1787 Constitution · Founding Made Plain

1We the People of the United States,

2 in Order to

3 form a more perfect Union,

4 establish Justice,

5 insure domestic Tranquility,

6 provide for the common defence,

7 promote the general Welfare,

8 and secure the Blessings of Liberty

9 to ourselves and our Posterity,

10do ordain and establish

11 this Constitution

12 for the United States of America.

13Article. I.

14Section. 1.

15[Art I sec 1 cl 1]

16All legislative Powers herein granted

17 shall be vested in a Congress

18 of the United States,

19which shall consist of

20 a Senate

21 and

22 House of Representatives.

23Section. 2.

24[Art I sec 2 cl 1]

25The House of Representatives

26 shall be composed of Members

27 chosen every second Year

28 by the People of the several States,

29and

30 the Electors in each State

31 shall have the Qualifications requisite

32 for Electors of the most numerous Branch

33 of the State Legislature.

34[Art I sec 2 cl 2]

35No Person shall be a Representative

36 who shall not have attained

37 to the Age of twenty five Years,

38 and been seven Years a Citizen

39 of the United States,

40 and

41 who shall not, when elected,

42 be an Inhabitant of that State

43 in which he shall be chosen.

44[Art I sec 2 cl 3]

45Representatives

46 and

47 direct Taxes

48 shall be apportioned among the several States

49 which may be included within this Union,

50 according to their respective Numbers,

51 which shall be determined

52 by adding to the whole Number of free Persons,

53 including those bound to Service

54 for a Term of Years,

55 and excluding Indians not taxed,

56 three fifths of all other Persons.

57The actual Enumeration shall be made

58 within three Years after the first Meeting

59 of the Congress of the United States,

60 and within every subsequent Term of ten Years,

61 in such Manner as they shall by Law direct.

62The Number of Representatives shall not exceed

63 one for every thirty Thousand,

64 but each State shall have

65 at Least one Representative;

66and until such enumeration shall be made,

67 the State of New Hampshire

68 shall be entitled to chuse three,

69 Massachusetts eight,

70 Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations one,

71 Connecticut five,

72 New-York six,

73 New Jersey four,

74 Pennsylvania eight,

75 Delaware one,

76 Maryland six,

77 Virginia ten,

78 North Carolina five,

79 South Carolina five,

80 and Georgia three.

81[Art I sec 2 cl 4]

82When vacancies happen

83 in the Representation from any State,

84 the Executive Authority thereof

85 shall issue Writs of Election

86 to fill such Vacancies.

87[Art I sec 2 cl 5]

88The House of Representatives

89 shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers;

90 and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.

91Section. 3.

92[Art I sec 3 cl 1]

93The Senate of the United States

94 shall be composed

95 of two Senators from each State,

96 chosen by the Legislature thereof,

97 for six Years;

98 and each Senator shall have one Vote.

99[Art I sec 3 cl 2]

100Immediately after they shall be assembled

101 in Consequence of the first Election,

102 they shall be divided as equally as may be

103 into three Classes.

104The Seats of the Senators of the first Class

105 shall be vacated at

106 the Expiration of the second Year,

107of the second Class

108 at the Expiration of the fourth Year,

109and of the third Class

110 at the Expiration of the sixth Year,

111so that one third

112 may be chosen every second Year;

113and if Vacancies happen

114 by Resignation, or otherwise, during

115 the Recess of the Legislature of any State,

116 the Executive thereof may make

117 temporary Appointments

118 until the next Meeting of the Legislature,

119 which shall then fill such Vacancies.

120[Art I sec 3 cl 3]

121No Person shall be a Senator

122 who shall not have attained

123 to the Age of thirty Years,

124 and been nine Years

125 a Citizen of the United States,

126and who shall not, when elected,

127 be an Inhabitant of that State

128 for which he shall be chosen.

129[Art I sec 3 cl 4]

130The Vice President of the United States

131 shall be President of the Senate,

132 but shall have no Vote,

133 unless they be equally divided.

134[Art I sec 3 cl 5]

135The Senate shall chuse their other Officers,

136 and also a President pro tempore,

137 in the Absence of the Vice President,

138 or when he shall exercise

139 the Office of President of the United States.

140[Art I sec 3 cl 6]

141The Senate shall have the sole Power

142 to try all Impeachments.

143 When sitting for that Purpose,

144 they shall be on Oath or Affirmation.

145When the President of the United States is tried,

146 the Chief Justice shall preside:

147 And no Person shall be convicted

148 without the Concurrence

149 of two thirds of the Members present.

150[Art I sec 3 cl 7]

151Judgment in Cases of Impeachment

152 shall not extend further than

153 to removal from Office,

154and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office

155 of honor,

156 Trust

157 or

158 Profit

159 under the United States:

160but the Party convicted

161 shall nevertheless be liable and subject to

162 Indictment,

163 Trial,

164 Judgment

165 and

166 Punishment,

167 according to Law.

168Section. 4.

169[Art I sec 4 cl 1]

170The Times, Places and Manner

171 of holding Elections

172 for Senators and Representatives,

173 shall be prescribed in each State

174 by the Legislature thereof;

175but the Congress may at any time

176 by Law make or alter such Regulations,

177 except as to the Places of chusing Senators.

178[Art I sec 4 cl 2]

179The Congress shall assemble

180 at least once in every Year,

181 and such Meeting shall be

182 on the first Monday in December,

183 unless they shall by Law

184 appoint a different Day.

185Section. 5.

186[Art I sec 5 cl 1]

187Each House shall be the Judge of

188 the Elections,

189 Returns

190 and Qualifications

191 of its own Members,

192and a Majority of each

193 shall constitute a Quorum

194 to do Business;

195 but a smaller Number may adjourn from day to day,

196 and may be authorized to compel

197 the Attendance of absent Members,

198 in such Manner, and under such Penalties

199 as each House may provide.

200[Art I sec 5 cl 2]

201Each House may determine

202 the Rules of its Proceedings,

203 punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour,

204 and, with the Concurrence of two thirds,

205 expel a Member.

206[Art I sec 5 cl 3]

207Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings,

208 and from time to time publish the same,

209 excepting such Parts

210 as may in their Judgment require Secrecy;

211 and the Yeas and Nays of the Members

212 of either House on any question

213 shall, at the Desire

214 of one fifth of those Present,

215 be entered on the Journal.

216[Art I sec 5 cl 4]

217Neither House,

218 during the Session of Congress, shall,

219 without the Consent of the other,

220 adjourn for more than three days,

221 nor to any other Place

222 than that in which the two Houses

223 shall be sitting.

224Section. 6.

225[Art I sec 6 cl 1]

226The Senators and Representatives

227 shall receive a Compensation

228 for their Services,

229 to be ascertained by Law,

230 and paid out of the Treasury of the United States.

231 They shall in all Cases, except

232 Treason,

233 Felony

234 and

235 Breach of the Peace,

236 be privileged from Arrest

237 during their Attendance

238 at the Session of their respective Houses,

239 and in going to and returning from the same;

240 and for any Speech or Debate in either House,

241 they shall not be questioned in any other Place.

242[Art I sec 6 cl 2]

243No Senator or Representative shall,

244 during the Time for which he was elected,

245 be appointed to any civil Office

246 under the Authority of the United States,

247 which shall have been created,

248 or the Emoluments whereof

249 shall have been encreased during such time;

250 and no Person holding any Office

251 under the United States,

252 shall be a Member of either House

253 during his Continuance in Office.

254Section. 7.

255[Art I sec 7 cl 1]

256All Bills

257 for raising Revenue

258 shall originate

259 in the House of Representatives;

260 but the Senate

261 may propose or concur

262 with Amendments as on other Bills.

263[Art I sec 7 cl 2]

264Every Bill

265 which shall have passed

266 the House of Representatives

267 and

268 the Senate,

269 shall, before it become a Law,

270 be presented to the President of the United States;

271If he approve

272 he shall sign it,

273but if not

274 he shall return it,

275 with his Objections

276 to that House in which

277 it shall have originated,

278 who shall enter the Objections at large

279 on their Journal,

280 and proceed to reconsider it.

281If after such Reconsideration

282 two thirds of that House

283 shall agree to pass the Bill,

284 it shall be sent,

285 together with the Objections,

286 to the other House, by which

287 it shall likewise be reconsidered,

288 and if approved by two thirds of that House,

289 it shall become a Law.

290But in all such Cases

291 the Votes of both Houses shall be determined

292 by yeas and Nays, and

293 the Names of the Persons

294 voting for and against the Bill

295 shall be entered on the Journal

296 of each House respectively.

297If any Bill shall not be returned by the President

298 within ten Days (Sundays excepted)

299 after it shall have been presented to him,

300 the Same shall be a Law,

301 in like Manner as if he had signed it,

302 unless the Congress by their Adjournment

303 prevent its Return,

304 in which Case it shall not be a Law.

305[Art I sec 7 cl 3]

306Every Order, Resolution, or Vote

307 to which the Concurrence

308 of the Senate and House of Representatives

309 may be necessary

310 (except on a question of Adjournment)

311shall be presented to the

312 President of the United States;

313 and before the Same shall take Effect,

314 shall be approved by him,

315 or being disapproved by him,

316 shall be repassed by two thirds

317 of the Senate and House of Representatives,

318 according to the Rules and Limitations

319 prescribed in the Case of a Bill.

320Section. 8.

321[Art I sec 8 cl 1]

322The Congress shall have Power

323To lay and collect

324 Taxes,

325 Duties,

326 Imposts

327 and Excises,

328to pay the Debts

329and

330provide for the common Defence and general Welfare

331of the United States;

332but all Duties, Imposts and Excises

333shall be uniform

334throughout the United States;

335[Art I sec 8 cl 2]

336To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;

337[Art I sec 8 cl 3]

338To regulate Commerce

339 with foreign Nations,

340 and

341 among the several States,

342 and

343 with the Indian Tribes;

344[Art I sec 8 cl 4]

345To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization,

346 and

347 uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies

348 throughout the United States;

349[Art I sec 8 cl 5]

350To coin Money,

351 regulate the Value thereof,

352 and

353 of foreign Coin,

354 and

355 fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;

356[Art I sec 8 cl 6]

357To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting

358 the Securities

359 and

360 current Coin

361 of the United States;

362[Art I sec 8 cl 7]

363To establish Post Offices

364 and post Roads;

365[Art I sec 8 cl 8]

366To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts,

367 by securing for limited Times

368 to Authors and Inventors

369 the exclusive Right

370 to their respective Writings and Discoveries;

371[Art I sec 8 cl 9]

372To constitute Tribunals

373 inferior to the supreme Court;

374[Art I sec 8 cl 10]

375To define and punish

376 Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas,

377 and Offences against the Law of Nations;

378[Art I sec 8 cl 11]

379To declare War,

380 grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal,

381 and make Rules concerning

382 Captures on Land and Water;

383[Art I sec 8 cl 12]

384To raise and support Armies,

385 but no Appropriation of Money to that Use

386 shall be for a longer Term

387 than two Years;

388[Art I sec 8 cl 13]

389To provide and maintain a Navy;

390[Art I sec 8 cl 14]

391To make Rules

392 for the Government and Regulation

393 of the land and naval Forces;

394[Art I sec 8 cl 15]

395To provide for calling forth the Militia

396 to execute the Laws of the Union,

397 suppress Insurrections

398 and

399 repel Invasions;

400[Art I sec 8 cl 16]

401To provide for

402 organizing,

403 arming,

404 and disciplining,

405 the Militia,

406 and for governing such Part of them

407 as may be employed in the Service

408 of the United States,

409 reserving to the States respectively,

410 the Appointment of the Officers,

411 and the Authority of training the Militia

412 according to the discipline

413 prescribed by Congress;

414[Art I sec 8 cl 17]

415To exercise exclusive Legislation

416 in all Cases whatsoever,

417 over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square)

418 as may, by Cession of particular States,

419 and the Acceptance of Congress,

420 become the Seat of the Government

421 of the United States,

422 and to exercise like Authority

423 over all Places purchased

424 by the Consent of the Legislature

425 of the State in which the Same shall be,

426 for the Erection of

427 Forts,

428 Magazines,

429 Arsenals,

430 dock-Yards,

431 and other needful Buildings;—And

432[Art I sec 8 cl 18]

433To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper

434 for carrying into Execution

435 the foregoing Powers,

436 and all other Powers

437 vested by this Constitution

438 in the Government of the United States,

439 or in any Department or Officer thereof.

440Section. 9.

441[Art I sec 9 cl 1]

442The Migration or Importation of such Persons

443 as any of the States now existing

444 shall think proper to admit,

445 shall not be prohibited by the Congress

446 prior to the Year one thousand eight hundred and eight,

447 but a Tax or duty

448 may be imposed on such Importation,

449 not exceeding ten dollars for each Person.

450[Art I sec 9 cl 2]

451The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus

452 shall not be suspended,

453 unless when in Cases of

454 Rebellion

455 or

456 Invasion

457 the public Safety may require it.

458[Art I sec 9 cl 3]

459No Bill of Attainder

460 or ex post facto Law

461 shall be passed.

462[Art I sec 9 cl 4]

463No Capitation, or other direct, Tax

464 shall be laid,

465 unless in Proportion to the Census or enumeration

466 herein before directed to be taken.

467[Art I sec 9 cl 5]

468No Tax or Duty

469 shall be laid on Articles

470 exported from any State.

471[Art I sec 9 cl 6]

472No Preference shall be given

473 by any Regulation of Commerce or Revenue

474 to the Ports of one State over those of another:

475 nor shall Vessels bound to, or from,

476 one State,

477 be obliged to enter, clear, or pay Duties

478 in another.

479[Art I sec 9 cl 7]

480No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury,

481 but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law;

482 and a regular Statement and Account

483 of the Receipts and Expenditures

484 of all public Money

485 shall be published from time to time.

486[Art I sec 9 cl 8]

487No Title of Nobility

488 shall be granted by the United States:

489 And

490 no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them,

491 shall, without the Consent of the Congress,

492 accept of any present,

493 Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever,

494 from any King, Prince, or foreign State.

495Section. 10.

496[Art I sec 10 cl 1]

497No State

498 shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation;

499 grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal;

500 coin Money;

501 emit Bills of Credit;

502 make any Thing but gold and silver Coin

503 a Tender in Payment of Debts;

504 pass any Bill of Attainder,

505 ex post facto Law,

506 or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts,

507 or grant any Title of Nobility.

508[Art I sec 10 cl 2]

509No State

510 shall, without the Consent of the Congress,

511 lay any Imposts or Duties

512 on Imports or Exports,

513 except what may be absolutely necessary

514 for executing it's inspection Laws:

515 and the net Produce of all Duties and Imposts,

516 laid by any State on Imports or Exports,

517 shall be for the Use of the

518 Treasury of the United States;

519 and all such Laws shall be subject to

520 the Revision and Controul of the Congress.

521[Art I sec 10 cl 3]

522No State

523 shall, without the Consent of Congress,

524 lay any Duty of Tonnage,

525 keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace,

526 enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State,

527 or with a foreign Power,

528 or engage in War, unless actually invaded,

529 or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.

530Article. II.

531Section. 1.

532[Art II sec 1 cl 1]

533The executive Power

534 shall be vested in a President

535 of the United States of America.

536 He shall hold his Office

537 during the Term of four Years,

538 and, together with the Vice President,

539 chosen for the same Term,

540 be elected, as follows

541[Art II sec 1 cl 2]

542Each State

543 shall appoint, in such Manner

544 as the Legislature thereof may direct,

545 a Number of Electors,

546 equal to the whole Number

547 of Senators and Representatives

548 to which the State may be entitled in the Congress:

549 but no Senator or Representative,

550 or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit

551 under the United States,

552 shall be appointed an Elector.

553[Art II sec 1 cl 3]

554The Electors

555 shall meet in their respective States,

556 and vote by Ballot for two Persons,

557 of whom one at least shall not be an Inhabitant

558 of the same State with themselves.

559 And they shall make a List

560 of all the Persons voted for,

561 and of the Number of Votes for each;

562 which List they shall sign and certify,

563 and transmit sealed

564 to the Seat of the Government of the United States,

565 directed to the President of the Senate.

566 The President of the Senate shall,

567 in the Presence of the Senate and House of Representatives,

568 open all the Certificates,

569 and the Votes shall then be counted.

570 The Person having the greatest Number of Votes

571 shall be the President,

572 if such Number be a Majority

573 of the whole Number of Electors appointed;

574 and if there be more than one

575 who have such Majority,

576 and have an equal Number of Votes,

577 then the House of Representatives

578 shall immediately chuse by Ballot

579 one of them for President;

580 and if no Person have a Majority,

581 then from the five highest

582 on the List the said House

583 shall in like Manner chuse the President.

584 But in chusing the President,

585 the Votes shall be taken by States,

586 the Representation from each State having one Vote;

587 A quorum for this Purpose

588 shall consist of a Member or Members

589 from two thirds of the States,

590 and a Majority of all the States

591 shall be necessary to a Choice.

592 In every Case,

593 after the Choice of the President,

594 the Person having the greatest Number

595 of Votes of the Electors

596 shall be the Vice President.

597 But if there should remain two or more

598 who have equal Votes,

599 the Senate shall chuse from them

600 by Ballot the Vice President.

601[Art II sec 1 cl 4]

602The Congress

603 may determine the Time of chusing the Electors,

604 and the Day on which they shall give their Votes;

605 which Day shall be the same

606 throughout the United States.

607[Art II sec 1 cl 5]

608No Person

609 except a natural born Citizen,

610 or a Citizen of the United States,

611 at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution,

612 shall be eligible to the Office of President;

613 neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office

614 who shall not have attained

615 to the Age of thirty five Years,

616 and been fourteen Years a Resident

617 within the United States.

618[Art II sec 1 cl 6]

619In Case

620 of the Removal of the President from Office,

621 or of his Death, Resignation, or Inability

622 to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office,

623 the Same shall devolve on the Vice President,

624 and the Congress may by Law provide for the

625 Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability,

626 both of the President and Vice President,

627 declaring what Officer shall then act as President,

628 and such Officer shall act accordingly,

629 until the Disability be removed,

630 or a President shall be elected.

631[Art II sec 1 cl 7]

632The President

633 shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services,

634 a Compensation,

635 which shall neither be encreased nor diminished

636 during the Period for which he shall have been elected,

637 and he shall not receive within that Period

638 any other Emolument

639 from the United States, or any of them.

640[Art II sec 1 cl 8]

641Before he enter on the Execution of his Office,

642 he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:—

643 "I do solemnly swear (or affirm)

644 that I will faithfully execute

645 the Office of President of the United States,

646 and

647 will to the best of my Ability,

648 preserve,

649 protect

650 and defend

651 the Constitution of the United States."

652Section. 2.

653[Art II sec 2 cl 1]

654The President shall be Commander in Chief

655 of the Army and Navy of the United States,

656 and of the Militia of the several States,

657 when called into the actual Service

658 of the United States;

659 he may require the Opinion, in writing,

660 of the principal Officer

661 in each of the executive Departments,

662 upon any Subject relating to the Duties

663 of their respective Offices,

664 and

665 he shall have Power

666 to grant Reprieves and Pardons

667 for Offences against the United States,

668 except in Cases of Impeachment.

669[Art II sec 2 cl 2]

670He shall have Power,

671 by and with

672 the Advice and Consent

673 of the Senate,

674 to make Treaties,

675 provided two thirds

676 of the Senators present concur;

677 and

678 He shall nominate,

679 and

680 by and with

681 the Advice and Consent

682 of the Senate,

683 shall appoint

684 Ambassadors,

685 other public Ministers

686 and Consuls,

687 Judges of the supreme Court,

688 and all other Officers of the United States,

689 whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for,

690 and which shall be established by Law:

691 but the Congress may by Law vest

692 the Appointment of such inferior Officers,

693 as they think proper,

694 in the President alone,

695 in the Courts of Law,

696 or in the Heads of Departments.

697[Art II sec 2 cl 3]

698The President

699 shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen

700 during the Recess of the Senate,

701 by granting Commissions

702 which shall expire

703 at the End of their next Session.

704Section. 3.

705[Art II sec 3 cl 1]

706He shall from time to time

707 give to the Congress

708 Information of the State of the Union,

709

710 and recommend to their Consideration

711 such Measures

712 as he shall judge necessary and expedient;

713 he may, on extraordinary Occasions,

714 convene both Houses, or either of them,

715 and in Case of Disagreement between them,

716 with Respect to the Time of Adjournment,

717 he may adjourn them

718 to such Time as he shall think proper;

719 he shall receive Ambassadors

720 and other public Ministers;

721 he shall take Care that

722 the Laws be faithfully executed,

723 and shall Commission

724 all the Officers of the United States.

725Section. 4.

726[Art II sec 4 cl 1]

727The President, Vice President

728 and all civil Officers of the United States,

729 shall be removed from Office

730 on Impeachment for,

731 and

732 Conviction of,

733 Treason,

734 Bribery,

735 or

736 other high Crimes

737 and

738 Misdemeanors.

739Article. III.

740Section. 1.

741[Art III sec 1 cl 1]

742The judicial Power of the United States,

743 shall be vested in one supreme Court,

744 and in such inferior Courts

745 as the Congress may from time to time

746 ordain and establish.

747 The Judges,

748 both of the supreme and inferior Courts,

749 shall hold their Offices

750 during good Behaviour,

751 and shall, at stated Times,

752 receive for their Services,

753 a Compensation,

754 which shall not be diminished

755 during their Continuance in Office.

756Section. 2.

757[Art III sec 2 cl 1]

758The judicial Power

759 shall extend to all Cases,

760 in Law and Equity,

761 arising under this Constitution,

762 the Laws of the United States,

763 and Treaties made, or which shall be made,

764 under their Authority;—

765 to all Cases affecting Ambassadors,

766 other public Ministers and Consuls;—

767 to all Cases of admiralty

768 and maritime Jurisdiction;—

769 to Controversies to which

770 the United States shall be a Party;—

771 to Controversies between two or more States;—

772 between a State and Citizens of another State;—

773 between Citizens of different States;—

774 between Citizens of the same State

775 claiming Lands under Grants of different States,

776 and between a State, or the Citizens thereof,

777 and foreign States, Citizens or Subjects.

778 [Amendment XI]

779[Art III sec 2 cl 2]

780In all Cases affecting

781 Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls,

782 and those in which a State shall be Party,

783 the supreme Court shall have original Jurisdiction.

784 In all the other Cases before mentioned,

785 the supreme Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction,

786 both as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions,

787 and under such Regulations as the Congress shall make.

788[Art III sec 2 cl 3]

789The Trial of all Crimes,

790 except in Cases of Impeachment,

791 shall be by Jury;

792 and such Trial shall be held

793 in the State

794 where the said Crimes shall have been committed;

795 but when not committed within any State,

796 the Trial shall be at such Place or Places

797 as the Congress may by Law have directed.

798Section. 3.

799[Art III sec 3 cl 1]

800Treason

801 against the United States, shall consist

802 only

803 in levying War against them,

804 or

805 in adhering to their Enemies, giving them

806 Aid

807 and

808 Comfort.

809No Person shall be convicted of Treason

810 unless on the Testimony of

811 two Witnesses to the same

812 overt Act,

813 or

814 on Confession in open Court.

815[Art III sec 3 cl 2]

816The Congress

817 shall have Power to declare

818 the Punishment of Treason,

819 but no Attainder of Treason

820 shall work Corruption of Blood,

821 or Forfeiture except during

822 the Life of the Person attainted.

823Article. IV.

824Section. 1.

825[Art IV sec 1 cl 1]

826Full Faith and Credit

827 shall be given in each State to

828 the public Acts,

829 Records,

830 and judicial Proceedings

831 of every other State.

832And the Congress may by general Laws

833 prescribe the Manner in which such

834 Acts,

835 Records

836 and Proceedings

837 shall be proved,

838 and the Effect thereof.

839Section. 2.

840[Art IV sec 2 cl 1]

841The Citizens of each State

842 shall be entitled

843 to all Privileges and Immunities

844 of Citizens in the several States.

845[Art IV sec 2 cl 2]

846A Person charged in any State

847 with Treason,

848 Felony,

849 or other Crime,

850 who shall flee from Justice, and be found in another State,

851 shall on Demand of the executive Authority

852 of the State from which he fled,

853 be delivered up, to be removed

854 to the State having Jurisdiction of the Crime.

855[Art IV sec 2 cl 3]

856No Person held to Service or Labour

857 in one State, under the Laws thereof,

858 escaping into another,

859 shall,

860 in Consequence of any Law or Regulation therein,

861 be discharged from such Service or Labour,

862 but shall be delivered up on Claim of the Party

863 to whom such Service or Labour may be due.

864Section. 3.

865[Art IV sec 3 cl 1]

866New States

867 may be admitted by the Congress into this Union;

868 but no new State shall be formed or erected

869 within the Jurisdiction of any other State;

870 nor any State be formed by the

871 Junction of two or more States, or Parts of States,

872 without the Consent of the Legislatures

873 of the States concerned

874 as well as of the Congress.

875[Art IV sec 3 cl 2]

876The Congress shall have Power

877 to dispose of and make

878 all needful Rules and Regulations

879 respecting the Territory or other Property

880 belonging to the United States;

881 and nothing in this Constitution

882 shall be so construed as to Prejudice

883 any Claims of the United States,

884 or of any particular State.

885Section. 4.

886[Art IV sec 4 cl 1]

887The United States

888 shall guarantee to every State in this Union

889 a Republican Form of Government,

890 and

891 shall protect each of them

892 against Invasion;

893 and

894 on Application of the Legislature,

895 or

896 of the Executive

897 (when the Legislature cannot be convened)

898 against domestic Violence.

899Article. V.

900[Art V sec 1 cl 1]

901The Congress,

902 whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary,

903 shall propose Amendments to this Constitution,

904 or,

905 on the Application of the Legislatures

906 of two thirds of the several States,

907 shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments,

908 which, in either Case, shall be valid

909 to all Intents and Purposes,

910 as Part of this Constitution,

911 when ratified

912 by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States,

913 or

914 by Conventions in three fourths thereof,

915 as the one or the other Mode of Ratification

916 may be proposed by the Congress;

917 Provided that no Amendment which may be made

918 prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight

919 shall in any Manner affect

920 the first and fourth Clauses

921 in the Ninth Section of the first Article;

922 and that no State, without its Consent,

923 shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.

924Article. VI.

925Section. 1.

926[Art VI sec 1 cl 1]

927All Debts

928 contracted and Engagements entered into,

929 before the Adoption of this Constitution,

930 shall be as valid

931 against the United States

932 under this Constitution,

933 as under the Confederation.

934[Art VI sec 1 cl 2]

935This Constitution,

936 and the Laws of the United States

937 which shall be made in Pursuance thereof;

938 and all Treaties made, or which shall be made,

939 under the Authority of the United States,

940 shall be the supreme Law of the Land;

941 and the Judges in every State

942 shall be bound thereby,

943 any Thing in the Constitution

944 or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.

945[Art VI sec 1 cl 3]

946The Senators and Representatives

947 before mentioned,

948 and the Members of the several State Legislatures,

949 and all executive and judicial Officers,

950 both of the United States and of the several States,

951 shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation,

952 to support this Constitution;

953 but no religious Test

954 shall ever be required

955 as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust

956 under the United States.

957Article. VII.

958[Art VII sec 1 cl 1]

959The Ratification of the Conventions

960 of nine States,

961 shall be sufficient

962 for the Establishment

963 of this Constitution between the States

964 so ratifying the Same.

965[Note of Interlineations and Erasure]

966The Word, "the,"

967 being interlined

968 between the seventh and eighth Lines

969 of the first Page,

970The Word "Thirty"

971 being partly written on an Erazure

972 in the fifteenth Line

973 of the first Page,

974The Words "is tried"

975 being interlined

976 between the thirty second and thirty third Lines

977 of the first Page

978and

979 the Word "the"

980 being interlined

981 between the forty third and forty fourth Lines

982 of the second Page.

983Attest

984 William Jackson

985 Secretary

986[Attestation]

987done in Convention

988 by the Unanimous Consent

989 of the States present

990 the Seventeenth Day of September

991 in the Year of our Lord

992 one thousand seven hundred and Eighty seven

993 and

994 of the Independance

995 of the United States of America

996 the Twelfth

997In witness whereof

998 We have hereunto subscribed our Names,

999G°. Washington

1000 Presidt

1001 and deputy from Virginia

1002Delaware

1003 Geo: Read

1004 Gunning Bedford jun

1005 John Dickinson

1006 Richard Bassett

1007 Jaco: Broom

1008Maryland

1009 James McHenry

1010 Dan of St Thos. Jenifer

1011 Danl. Carroll

1012Virginia

1013 John Blair

1014 James Madison Jr.

1015North Carolina

1016 Wm. Blount

1017 Richd. Dobbs Spaight

1018 Hu Williamson

1019South Carolina

1020 J. Rutledge

1021 Charles Cotesworth Pinckney

1022 Charles Pinckney

1023 Pierce Butler

1024Georgia

1025 William Few

1026 Abr Baldwin

1027New Hampshire

1028 John Langdon

1029 Nicholas Gilman

1030Massachusetts

1031 Nathaniel Gorham

1032 Rufus King

1033Connecticut

1034 Wm. Saml. Johnson

1035 Roger Sherman

1036New York

1037 Alexander Hamilton

1038New Jersey

1039 Wil: Livingston

1040 David Brearley

1041 Wm. Paterson

1042 Jona: Dayton

1043Pennsylvania

1044 B Franklin

1045 Thomas Mifflin

1046 Robt. Morris

1047 Geo. Clymer

1048 Thos. FitzSimons

1049 Jared Ingersoll

1050 James Wilson

1051 Gouv Morris

1052[BILL OF RIGHTS: Amendments I - X]

1053Amendment I

1054Congress shall make no law

1055 respecting an establishment of religion,

1056 or

1057 prohibiting the free exercise thereof;

1058 or

1059 abridging

1060 the freedom

1061 of speech,

1062 or

1063 of the press;

1064 or

1065 the right of the people

1066 peaceably to assemble,

1067 and

1068 to petition the Government

1069 for a redress of grievances.

1070Amendment II

1071A well regulated Militia,

1072 being necessary

1073 to the security

1074 of a free State,

1075 the right of the people

1076 to keep and bear Arms,

1077 shall not be infringed.

1078Amendment III

1079No Soldier shall,

1080 in time of peace

1081 be quartered in any house,

1082 without the consent of the Owner,

1083 nor in time of war,

1084 but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

1085Amendment IV

1086The right of the people

1087 to be secure in their

1088 persons,

1089 houses,

1090 papers,

1091 and effects,

1092 against unreasonable

1093 searches

1094 and

1095 seizures,

1096 shall not be violated,

1097and no Warrants shall issue,

1098 but upon probable cause,

1099 supported by Oath or affirmation,

1100 and particularly describing

1101 the place to be searched,

1102 and

1103 the persons or things to be seized.

1104Amendment V

1105No person shall be held to answer

1106 for a capital,

1107 or

1108 otherwise infamous crime,

1109 unless on a presentment

1110 or

1111 indictment of a Grand Jury,

1112 except in cases arising in

1113 the land

1114 or

1115 naval forces,

1116 or

1117 in the Militia, when in actual service

1118 in time of War

1119 or

1120 public danger;

1121nor shall any person be subject

1122 for the same offence

1123 to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb;

1124 nor shall be compelled in any criminal case

1125 to be a witness against himself,

1126 nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property,

1127 without due process of law;

1128 nor shall private property be taken

1129 for public use, without just compensation.

1130Amendment VI

1131In all criminal prosecutions,

1132 the accused shall enjoy the right

1133 to a speedy and public trial,

1134 by an impartial jury

1135 of the State and district

1136 wherein the crime shall have been committed,

1137 which district shall have been

1138 previously ascertained by law,

1139 and to be informed of the nature

1140 and cause of the accusation;

1141 to be confronted with the witnesses against him;

1142 to have compulsory process

1143 for obtaining witnesses in his favor,

1144 and to have the Assistance of Counsel

1145 for his defence.

1146Amendment VII

1147In suits at common law,

1148 where the value in controversy

1149 shall exceed twenty dollars,

1150 the right of trial by jury shall be preserved,

1151 and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined

1152 in any Court of the United States,

1153 than according to the rules of the common law.

1154Amendment VIII

1155Excessive bail

1156 shall not be required,

1157 nor excessive fines imposed,

1158 nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

1159Amendment IX

1160The enumeration in the Constitution,

1161 of certain rights, shall not be construed

1162 to deny or disparage others

1163 retained by the people.

1164Amendment X

1165The powers not delegated

1166 to the United States

1167 by the Constitution,

1168 nor prohibited by it to the States,

1169 are reserved to the States respectively,

1170 or to the people.

1171[Amendments XI - XXVII]

1172Amendment XI

1173Passed by Congress March 4, 1794.

1174Ratified February 7, 1795.

1175Note: Article III, section 2, of the Constitution

1176 was modified by amendment 11.

1177The Judicial power

1178 of the United States

1179 shall not be construed to extend

1180 to any suit in law or equity,

1181 commenced or prosecuted

1182 against one of the United States

1183 by Citizens of another State,

1184 or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State.

1185Amendment XII

1186Passed by Congress December 9, 1803.

1187Ratified June 15, 1804.

1188Note: A portion of Article II, section 1 of the Constitution

1189 was superseded by the 12th amendment.

1190 The Electors shall meet in their respective states

1191 and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President,

1192 one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant

1193 of the same state with themselves;

1194 they shall name in their ballots

1195 the person voted for as President,

1196 and in distinct ballots

1197 the person voted for as Vice-President,

1198 and they shall make distinct lists

1199 of all persons voted for as President,

1200 and of all persons voted for as Vice-President,

1201 and of the number of votes for each,

1202 which lists they shall sign and certify,

1203 and transmit sealed to the seat

1204 of the government of the United States,

1205 directed to the President of the Senate; --

1206 the President of the Senate

1207 shall, in the presence of

1208 the Senate and House of Representatives,

1209 open all the certificates

1210 and the votes shall then be counted; --

1211 The person having the greatest number

1212 of votes for President,

1213 shall be the President,

1214 if such number be a majority

1215 of the whole number of Electors appointed;

1216 and if no person have such majority,

1217 then from the persons having the highest numbers

1218 not exceeding three on the list

1219 of those voted for as President,

1220 the House of Representatives

1221 shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President.

1222 But in choosing the President,

1223 the votes shall be taken by states,

1224 the representation from each state having one vote;

1225 a quorum for this purpose

1226 shall consist of a member or members

1227 from two-thirds of the states,

1228 and a majority of all the states

1229 shall be necessary to a choice.

1230 [And if the House of

1231 Representatives shall not choose a President

1232 whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them,

1233 before the fourth day of March next following,

1234 then the Vice-President shall act as President,

1235 as in the case of the death

1236 or other constitutional disability of the President. --]*

1237The person having the greatest number of votes

1238 as Vice-President, shall be the Vice-President,

1239 if such number be a majority

1240 of the whole number of Electors appointed,

1241 and if no person have a majority,

1242 then from the two highest numbers on the list,

1243 the Senate shall choose the Vice-President;

1244 a quorum for the purpose shall consist

1245 of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators,

1246 and a majority of the whole number

1247 shall be necessary to a choice.

1248 But no person constitutionally ineligible

1249 to the office of President shall be eligible

1250 to that of Vice-President of the United States.

1251*Superseded by section 3 of the 20th amendment.

1252Amendment XIII

1253Passed by Congress January 31, 1865.

1254Ratified December 6, 1865.

1255Note: A portion of Article IV, section 2,

1256of the Constitution was superseded by the 13th amendment.

1257Section 1.

1258Neither slavery

1259 nor involuntary servitude,

1260 except as a punishment for crime

1261 whereof the party shall have been duly convicted,

1262 shall exist within the United States,

1263 or any place subject to their jurisdiction.

1264Section 2.

1265Congress

1266 shall have power to enforce this article

1267 by appropriate legislation.

1268Amendment XIV

1269Passed by Congress June 13, 1866.

1270Ratified July 9, 1868.

1271Note: Article I, section 2,

1272of the Constitution was modified by

1273section 2 of the 14th amendment.

1274Section 1.

1275All persons

1276 born

1277 or

1278 naturalized

1279 in the United States,

1280 and

1281 subject to the jurisdiction thereof,

1282are citizens of the United States

1283 and of the State wherein they reside.

1284No State

1285 shall make

1286 or

1287 enforce any law

1288 which shall abridge

1289 the privileges

1290 or

1291 immunities

1292 of citizens of the United States;

1293nor shall any State

1294 deprive any person

1295 of life,

1296 liberty,

1297 or

1298 property,

1299 without due process of law;

1300 nor deny to any person

1301 within its jurisdiction

1302 the equal protection of the laws.

1303Section 2.

1304Representatives

1305 shall be apportioned

1306 among the several States

1307 according to their respective numbers,

1308 counting the whole number of persons

1309 in each State, excluding Indians not taxed.

1310But when the right to vote

1311 at any election for the choice of electors

1312 for President and Vice-President of the United States,

1313 Representatives in Congress,

1314 the Executive and Judicial officers of a State,

1315 or the members of the Legislature thereof,

1316 is denied to any

1317 of the male inhabitants of such State,

1318 being twenty-one years of age,*

1319 and citizens of the United States,

1320 or in any way abridged,

1321 except for participation in rebellion,

1322 or other crime,

1323 the basis of representation therein

1324 shall be reduced

1325 in the proportion

1326 which the number of such male citizens

1327 shall bear to the whole number

1328 of male citizens twenty-one years of age

1329 in such State.

1330Section 3.

1331No person shall be

1332 a Senator or Representative in Congress,

1333 or elector of President and Vice-President,

1334 or hold any office, civil or military,

1335 under the United States,

1336 or under any State,

1337who, having previously taken an oath,

1338 as a member of Congress,

1339 or as an officer of the United States,

1340 or as a member of any State legislature,

1341 or as an executive

1342 or judicial officer of any State,

1343 to support the Constitution of the United States,

1344shall have engaged

1345 in insurrection or rebellion against the same,

1346 or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.

1347But Congress may by a vote

1348 of two-thirds of each House,

1349 remove such disability.

1350Section 4.

1351The validity of the public debt

1352 of the United States,

1353 authorized by law,

1354 including debts incurred for payment

1355 of pensions and bounties for services

1356 in suppressing insurrection or rebellion,

1357 shall not be questioned.

1358 But neither the United States nor any State

1359 shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred

1360 in aid of insurrection or

1361 rebellion against the United States,

1362 or any claim for the loss

1363 or emancipation of any slave;

1364 but all such debts, obligations and claims

1365 shall be held illegal and void.

1366Section 5.

1367The Congress shall have power

1368 to enforce, by appropriate legislation,

1369 the provisions of this article.

1370*Changed by section 1 of the 26th amendment.

1371Amendment XV

1372Passed by Congress February 26, 1869.

1373Ratified February 3, 1870.

1374Section 1.

1375The right of citizens of the United States to vote

1376 shall not be denied or abridged

1377 by the United States or by any State on account

1378 of race,

1379 color,

1380 or previous condition of servitude--

1381Section 2.

1382The Congress shall have power

1383 to enforce this article

1384 by appropriate legislation.

1385Amendment XVI

1386Passed by Congress July 2, 1909.

1387Ratified February 3, 1913.

1388Note: Article I, section 9,

1389 of the Constitution was modified by amendment 16.

1390The Congress shall have power

1391 to lay and collect taxes on incomes,

1392 from whatever source derived,

1393 without apportionment among the several States,

1394 and without regard to any census or enumeration.

1395Amendment XVII

1396Passed by Congress May 13, 1912.

1397Ratified April 8, 1913.

1398Note: Article I, section 3,

1399 of the Constitution was modified by the 17th amendment.

1400The Senate of the United States

1401 shall be composed of two Senators from each State,

1402 elected by the people thereof,

1403 for six years;

1404 and each Senator shall have one vote.

1405 The electors in each State

1406 shall have the qualifications

1407 requisite for electors

1408 of the most numerous branch

1409 of the State legislatures.

1410When vacancies happen in the representation

1411 of any State in the Senate,

1412 the executive authority of such State

1413 shall issue writs of election

1414 to fill such vacancies:

1415 Provided, That the legislature of any State

1416 may empower the executive thereof

1417 to make temporary appointments

1418 until the people fill the vacancies

1419 by election as the legislature may direct.

1420This amendment

1421 shall not be so construed

1422 as to affect the election

1423 or term of any Senator

1424 chosen before it becomes valid

1425 as part of the Constitution.

1426Amendment XVIII

1427Passed by Congress December 18, 1917.

1428Ratified January 16, 1919. Repealed by amendment 21.

1429Section 1.

1430After one year from the ratification of this article

1431 the manufacture, sale, or transportation

1432 of intoxicating liquors within,

1433 the importation thereof into,

1434 or the exportation thereof from

1435 the United States and all territory

1436 subject to the jurisdiction thereof

1437 for beverage purposes

1438 is hereby prohibited.

1439Section 2.

1440The Congress and the several States

1441 shall have concurrent power

1442 to enforce this article

1443 by appropriate legislation.

1444Section 3.

1445This article shall be inoperative

1446 unless it shall have been ratified

1447 as an amendment to the Constitution

1448 by the legislatures of the several States,

1449 as provided in the Constitution,

1450 within seven years

1451 from the date of the submission

1452 hereof to the States by the Congress.

1453Amendment XIX

1454Passed by Congress June 4, 1919.

1455Ratified August 18, 1920.

1456The right of citizens of the United States

1457 to vote

1458 shall not be denied or abridged

1459 by the United States or by any State

1460 on account of sex.

1461Congress shall have power

1462 to enforce this article

1463 by appropriate legislation.

1464Amendment XX

1465Passed by Congress March 2, 1932.

1466Ratified January 23, 1933.

1467Note: Article I, section 4, of the Constitution

1468 was modified

1469 by section 2 of this amendment.

1470In addition,

1471 a portion of the 12th amendment

1472 was superseded

1473 by section 3.

1474Section 1.

1475The terms of the President and Vice President

1476 shall end at noon on the 20th day of January,

1477 and the terms of Senators and Representatives

1478 at noon on the 3d day of January,

1479 of the years in which such terms

1480 would have ended

1481 if this article had not been ratified;

1482 and the terms of their successors

1483 shall then begin.

1484Section 2.

1485The Congress

1486 shall assemble at least once in every year,

1487 and such meeting shall begin

1488 at noon on the 3d day of January,

1489 unless they shall by law

1490 appoint a different day.

1491Section 3.

1492If, at the time fixed for the beginning

1493 of the term of the President,

1494 the President elect

1495 shall have died,

1496 the Vice President elect

1497 shall become President.

1498 If a President

1499 shall not have been chosen

1500 before the time fixed

1501 for the beginning of his term,

1502 or if the President elect

1503 shall have failed to qualify,

1504 then the Vice President elect

1505 shall act as President

1506 until a President shall have qualified;

1507 and the Congress may by law

1508 provide for the case

1509 wherein neither a President elect

1510 nor a Vice President elect

1511 shall have qualified,

1512 declaring who shall then act as President,

1513 or the manner in which one who is to act

1514 shall be selected,

1515 and such person shall act accordingly

1516 until a President or Vice President

1517 shall have qualified.

1518Section 4.

1519The Congress

1520 may by law provide

1521 for the case of the

1522 death

1523 of any of the persons from whom

1524 the House of Representatives

1525 may choose a President

1526 whenever the right of choice

1527 shall have devolved upon them,

1528 and for the case of the death

1529 of any of the persons

1530 from whom the Senate

1531 may choose a Vice President

1532 whenever the right of choice

1533 shall have devolved upon them.

1534Section 5.

1535Sections 1 and 2

1536 shall take effect on the 15th day of October

1537 following the ratification of this article.

1538Section 6.

1539This article

1540 shall be inoperative

1541 unless it shall have been ratified

1542 as an amendment to the Constitution

1543 by the legislatures of three-fourths

1544 of the several States

1545 within seven years from the

1546 date of its submission.

1547Amendment XXI

1548Passed by Congress February 20, 1933.

1549Ratified December 5, 1933.

1550Section 1.

1551The eighteenth article of amendment

1552 to the Constitution of the United States

1553 is hereby repealed.

1554Section 2.

1555The transportation or importation

1556 into any State, Territory,

1557 or possession of the United States

1558 for delivery or use therein

1559 of intoxicating liquors,

1560 in violation of the laws thereof,

1561 is hereby prohibited.

1562Section 3.

1563This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been

1564ratified as an amendment to the Constitution

1565 by conventions in the several States,

1566 as provided in the Constitution,

1567 within seven years from the date

1568 of the submission hereof to the States

1569 by the Congress.

1570Amendment XXII

1571Passed by Congress March 21, 1947.

1572Ratified February 27, 1951.

1573Section 1.

1574No person

1575 shall be elected to the office of the President

1576 more than twice,

1577 and no person who has held the office of President,

1578 or acted as President, for more than two years

1579 of a term to which some other person was elected President

1580 shall be elected to the office of the President

1581 more than once.

1582 But this Article shall not apply to any person

1583 holding the office of President

1584 when this Article was proposed by the Congress,

1585 and shall not prevent any person

1586 who may be holding the office of President,

1587 or acting as President, during the term

1588 within which this Article becomes operative

1589 from holding the office of President

1590 or acting as President during the remainder of such term.

1591Section 2.

1592This article

1593 shall be inoperative

1594 unless it shall have been ratified

1595 as an amendment to the Constitution

1596 by the legislatures

1597 of three-fourths of the several States

1598 within seven years from the date of its submission

1599 to the States by the Congress.

1600Amendment XXIII

1601Passed by Congress June 16, 1960. Ratified March 29, 1961.

1602Section 1.

1603The District

1604 constituting the seat of Government

1605 of the United States

1606 shall appoint in such manner

1607 as the Congress may direct:

1608A number of electors

1609 of President

1610 and Vice President

1611 equal to the whole number

1612 of Senators and Representatives in Congress

1613 to which the District would be entitled

1614 if it were a State,

1615 but in no event more than

1616 the least populous State;

1617 they shall be in addition

1618 to those appointed by the States,

1619 but they shall be considered,

1620 for the purposes of the election

1621 of President and Vice President,

1622 to be electors appointed by a State;

1623 and they shall meet in the District

1624 and perform such duties as provided

1625 by the twelfth article of amendment.

1626Section 2.

1627The Congress

1628 shall have power to enforce

1629 this article by appropriate legislation.

1630Amendment XXIV

1631Passed by Congress August 27, 1962.

1632Ratified January 23, 1964.

1633Section 1.

1634The right of citizens of the United States

1635 to vote in any primary or other election

1636 for President or Vice President,

1637 for electors for President or Vice President,

1638 or for Senator or Representative in Congress,

1639 shall not be denied or abridged

1640 by the United States or any State

1641 by reason of failure

1642 to pay any poll tax or other tax.

1643Section 2.

1644The Congress

1645 shall have power to enforce

1646 this article by appropriate legislation.

1647Amendment XXV

1648Passed by Congress July 6, 1965.

1649Ratified February 10, 1967.

1650Note: Article II, section 1, of the Constitution

1651 was affected by the 25th amendment.

1652Section 1.

1653In case

1654 of the removal of the President from office

1655 or

1656 of his death

1657 or

1658 resignation,

1659 the Vice President shall become President.

1660Section 2.

1661Whenever there is a vacancy

1662 in the office of the Vice President,

1663 the President shall nominate a Vice President

1664 who shall take office upon confirmation

1665 by a majority vote

1666 of both Houses of Congress.

1667Section 3.

1668Whenever the President transmits

1669 to the President pro tempore of the Senate

1670 and the Speaker of the House of Representatives

1671 his written declaration

1672 that he is unable

1673 to discharge the powers

1674 and duties of his office,

1675 and until he transmits to them

1676 a written declaration

1677 to the contrary,

1678 such powers and duties shall be discharged

1679 by the Vice President

1680 as Acting President.

1681Section 4.

1682Whenever

1683 the Vice President

1684 and

1685 a majority of either

1686 the principal officers of the executive departments

1687 or

1688 of such other body as Congress

1689 may by law provide,

1690 transmit

1691 to the President pro tempore of the Senate

1692 and the Speaker of the House of Representatives

1693 their written declaration

1694 that the President is unable

1695 to discharge the powers

1696 and duties of his office,

1697 the Vice President

1698 shall immediately

1699 assume the powers

1700 and duties of the office

1701 as Acting President.

1702Thereafter,

1703 when the President transmits

1704 to the President pro tempore of the Senate

1705 and the Speaker of the House of Representatives

1706 his written declaration

1707 that no inability exists,

1708 he shall resume the powers and duties

1709 of his office

1710 unless the Vice President

1711 and a majority of either

1712 the principal officers

1713 of the executive department

1714 or of such other body as Congress

1715 may by law provide,

1716 transmit within four days

1717 to the President pro tempore of the Senate

1718 and the Speaker of the House of Representatives

1719 their written declaration

1720 that the President is unable

1721 to discharge the powers and duties of his office.

1722 Thereupon Congress

1723 shall decide the issue,

1724 assembling within forty-eight hours

1725 for that purpose if not in session.

1726 If the Congress, within twenty-one days

1727 after receipt of the latter written declaration,

1728 or, if Congress is not in session,

1729 within twenty-one days

1730 after Congress is required to assemble,

1731 determines by two-thirds vote of both Houses

1732 that the President is unable to discharge

1733 the powers and duties of his office,

1734 the Vice President

1735 shall continue to discharge the same

1736 as Acting President;

1737 otherwise,

1738 the President shall resume

1739 the powers and duties of his office.

1740Amendment XXVI

1741Passed by Congress March 23, 1971.

1742Ratified July 1, 1971.

1743Note: Amendment 14, section 2, of the Constitution

1744 was modified by section 1 of the 26th amendment.

1745Section 1.

1746The right of citizens of the United States,

1747 who are eighteen years of age or older,

1748 to vote

1749 shall not be denied or abridged

1750 by the United States or by any State

1751 on account of age.

1752Section 2.

1753The Congress

1754 shall have power to enforce this article

1755 by appropriate legislation.

1756Amendment XXVII

1757Originally proposed Sept. 25, 1789.

1758Ratified May 7, 1992.

1759No law,

1760 varying the compensation for the services

1761 of the Senators and Representatives,

1762 shall take effect, until an election

1763 of Representatives shall have intervened.