassumethepowersanddutiesoftheofficeas
ActingPresident.
Thereafter,whenthePresident
transmitstothePresidentprotempore
oftheSenateandtheSpeakerofthe
HouseofRepresentativeshiswrittendeclarationthatnoinabilityexists,he
shallresumethepowersanddutiesof
hisofficeunlesstheVicePresidentanda
majorityofeithertheprincipalofficers
oftheexecutivedepartmentorofsuch
otherbodyasCongressmaybylaw
provide,transmitwithinfourdaysto
thePresidentprotemporeoftheSenate
and
the
Speaker
of
the
House
of
Representativestheirwritten
declarationthatthePresidentisunable
todischargethepowersanddutiesof
hisoffice.ThereuponCongressshall
decidetheissue,assemblingwithin
fortyeighthoursforthatpurposeifnot
insession.IftheCongress,within
twentyonedaysafterreceiptofthe
latterwrittendeclaration,or,ifCongress
isnotinsession,withintwentyonedaysafterCongressisrequiredto
assemble,determinesbytwothirdsvote
ofbothHousesthatthePresidentis
unabletodischargethepowersand
dutiesofhisoffice,theVicePresident
shallcontinuetodischargethesameas
ActingPresident;otherwise,the
Presidentshallresumethepowersand
dutiesof
his
office.
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AmendmentXXV1PassedbyCongressMarch23,1971.RatifiedJuly1,1971.Section1.TherightofcitizensoftheUnitedStates,whoare18yearsofageor
older,tovote,shallnotbedeniedor
abridgedbytheUnitedStatesorany
stateonaccountofage.
Section2.TheCongressshallhavethepowertoenforcethisarticleby
appropriatelegislation.
AmendmentXXV11OriginallyproposedSept.25,1789.RatifiedMay7,1992.
Nolawvaryingthecompensationfor
theservicesoftheSenatorsand
Representativesshalltakeeffectuntilan
electionofRepresentativesshallhaveintervened.