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106th Congress Document 2d Session HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES No. 106-214
PRESENTED BY MR. HYDE
January 31, 2000
House Doc. 106-214
The printing of the revised version of The Constitution of
the United States of America As Amended (Document Size) is
hereby ordered pursuant to H. Con. Res. 221 as passed on
January 31, 2000, 106th Congess, 2nd Session. This document was
compiled at the direction of Chairman Bill Thomas of the Joint
Committee on Printing, and printed by the U.S. Government
Printing Office.
CONTENTS
Foreword by Hon. Henry Hyde...................................... v
Historical Note.................................................. vii
Text of the Constitution......................................... 1
Amendments....................................................... 13
Proposed Amendments not ratified................................. 29
Index to the Constitution and amendments......................... 33
By Hon. Henry Hyde, Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary, U.S. House of Representatives
It is a great honor to present to the American people this
new annotated edition of our Constitution--the founding
document of our Republic.
It is not too much to say that this document (together with
the Declaration of Independence) is the product of the greatest
assemblage of political geniuses in modern history. It
establishes and defines the three branches of our Government,
the Legislative, the Executive and the Judiciary, and, as a
government of enumerated powers, reserves those powers not
granted to the Federal government to the people themselves.
On November 19, 1863, President Lincoln at Gettysburg best
described the kind of government our Founders and Framers have
given us--``a government of the people, by the people, and for
the people.'' The liberty we all enjoy in the United States is
our legacy from them.
Part of the Constitution's brilliance is its brevity and
flexibility. Our forefathers understood that it would be
necessary, due to changing times and circumstances, for the
people, through their elected federal and state representatives
to amend this fundamental document from time to time. Due to
this foresight, the Constitution now contains twenty seven
amendments which have been ratified by the states, and have
become a part of the basic law of the land. In addition, this
publication provides information on proposed amendments
approved by a two-thirds vote of each house of Congress but not
ratified by three-fourths of the states.
It is very important that our Constitution be made
accessible to as many Americans as possible, therefore, we have
provided for this special reprinting.
As we enter the new millennium, it is essential that our
people read and understand the powers and limitations of our
government, and the people's role in that government.
Our Constitutional Democracy is an ongoing experiment in
self-government. Although strong, it must not be taken for
granted. It will remain vibrant, a beacon on the hill to many
millions of people around the world as long as the American
people remain vigilant and dedicated to the basic principles
upon which it rests. Thus, as we set a course for the 21st
Century, let us keep faith with our forefathers and mothers, by
rededicating ourselves to the defense of constitutional
government and thus secure freedom for ourselves and our
children for generations to come.
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Section 1. All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.
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This text of the Constitution follows the engrossed copy signed by Gen. Washington and the deputies from 12 States. The small superior figures preceding the paragraphs designate clauses, and were not in the original and have no reference to footnotes.
The Constitution was adopted by a convention of the States on September 17, 1787, and was subsequently ratified by the several States, on the following dates: Delaware, December 7, 1787; Pennsylvania, December 12, 1787; New Jersey, December 18, 1787; Georgia, January 2, 1788; Connecticut, January 9, 1788; Massachusetts, February 6, 1788; Maryland, April 28, 1788; South Carolina, May 23, 1788; New Hampshire, June 21, 1788.
Ratification was completed on June 21, 1788.
The Constitution was subsequently ratified by Virginia, June 25, 1788; New York, July 26, 1788; North Carolina, November 21, 1789; Rhode Island, May 29, 1790; and Vermont, January 10, 1791.
In May 1785, a committee of Congress made a report recommending an alteration in the Articles of Confederation, but no action was taken on it, and it was left to the State Legislatures to proceed in the matter. In January 1786, the Legislature of Virginia passed a resolution providing for the appointment of five commissioners, who, or any three of them, should meet such commissioners as might be appointed in the other States of the Union, at a time and place to be agreed upon, to take into consideration the trade of the United States; to consider how far a uniform system in their commercial regulations may be necessary to their common interest and their permanent harmony; and to report to the several States such an act, relative to this great object, as, when ratified by them, will enable the United States in Congress effectually to provide for the same. The Virginia commissioners, after some correspondence, fixed the first Monday in September as the time, and the city of Annapolis as the place for the meeting, but only four other States were represented, viz: Delaware, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania; the commissioners appointed by Massachusetts, New Hampshire, North Carolina, and Rhode Island failed to attend. Under the circumstances of so partial a representation, the commissioners present agreed upon a report, (drawn by Mr. Hamilton, of New York) expressing their unanimous conviction that it might essentially tend to advance the interests of the Union if the States by which they were respectively delegated would concur, and use their endeavors to procure the concurrence of the other States, in the appointment of commissioners to meet at Philadelphia on the Second Monday of May following, to take into consideration the situation of the United States; to devise such further provisions as should appear to them necessary to render the Constitution of the Federal Government adequate to the exigencies of the Union; and to report such an act for that purpose to the United States in Congress assembled as, when agreed to by them and afterwards confirmed by the Legislatures of every State, would effectually provide for the same.
Congress, on the 21st of February, 1787, adopted a resolution in favor of a convention, and the Legislatures of those States which had not already done so (with the exception of Rhode Island) promptly appointed delegates. On the 25th of May, seven States having convened, George Washington, of Virginia, was unanimously elected President, and the consideration of the proposed constitution was commenced. On the 17th of September, 1787, the Constitution as engrossed and agreed upon was signed by all the members present, except Mr. Gerry of Massachusetts, and Messrs. Mason and Randolph, of Virginia. The president of the convention transmitted it to Congress, with a resolution stating how the proposed Federal Government should be put in operation, and an explanatory letter. Congress, on the 28th of September, 1787, directed the Constitution so framed, with the resolutions and letter concerning the same, to ``be transmitted to the several Legislatures in order to be submitted to a convention of delegates chosen in each State by the people thereof, in conformity to the resolves of the convention.''
On the 4th of March, 1789, the day which had been fixed for commencing the operations of Government under the new Constitution, it had been ratified by the conventions chosen in each State to consider it, as follows: Delaware, December 7, 1787; Pennsylvania, December 12, 1787; New Jersey, December 18, 1787; Georgia, January 2, 1788; Connecticut, January 9, 1788; Massachusetts, February 6, 1788; Maryland, April 28, 1788; South Carolina, May 23, 1788; New Hampshire, June 21, 1788; Virginia, June 25, 1788; and New York, July 26, 1788.
The President informed Congress, on the 28th of January, 1790, that
North Carolina had ratified the Constitution November 21, 1789; and he
informed Congress on the 1st of June, 1790, that Rhode Island had
ratified the Constitution May 29, 1790. Vermont, in convention,
ratified the Constitution January 10, 1791, and was, by an act of
Congress approved February 18, 1791, ``received and admitted into this
Union as a new and entire member of the United States.''
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Section. 2. \1\ The House of Representatives shall be
composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of
the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have
the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous
Branch of the State Legislature.
\2\ No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have
attained to the Age of twenty five Years, and been seven Years
a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when
elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be
chosen.
\3\ Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned
among the several States which may be included within this
Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be
determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons,
including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and
excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other
Persons.\2\ The actual Enumeration shall be made within three
Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United
States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such
Manner as they shall by Law direct. The Number of
Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty Thousand,
but each State shall have at Least one Representative; and
until such enumeration shall be made, the State of New
Hampshire shall be entitled to chuse three, Massachusetts
eight, Rhode-Island and providence Plantations one, Connecticut
five, New-York six, New Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight,
Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten, North Carolina five,
South Carolina five, and Georgia three.
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\2\ The part of this clause relating to the mode of apportionment of
representatives among the several States has been affected by section 2
of amendment XIV, and as to taxes on incomes without apportionment by
amendment XVI.
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\4\ When vacancies happen in the Representation from any
State, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of
Election to fill such Vacancies.
\5\ The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker
and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of
Impeachment.
Section. 3. \1\ The Senate of the United States shall be
composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the
Legislature thereof.\3\ for six Years; and each Senator shall
have one Vote.
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\3\ This clause has been affected by clause 1 of amendment XVII.
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\2\ Immediately after they shall be assembled in
Consequence of the first Election, they shall be divided as
equally as may be into three Classes. The Seats of the Senators
of the first Class shall be vacated at the Expiration of the
second Year, of the second Class at the Expiration of the
fourth Year, and of the third Class at the Expiration of the
sixth Year, so that one third may be chosen every second Year;
and if Vacancies happen by Resignationor otherwise, during the
Recess of the Legislature of any State, the Executive thereof may make
temporary Appointments until the next Meeting of the Legislature, which
shall then fill such Vacancies.\4\
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\4\ This clause has been affected by clause 2 of amendment XVIII.
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\3\ No Person shall be a Senator who shall not have
attained to the Age of thirty Years, and been nine Years a
Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected,
be an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen.
\4\ The Vice President of the United States shall be
President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be
equally divided.
\5\ The Senate shall chuse their other Officers, and also a
President pro tempore, in the Absence of the Vice President, or
when he shall exercise the Office of President of the United
States.
\6\ The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all
Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on
Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is
tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be
convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members
present.
\7\ Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend
further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to
hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the
United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be
liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and
Punishment, according to Law.
Section. 4. \1\ The Times, Places and Manner of holding
Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed
in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may
at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to
the Places of chusing Senators.
\2\ The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year
and such Meeting shall be on the first Monday in December,\5\
unless they shall by Law appoint a different Day.
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\5\ This clause has been affected by amendment XX.
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Section. 5. \1\ Each House shall be the Judge of the
Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members, and a
Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but
a smaller Number may adjourn from day to day, and may be
authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such
Manner, and under such Penalties as each House may provide.
\2\ Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings,
punish its Members for disorderly Behavior, and, with the
Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member.
\3\ Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and
from time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as may
in their Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays of the
Members of either House on any question shall, at the Desire of
one fifth of those Present, be entered on the Journal.
\4\ Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall,
without the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three
days, nor to any other Place than that in which the two Houses
shall be sitting.
Section. 6. \1\ The Senators and Representatives shall
receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by
Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States.\6\ They
shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the
Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the
Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and
returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either
House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.
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\6\ This clause has been affected by amendment XXVII.
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\2\ No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for
which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under
the Authority of the United States, which shall have been
created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been encreased
during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the
United States, shall be a Member of either House during his
Continuance in Office.
Section. 7. \1\ All Bills for raising Revenue shall
originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may
propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.
\2\ Every Bill which shall have passed the House of
Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law,
be presented to the President of the United States; If he
approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with
his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated,
who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and
proceed to reconsider it. If after such Reconsideration two
thirds of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be
sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by
which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two
thirds of that House, it shall become a Law. But in all such
Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be determined by yeas and
Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and against the
Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each House
respectively. If any Bill shall not be returned by the
President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall
have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like
Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their
Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a
Law.
\3\ Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the
Concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be
necessary (except on a question of Adjournment) shall be
presented to the President of the United States; and before the
Same shall take Effect, shall be approved by him, or being
disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two thirds of the
Senate and House of Representatives, according to the Rules and
Limitations prescribed in the Case of a Bill.
Section. 8. \1\ The Congress shall have Power To lay and
collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts
and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the
United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be
uniform throughout the United States;
\2\ To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;
\3\ To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among
the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;
\4\ To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and
uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the
United States;
\5\ To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of
foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;
\6\ To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the
Securities and current Coin of the United States;
\7\ To establish Post Offices and post Roads;
\8\ To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by
securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the
exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;
\9\ To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;
\10\ To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed
on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations;
\11\ To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal,
and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;
\12\ To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of
Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;
\13\ To provide and maintain a Navy;
\14\ To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the
land and naval Forces;
\15\ To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute
the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel
Invasions;
\16\ To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining,
the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be
employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the
States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the
Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline
prescribed by Congress;
\17\ To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases
whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square)
as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of
Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United
States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places
purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in
which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines,
Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful buildings;--And
\18\ To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper
for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other
Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the
United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.
Section. 9. \1\ The Migration or Importation of such
Persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to
admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the
Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a Tax or duty
may be imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars
for each Person.
\2\ The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be
suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the
public Safety may require it.
\3\ No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be
passed.
\4\ No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid,
unless in Proportion to the Census or Enumeration herein before
directed to be taken.\7\
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\7\ This clause has been affected by amendment XVI.
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\5\ No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from
any State.
\6\ No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of
Commerce or Revenue to the Ports of one State over those of
another: nor shall Vessels bound to, or from, one State, be
obliged to enter, clear, or pay Duties in another.
\7\ No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in
Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular
Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all
public Money shall be published from time to time.
\8\ No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United
States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust
under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept
of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind
whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.
Section. 10. \1\ No State shall enter into any Treaty,
Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and
Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but
gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any
Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the
Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title of Nobility.
\2\ No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress,
lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what
may be absolutely necessary for executing it's inspection Laws:
and the net Produce of all Duties and Imposts, laid by any
State on Imports or Exports, shall be for the Use of the
Treasury of the United States; and all such Laws shall be
subject to the Revision and Controul of the Congress.
\3\ No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay
any Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of
Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State,
or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually
invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.
Section. 1. \1\ The executive Power shall be vested in a
President of the United States of America. He shall hold his
Office during the Term of four Years, and, together with the
Vice President, chosen for the same Term, be elected, as
follows
\2\ Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the
Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to
the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the
State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or
Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit
under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector.
\3\ The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and
vote by Ballot for two Persons, of whom one at least shall not
be an Inhabitant of the same State with themselves. And they
shall make a List of all the Persons voted for, and of the
Number of Votes for each; which List they shall sign and
certify, and transmit sealed to the Seat of the Government of
the United States, directed to the President of the Senate. The
President of the Senate shall, in the Presence of the Senate
and House of Representatives,open to all the Certificates, and
the Votes shall then be counted. The Person having the greatest Number
of Votes shall be the President, if such Number be a Majority of the
whole Number of Electors appointed; and if there be more than one who
have such Majority, and have an equal Number of Votes, then the House
of Representatives shall immediately chuse by Ballot one of them for
President; and if no Person have a Majority, then from the five highest
on the List the said House shall in like Manner chuse the President.
But in chusing the President, the Votes shall be taken by States, the
Representation from each State having one Vote; A quorum for this
Purpose shall consist of a Member or Members from two thirds of the
States, and a Majority of all the States shall be necessary to a
Choice. In every Case, after the Choice of the President, the Person
having the greatest Number of Votes of the Electors shall be the Vice
President. But if there should remain two or more who have equal Votes,
the Senate shall chuse from them by Ballot the Vice President.\8\
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\8\ This clause has been superseded by amendment XII.
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\4\ The Congress may determine the Time of chusing the
Electors, and the Day on which they shall give their Votes;
which Day shall be the same throughout the United States.
\5\ No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen
of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this
Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President;
neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall
not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been
fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.
\6\ In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or
of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers
and Duties of the said Office,\9\ the Same shall devolve on the
Vice President, and the Congress may by Law provide for the
Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the
President and Vice President, declaring what Officer shall then
act as President, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until
the Disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.
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\9\ This clause has been affected by amendment XXV.
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\7\ The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his
Services, a Compensation, which shall neither be encreased nor
diminished during the Period for which he shall have been
elected, and he shall not receive within that Period any other
Emolument from the United States, or any of them.
\8\ Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he
shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:--``I do solemnly
swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of
President of the United States, and will to the best of my
Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the
United States.''
Section. 2. \1\ The President shall be Commander in Chief
of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia
of the several States, when called into the actual Service of
the United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of
the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments,
upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective
Offices, and he shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons
for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of
Impeachment.
\2\ He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent
of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the
Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with
the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint
Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the
supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States,
whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and
which shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by Law
vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think
proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the
Heads of Departments.
\3\ The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies
that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting
Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next
Session.
Section. 3. He shall from time to time give to the Congress
Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their
Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and
expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both
Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between
them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn
them to such Time as he shall think proper; he shall receive
Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take Care that
the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the
Officers of the United States.
Section. 4. The President, Vice President and all civil
Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on
Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other
high Crimes and Misdemeanors.
Section. 1. The judicial Power of the United States, shall
be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as
the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The
Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold
their Offices during good Behaviour, and shall, at stated
Times, receive for their Services, a Compensation, which shall
not be diminished during their Continuance in Office.
Section. 2. \1\ The judicial Power shall extend to all
Cases, in Law and Equity, arising under this Constitution, the
Laws of the United States, and Treaties made, or which shall be
made, under their Authority;--to all Cases affecting
Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls;--to all Cases
of admiralty and maritime Jurisdiction;--to Controversies to
which the the United States will be a party;--to Controversies
between two or more States;--between a State and Citizens of
another State;\10\ --between Citizens of different States,--
between Citizens of the same State claiming Lands under Grants
of different States, and between a State, or the Citizens
thereof, and foreign States, Citizens or Subjects.
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\10\ This clause has been affected by amendment XI.
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\2\ In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public
Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State shall be
Party, the supreme Court shall have original Jurisdiction. In
all the other Cases before mentioned, the supreme Court shall
have appellate Jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such
Exceptions, and under such Regulations as the Congress shall
make.
\3\ The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of
Impeachment, shall be by Jury; and such Trial shall be held in
the State where the said Crimes shall have been committed; but
when not committed within any State, the Trial shall be at such
Place or Places as the Congress may by Law have directed.
Section. 3. \1\ Treason against the United States, shall
consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to
their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be
convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses
to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.
\2\ The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment
of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption
of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person
attainted.
Section. 1. Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each
State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of
every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws
prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and
Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.
Section. 2. \1\ The Citizens of each State shall be
entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the
several States.
\2\ A Person charged in any State with Treason, Felony, or
other Crime, who shall flee from Justice, and be found in
another State, shall on Demand of the executive Authority of
the State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to
the State having Jurisdiction of the Crime.
\3\ No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, under
the Laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in Consequence
of any Law or Regulation therein, be discharged from such
Service or Labour, but shall be delivered up on Claim of the
Party to whom such Service or Labour may be due.\11\
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\11\ This clause has been affected by amendment XIII.
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Section. 3. \1\ New States may be admitted by the Congress
into this Union; but no new State shall be formed or erected
within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be
formed by the Junction of two or more States, or Parts of
States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States
concerned as well as of the Congress.
\2\ The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make
all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or
other Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in
this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any
Claims of the United States, or of any particular State.
Section. 4. The United States shall guarantee to every
State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall
protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of
the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature
cannot be convened) against domestic Violence.
The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.
\1\ All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into,
before the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid
against the United States under this Constitution, as under the
Confederation.
\2\ This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States
which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties
made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United
States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in
every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the
Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary
notwithstanding.
\3\ The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and
the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all
executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and
of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation,
to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever
be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust
under the United States.
The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same.
done in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the States present the Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty seven and of the Independence of the United States of America theTwelfth In witness whereof We have hereunto subscribed our Names,
GO. WASHINGTON--Presidt. and deputy from Virginia
[Signed also by the deputies of twelve States.]
Delaware
Geo: Read
Gunning Bedford jun
John Dickinson
Richard Bassett
Jaco: Broom
Maryland
James McHenry
Dan of ST ThoS Jenifer
DanL Carroll.
Virginia
John Blair--
James Madison Jr.
North Carolina
WM Blount
RichD. Dobbs Spaight.
Hu Williamson
South Carolina
J. Rutledge
Charles Cotesworth Pinckney
Charles Pinckney
Pierce Butler.
Georgia
William Few
Abr Baldwin
New Hampshire
John Langdon
Nicholas Gilman
Massachsetts
Nathaniel Gorham
Rufus King
Connecticut
WM. SamL. Johnson
Roger Sherman
New York
Alexander Hamilton
New Jersey
Wil: Livingston
David Brearley.
WM. Paterson.
Jona: Dayton
Pennsylvania
B Franklin
Thomas Mifflin
RobT Morris
Geo. Clymer
ThoS. FitzSimons
Jared Ingersoll
James Wilson.
Gouv Morris
Attest: William Jackson Secretary
Article [I.] \13\
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of
religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or
abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; of the right
of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the
Government for a redress of grievances.
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\12\ The first ten amendments of the Constitution of the United States (and two others, one of which failed of ratification and the other which later became the 27th amendment) were proposed to the legislatures of the several States by the First Congress on September 25, 1789. The first ten amendments were ratified by the following States, and the notifications of ratification by the Governors thereof were successively communicated by the President to Congress: New Jersey, November 20, 1789; Maryland, December 19, 1789; North Carolina, December 22, 1789; South Carolina, January 19, 1790; New Hampshire, January 25, 1790; Delaware, January 28, 1790; New York, February 24, 1790; Pennsylvania, March 10, 1790; Rhode Island, June 7, 1790; Vermont, November 3, 1791; and Virginia, December 15, 1791.
Ratification was completed on December 15, 1791.
The amendments were subsequently ratified by the legislatures of Massachusetts, March 2, 1939; Georgia, March 18, 1939; and Connecticut, April 19, 1939.
\13\ Only the 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th articles of amendment had
numbers assigned to them at the time of ratification.
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A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense.
In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
Excessive bail shall not be required, not excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparate others retained by the people.
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State.
The eleventh amendment to the Constitution of the United States was
proposed to the legislatures of the several States by the Third
Congress, on the 4th of March 1794; and was declared in a message from
the President to Congress, dated the 8th of January, 1798, to have been
ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the States. The dates
of ratification were: New York, March 27, 1794; Rhode Island, March 31,
1794; Connecticut, May 8, 1794, New Hampshire, June 16, 1794;
Massachusetts, June 26, 1794; Vermont, between October 9, 1794 and
November 9, 1794; Virginia, November 18, 1794; Georgia, November 29,
1794; Kentucky, December 7, 1794; Maryland, December 26, 1794;
Delaware, January 23, 1795; North Carolina, February 7, 1795.
Ratification was completed on February 7, 1795.
The amendment was subsequently ratified by South Carolina on
December 4, 1797. New Jersey and Pennsylvania did not take action on
the amendment.
The Electors shall meet in their respective states, and
vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom,
at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with
themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted
for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for
as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of all
persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as
Vice-President, and of the number of votes for each, which
lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the
seat of the government of the United States, directed to the
President of the Senate;--The President of the Senate shall, in
the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open
all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted;--The
person having the greatest number of votes for President, shall
be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole
number of Electors appointed; and if no person have such
majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers not
exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President,
the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by
ballot, the President. But in choosing the President, the votes
shall be taken by states, the representation from each state
having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a
member or members from two-thirds of the states, and a majority
of all the states shall be necessary to a choice. And if the
House of Representatives shall not choose a President whenever
the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth
day of March next following, then the Vice-President shall act
as President, as in the case of the death or other
constitutional disability of the President.\14\--The person
having the greatest number of votes as Vice-President, shall be
the Vice-President, if such number be a majority of the whole
number of Electors appointed, and if no person have a majority,
then from the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall
choose the Vice-President; a quorum for the purpose shall
consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a
majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice.
But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of
President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the
United States.
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\14\ This sentence has been superseded by section 3 of amendment XX.
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The twelfth amendment to the Constitution of the United States was
proposed to the legislatures of the several States by the Eighth
Congress, on the 9th of December, 1803, in lieu of the original third
paragraph of the first section of the second article; and was declared
in a proclamation of the Secretary of State, dated the 25th of
September, 1804, to have been ratified by the legislatures of 13 of the
17 States. The dates of ratification were: North Carolina, December 21,
1803; Maryland, December 24, 1803; Kentucky, December 27, 1803; Ohio,
December 30, 1803; Pennsylvania, January 5, 1804; Vermont, January 30,
1804; Virginia, February 3, 1804; New York, February 10, 1804; New
Jersey, February 22, 1804; Rhode Island, March 12, 1804; South
Carolina, May 15, 1804; Georgia, May 19, 1804; New Hampshire, June 15,
1804.
Ratification was completed on June 15, 1804.
The amendment was subsequently ratified by Tennessee, July 27,
1804.
The amendment was rejected by Delaware, January 18, 1804;
Massachusetts, February 3, 1804; Connecticut, at its session begun May
10, 1804.
Section 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude,
except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have
been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or
any place subject to their jurisdiction.
Section 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this
article by appropriate legislation.
The thirteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States
was proposed to the legislatures of the several States by the Thirty-
eighth Congress, on the 31st day of January, 1865, and was declared, in
a proclamation of the Secretary of State, dated the 18th of December,
1865, to have been ratified by the legislatures of twenty-seven of the
thirty-six States. The dates of ratification were: Illinois, February
1, 1865; Rhode Island, February 2, 1865; Michigan, February 2, 1865;
Maryland, February 3, 1865; New York, February 3, 1865; Pennsylvania,
February 3, 1865; West Virginia, February 3, 1865; Missouri, February
6, 1865; Maine, February 7, 1865; Kansas, February 7, 1865;
Massachusetts, February 7, 1865; Virginia, February 9, 1865; Ohio,
February 10, 1865; Indiana, February 13, 1865; Nevada, February 16,
1865; Louisiana, February 17, 1865; Minnesota, February 23, 1865;
Wisconsin, February 24, 1865; Vermont, March 9, 1865; Tennessee, April
7, 1865; Arkansas, April 14, 1865; Connecticut, May 4, 1865; New
Hampshire, July 1, 1865; South Carolina, November 13, 1865; Alabama,
December 2, 1865; North Carolina, December 4, 1865; Georgia, December
6, 1865.
Ratification was completed on December 6, 1865.
The amendment was subsequently ratified by Oregon, December 8,
1865; California, December 19, 1865; Florida, December 28, 1865
(Florida again ratified on June 9, 1868, upon its adoption of a new
constitution); Iowa, January 15, 1866; New Jersey, January 23, 1866
(after having rejected the amendment on March 16, 1865); Texas,
February 18, 1870; Delaware, February 12, 1901 (after having rejected
the amendment on February 8, 1865); Kentucky, March 18, 1976 (after
having rejected it on February 24, 1865).
The amendment was rejected (and not subsequently ratified) by
Mississippi, December 4, 1865.
\15\ See amendment XIX and section 1 of amendment XXVI.
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Section 3. No person shall be a Senator or Representative
in Congress, or elector of President and Vice President, or
hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or
under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a
member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or
as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or
judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of
the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or
rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the
enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of
each House, remove such disability.
Section 4. The validity of the public debt of the United
States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment
of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing
insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither
the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or
obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against
the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of
any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be
held illegal and void.
Section 5. The Congress shall have power to enforce, by
appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.
The fourteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States
was proposed to the legislatures of the several States by the Thirty-
ninth Congress, on the 13th of June, 1866. It was declared, in a
certificate of the Secretary of State dated July 28, 1868 to have been
ratified by the legislatures of 28 of the 37 States. The dates of
ratification were: Connecticut, June 25, 1866; New Hampshire, July 6,
1866; Tennessee, July 19, 1866; New Jersey, September 11, 1866
(subsequently the legislature rescinded its ratification, and on March
24, 1868, readopted its resolution of rescission over the Governor's
veto, and on Nov. 12, 1980, expressed support for the amendment);
Oregon, September 19, 1866 (and rescinded its ratification on October
15, 1868); Vermont, October 30, 1866; Ohio, January 4, 1867 (and
rescinded its ratification on January 15, 1868); New York, January 10,
1867; Kansas, January 11, 1867; Illinois, January 15, 1867; West
Virginia, January 16, 1867; Michigan, January 16, 1867; Minnesota,
January 16, 1867; Maine, January 19, 1867; Nevada, January 22, 1867;
Indiana, January 23, 1867; Missouri, January 25, 1867; Rhode Island,
February 7, 1867; Wisconsin, February 7, 1867; Pennsylvania, February
12, 1867; Massachusetts, March 20, 1867; Nebraska, June 15, 1867; Iowa,
March 16, 1868; Arkansas, April 6, 1868; Florida, June 9, 1868; North
Carolina, July 4 1868 (after having rejected it on December 14, 1866);
Louisiana, July 9, 1868 (after having rejected it on February 6, 1867);
South Carolina, July 9, 1868 (after having rejected it on December 20,
1866).
Ratification was completed on July 9, 1868.
The amendment was subsequently ratified by Alabama, July 13, 1868;
Georgia, July 21, 1868 (after having rejected it on November 9, 1866);
Virginia, October 8, 1869 (after having rejected it on January 9,
1867); Mississippi, January 17, 1870; Texas, February 18, 1870 (after
having rejected it on October 27, 1866); Delaware, February 12, 1901
(after having rejected it on February 8, 1867); Maryland, April 4, 1959
(after having rejected it on March 23, 1867); California, May 6 1959);
Kentucky, March 18, 1976 (after having rejected it on January 8, 1867).
Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States to
vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by
any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of
servitude.
Section 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this
article by appropriate legislation.
The fifteen30,th amendment to the Constitution of the United States
was proposed to the legislatures of the several States by the Fortieth
Congress, on the 26th of February, 1869, and was declared, in a
proclamation of the Secretary of State, dated March 30, 1870, to have
been ratified by the legislatures of twenty-nine of the thirty-seven
States. The dates of ratification were: Nevada, March 1, 1869; West
Virginia, March 3, 1869; Illinois, March 5, 1869; Louisiana, March 5,
1869; North Carolina, March 5, 1869; Michigan, March 8, 1869;
Wisconsin, March 9, 1869; Maine, March 11, 1869; Massachusetts, March
12, 1869; Arkansas, March 15, 1869; South Carolina, March 15, 1869;
Pennsylvania, March 25, 1869; New York, April 14, 1869 (and the
legislature of the same State passed a resolution January 5, 1870, to
withdraw its consent to it, which action it rescinded on March 30,
1970); Indiana, May 14, 1869; Connecticut, May 19, 1869; Florida, June
14, 1869; New Hampshire, July 1, 1869; Virginia, October 8, 1869;
Vermont, October 20, 1869; Missouri, January 7, 1870; Minnesota,
January 13, 1870; Mississippi, January 17, 1870; Rhode Island, January
18, 1870; Kansas, January 19, 1870; Ohio, January 27, 1870 (after
having rejected it on April 30, 1869); Georgia, February 2, 1870; Iowa,
February 3, 1870.
Ratification was completed on February 3, 1870, unless the
withdrawal of ratification by New York was effective; in which event
ratification was completed on February 17, 1870, when Nebraska
ratified.
The amendment was subsequently ratified by Texas, February 18,
1870; New Jersey, February 15, 1871 (after having rejected it on
February 7, 1870); Delaware, February 12, 1901 (after having rejected
it on March 18, 1869); Oregon, February 24, 1959; California, April 3,
1962 (after having rejected it on January 28, 1870); Kentucky, March
18, 1976 (after having rejected it on March 12, 1869).
The amendment was approved by the Governor of Maryland, May 7,
1973; Maryland having previously rejected it on February 26, 1870.
The amendment was rejected (and not subsequently ratified) by
Tennessee, November 16, 1869.
The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on
incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment
among the several States, and without regard to any census or
enumeration.
The sixteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States
was proposed to the legislatures of the several States by the Sixty-
first Congress on the 12th of July, 1909, and was declared, in a
proclamation of the Secretary of State, dated the 25th of February,
1913, to have been ratified by 36 of the 48 States. The dates of
ratification were: Alabama, August 10, 1909; Kentucky, February 8,
1910; South Carolina, February 19, 1910; Illinois, March 1, 1910;
Mississippi, March 7, 1910; Oklahoma, March 10, 1910; Maryland, April
8, 1910; Georgia, August 3, 1910; Texas, August 16, 1910; Ohio, January
19, 1911; Idaho, January 20, 1911; Oregon, January 23, 1911;
Washington, January 26, 1911; Montana, January 30, 1911; Indiana,
January 30, 1911; California, January 31, 1911; Nevada, January 31,
1911; South Dakota, February 3, 1911; Nebraska, February 9, 1911; North
Carolina, February 11, 1911; Colorado, February 15, 1911; North Dakota,
February 17, 1911; Kansas, February 18, 1911; Michigan, February 23,
1911; Iowa, February 24, 1911; Missouri, March 16, 1911; Maine, March
31, 1911; Tennessee, April 7, 1911; Arkansas, April 22, 1911 (after
having rejected it earlier); Wisconsin, May 26, 1911; New York, July
12, 1911; Arizona, April 6, 1912; Minnesota, June 11, 1912; Louisiana,
June 28, 1912; West Virginia, January 31, 1913; New Mexico, February 3,
1913.
Ratification was completed on February 3, 1913.
The amendment was subsequently ratified by Massachusetts, March 4,
1913; New Hampshire, March 7, 1913 (after having rejected it on March
2, 1911).
The amendment was rejected (and not subsequently ratified) by
Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Utah.
The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two
Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for
six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors
in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for
electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures.
When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in
the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue
writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the
legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to
make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies
by election as the legislature may direct.
This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the
election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid
as part of the Constitution.
The seventeenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States
was proposed to the legislatures of the several States by the Sixty-
second Congress on the 13th of May, 1912, and was declared, in a
proclamation of the Secretary of State, dated the 31st of May, 1913, to
have been ratified by the legislatures of 36 of the 48 States. The
dates of ratification were: Massachusetts, May 22, 1912; Arizona, June
3, 1912; Minnesota, June 10, 1912; New York, January 15, 1913; Kansas,
January 17, 1913; Oregon, January 23, 1913; North Carolina, January 25,
1913; California, January 28, 1913; Michigan, January 28, 1913; Iowa,
January 30, 1913; Montana, January 30, 1913; Idaho, January 31, 1913;
West Virginia, February 4, 1913; Colorado, February 5, 1913; Nevada,
February 6, 1913; Texas, February 7, 1913; Washington, February 7,
1913; Wyoming, February 8, 1913; Arkansas, February 11, 1913; Maine,
February 11, 1913; Illinois, February 13, 1913; North Dakota, February
14, 1913; Wisconsin, February 18, 1913; Indiana, February 19, 1913; New
Hampshire, February 19, 1913; Vermont, February 19, 1913; South Dakota,
February 19, 1913; Oklahoma, February 24, 1913; Ohio, February 25,
1913; Missouri, March 7, 1913; New Mexico, March 13, 1913; Nebraska,
March 14, 1913; New Jersey, March 17, 1913; Tennessee, April 1, 1913;
Pennsylvania, April 2, 1913; Connecticut, April 8, 1913.
Ratification was completed on April 8, 1913.
The amendment was subsequently ratified by Louisiana, June 11,
1914.
The amendment was rejected by Utah (and not subsequently ratified)
on February 26, 1913.
Section 1. After one year from the ratification of this
article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of
intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or
the exportation thereof from the United States and all
territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage
purposes is hereby prohibited.
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\16\ Repealed by section 1 of amendment XXI.
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Sec. 2. The Congress and the several States shall have
concurrent power to enforce this article by appropriate
legislation.
Sec. 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall
have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the
legislatures of the several States, as provided in the
Constitution, within seven years from the date of the
submission hereof to the States by the Congress.
The eighteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States
was proposed to the legislatures of the several States by the Sixty-
fifth Congress, on the 18th of December, 1917, and was declared, in a
proclamation of the Secretary of State, dated the 29th of January,
1919, to have been ratified by the legislatures of 36 of the 48 States.
The dates of ratification were: Mississippi, January 8, 1918; Virginia,
January 11, 1918; Kentucky, January 14, 1918; North Dakota, January 25,
1918; South Carolina, January 29, 1918; Maryland, February 13, 1918;
Montana, February 19, 1918; Texas, March 4, 1918; Delaware, March 18,
1918; South Dakota, March 20, 1918; Massachusetts, April 2, 1918;
Arizona, May 24, 1918; Georgia, June 26, 1918; Louisiana, August 3,
1918; Florida, December 3, 1918; Michigan, January 2, 1919; Ohio,
January 7, 1919; Oklahoma, January 7, 1919; Idaho, January 8, 1919;
Maine, January 8, 1919; West Virginia, January 9, 1919; California,
January 13, 1919; Tennessee, January 13, 1919; Washington, January 13,
1919; Arkansas, January 14, 1919; Kansas, January 14, 1919; Alabama,
January 15, 1919; Colorado, January 15, 1919; Iowa, January 15, 1919;
New Hampshire, January 15, 1919; Oregon, January 15, 1919; Nebraska,
January 16, 1919; North Carolina, January 16, 1919; Utah, January 16,
1919; Missouri, January 16, 1919; Wyoming, January 16, 1919.
Ratification was completed on January 16, 1919. See Dillon v.
Gloss, 256 U.S. 368, 376 (1921).
The amendment was subsequently ratified by Minnesota on January 17,
1919; Wisconsin, January 17, 1919; New Mexico, January 20, 1919;
Nevada, January 21, 1919; New York, January 29, 1919; Vermont, January
29, 1919; Pennsylvania, February 25, 1919; Connecticut, May 6, 1919;
and New Jersey, March 9, 1922.
The amendment was rejected (and not subsequently ratified) by Rhode
Island.
The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall
not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State
on account of sex.
Congress shall have power to enforce this article by
appropriate legislation.
The nineteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States
was proposed to the legislatures of the several States by the Sixty-
sixth Congress, on the 4th of June, 1919, and was declared, in a
proclamation of the Secretary of State, dated the 26th of August, 1920,
to have been ratified by the legislatures of 36 of the 48 States. The
dates of ratification were: Illinois, June 10, 1919 (and that State
readopted its resolution of ratification June 17, 1919); Michigan, June
10, 1919; Wisconsin, June 10, 1919; Kansas, June 16, 1919; New York,
June 16, 1919; Ohio, June 16, 1919; Pennsylvania, June 24, 1919;
Massachusetts, June 25, 1919; Texas, June 28, 1919; Iowa, July 2, 1919;
Missouri, July 3, 1919; Arkansas, July 28, 1919; Montana, August 2,
1919; Nebraska, August 2, 1919; Minnesota, September 8, 1919; New
Hampshire, September 10, 1919; Utah, October 2, 1919; California,
November 1, 1919; Maine, November 5, 1919; North Dakota, December 1,
1919; South Dakota, December 4, 1919; Colorado, December 15, 1919;
Kentucky, January 6, 1920; Rhode Island, January 6, 1920; Oregon,
January 13, 1920; Indiana, January 16, 1920; Wyoming, January 27, 1920;
Nevada, February 7, 1920; New Jersey, February 9, 1920; Idaho, February
11, 1920; Arizona, February 12, 1920; New Mexico, February 21, 1920;
Oklahoma, February 28, 1920; West Virginia, March 10, 1920; Washington,
March 22, 1920; Tennessee, August 18, 1920.
Ratification was completed on August 18, 1920.
The amendment was subsequently ratified by Connecticut on September
14, 1920 (and that State reaffirmed on September 21, 1920); Vermont,
February 8, 1921; Delaware, March 6, 1923 (after having rejected in on
June 2, 1920); Maryland, March 29, 1941 (after having rejected it on
February 24, 1920, ratification certified on February 25, 1958);
Virginia, February 21, 1952 (after having rejected it on February 12,
1920); Alabama, September 8, 1953 (after having rejected it on
September 22, 1919); Florida, May 13, 1969; South Carolina, July 1,
1969 (after having rejected it on January 28, 1920, ratification
certified on August 22, 1973); Georgia, February 20, 1970 (after having
rejected it on July 24, 1919); Louisiana, June 11, 1970 (after having
rejected it on July 1, 1920); North Carolina, May 6, 1971; Mississippi,
March 22, 1984 (after having rejected it on March 29, 1920).
Section 1. The terms of the President and Vice President
shall end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of
Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3d day of January,
of the years in which such terms would have ended if this
article had not been ratified; and the terms of their
successors shall then begin.
Sec. 2. The Congress shall assemble at least once in every
year, and such meeting shall begin at noon on the 3d day of
January, unless they shall by law appoint a different day.
Sec. 3. If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the term
of the President, the President elect shall have died, the Vice
President elect shall become President. If a President shall
not have been chosen before the time fixed for the beginning of
his term, or if the President elect shall have failed to
qualify, then the Vice President elect shall act as President
until a President shall have qualified; and the Congress may by
law provide for the case wherein neither a President elect nor
a Vice President elect shall have qualified, declaring who
shall then act as President, or the manner in which one who is
to act shall be selected, and such person shall act accordingly
until a President or Vice President shall have qualified.
Sec. 4. The Congress may by law provide for the case of the
death of any of the persons from whom the House of
Representatives may choose a President whenever the right of
choice shall have devolved upon them, and for the case of the
death of any of the persons from whom the Senate may choose a
Vice President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved
upon them.
Sec. 5. Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect on the 15th day
of October following the ratification of this article.
Sec. 6. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall
have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the
legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within
seven years from the date of its submission.
The twentieth amendment to the Constitution was proposed to the
legislatures of the several states by the Seventy-Second Congress, on
the 2d day of March, 1932, and was declared, in a proclamation by the
Secretary of State, dated on the 6th day of February, 1933, to have
been ratified by the legislatures of 36 of the 48 States. The dates of
ratification were: Virginia, March 4, 1932; New York, March 11, 1932;
Mississippi, March 16, 1932; Arkansas, March 17, 1932; Kentucky, March
17, 1932; New Jersey, March 21, 1932; South Carolina, March 25, 1932;
Michigan, March 31, 1932; Maine, April 1, 1932; Rhode Island, April 14,
1932; Illinois, April 21, 1932; Louisiana, June 22, 1932; West
Virginia, July 30, 1932; Pennsylvania, August 11, 1932; Indiana, August
15, 1932; Texas, September 7, 1932; Alabama, September 13, 1932;
California, January 4, 1933; North Carolina, January 5, 1933; North
Dakota, January 9, 1933; Minnesota, January 12, 1933; Arizona, January
13, 1933, Montana, January 13, 1933; Nebraska, January 13, 1933;
Oklahoma, January 13, 1933; Kansas, January 16, 1933; Oregon, January
16, 1933; Delaware, January 19, 1933; Washington, January 19, 1933;
Wyoming, January 19, 1933; Iowa, January 20, 1933, South Dakota,
January 20, 1933; Tennessee, January 20, 1933; Idaho, January 21, 1933;
New Mexico, January 21, 1933; Georgia, January 23, 1933; Missouri,
January 23, 1933; Ohio, January 23, 1933; Utah, January 23, 1933.
Ratification was completed on January 23, 1933.
The amendment was subsequently ratified by Massachusetts on January
24, 1933; Wisconsin, January 24, 1933; Colorado, January 24, 1933;
Nevada, January 26, 1933; Connecticut, January 27, 1933; New Hampshire,
January 31, 1933; Vermont, February 2, 1933; Maryland, March 24, 1933;
Florida, April 26, 1933.
Section 1. The eighteenth article of amendment to the
Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.
Section 2. The transportation or importation into any
State, Territory, or possession of the United States for
delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation
of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.
Section 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it
shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by
conventions in the several States, as provided in the
Constitution, within seven years from the date of the
submission hereof to the States by the Congress.
The twenty-first amendment to the Constitution was proposed to the
several states by the Seventy-Second Congress, on the 20th day of
February, 1933, and was declared, in a proclamation by the Secretary of
State, dated on the 5th day of December, 1933, to have been ratified by
36 of the 48 States. The dates of ratification were: Michigan, April
10, 1933; Wisconsin, April 25, 1933; Rhode Island, May 8, 1933;
Wyoming, May 25, 1933; New Jersey, June 1, 1933; Delaware, June 24,
1933; Indiana, June 26, 1933; Massachusetts, June 26, 1933; New York,
June 27, 1933; Illinois, July 10, 1933; Iowa, July 10, 1933;
Connecticut, July 11, 1933; New Hampshire, July 11, 1933; California,
July 24, 1933; West Virginia, July 25, 1933; Arkansas, August 1, 1933;
Oregon, August 7, 1933; Alabama, August 8, 1933; Tennessee, August 11,
1933; Missouri, August 29, 1933; Arizona, September 5, 1933; Nevada,
September 5, 1933; Vermont, September 23, 1933; Colorado, September 26,
1933; Washington, October 3, 1933; Minnesota, October 10, 1933; Idaho,
October 17, 1933, Maryland, October 18, 1933; Virginia, October 25,
1933; New Mexico, November 2, 1933; Florida, November 14, 1933; Texas,
November 24, 1933; Kentucky, November 27, 1933; Ohio, December 5, 1933;
Pennsylvania, December 5, 1933; Utah, December 5, 1933.
Ratification was completed on December 5, 1933.
The amendment was subsequently ratified by Maine, on December 6,
1933, and by Montana, on August 6, 1934.
The amendment was rejected (and not subsequently ratified) by South
Carolina, on December 4, 1933.
Section 1. No person shall be elected to the office of the
President more than twice, and no person who has held the
office of President, or acted as President, for more than two
years of a term of which some other person was elected
President shall be elected to the office of the President more
than once. But this Article shall not apply to any person
holding the office of President when this Article was proposed
by the Congress, and shall not prevent any person who may be
holding the office of President, or acting as President, during
the term within which thisArticle becomes operative from
holding the office of President or acting as President during the
remainder of such term.
Sec. 2. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall
have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the
legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within
seven years from the date of its submission to the States by
the Congress.
This amendment was proposed to the legislatures of the several
States by the Eightieth Congress on Mar. 21, 1947 by House Joint Res.
No. 27, and was declared by the Administrator of General Services, on
Mar. 1, 1951, to have been ratified by the legislatures of 36 of the 48
States. The dates of ratification were: Maine, March 31, 1947;
Michigan, March 31, 1947; Iowa, April 1, 1947; Kansas, April 1, 1947;
New Hampshire, April 1, 1947; Delaware, April 2, 1947; Illinois, April
3, 1947; Oregon, April 3, 1947; Colorado, April 12, 1947; California,
April 15, 1947; New Jersey, April 15, 1947; Vermont, April 15, 1947;
Ohio, April 16, 1947; Wisconsin, April 16, 1947; Pennsylvania, April
29, 1947; Connecticut, May 21, 1947; Missouri, May 22, 1947; Nebraska,
May 23, 1947; Virginia, January 28, 1948; Mississippi, February 12,
1948; New York, March 9, 1948; South Dakota, January 21, 1949; North
Dakota, February 25, 1949; Louisiana, May 17, 1950; Montana, January
25, 1951; Indiana, January 29, 1951; Idaho, January 30, 1951; New
Mexico, February 12, 1951; Wyoming, February 12, 1951; Arkansas,
February 15, 1951; Georgia, February 17, 1951; Tennessee, February 20,
1951; Texas, February 22, 1951; Nevada, February 26, 1951; Utah,
February 26, 1951; Minnesota, February 27, 1951.
Ratification was completed on February 27, 1951.
The amendment was subsequently ratified by North Carolina on
February 28, 1951; South Carolina, March 13, 1951; Maryland, March 14,
1951; Florida, April 16, 1951; Alabama, May 4, 1951.
The amendment was rejected (and not subsequently ratified) by
Oklahoma in June 1947, and Massachusetts on June 9, 1949.
Publication of the certifying statement of the Administrator of General Services that the amendment had become valid was made on Mar. 1, 1951, F.R. Doc. 51-2940, 16 F.R. 2019.
Section 1. The District constituting the seat of Government
of the United States shall appoint in such manner as the
Congress may direct:
A number of electors of President and Vice President equal
to the whole number of Senators and Representatives in Congress
to which the District would be entitled if it were a State, but
in no event more than the least populous State; they shall be
in addition to those appointed by the States, but they shall be
considered, for the purposes of the election of President and
Vice President, to be electors appointed by a State; and they
shall meet in the District and perform such duties as provided
by the twelfth article of amendment.
Sec. 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this
article by appropriate legislation.
This amendment was proposed by the Eighty-sixth Congress on June
17, 1960 and was declared by the Administrator of General Services on
Apr. 3, 1961, to have been ratified by 38 of the 50 States. The dates
of ratification were: Hawaii, June 23, 1960 (and that State made a
technical correction to its resolution on June 30, 1960);
Massachusetts, August 22, 1960; New Jersey, December 19, 1960; New
York, January 17, 1961; California, January 19, 1961; Oregon, January
27, 1961; Maryland, January 30, 1961; Idaho, January 31, 1961; Maine,
January 31, 1961; Minnesota, January 31, 1961; New Mexico, February 1,
1961; Nevada, February 2, 1961; Montana, February 6, 1961; South
Dakota, February 6, 1961; Colorado, February 8, 1961; Washington,
February 9, 1961; West Virginia, February 9, 1961; Alaska, February 10,
1961; Wyoming, February 13, 1961; Delaware, February 20, 1961; Utah,
February 21, 1961; Wisconsin, February 21, 1961; Pennsylvania, February
28, 1961; Indiana, March 3, 1961; North Dakota, March 3, 1961;
Tennessee, March 6, 1961; Michigan, March 8, 1961; Connecticut, March
9, 1961; Arizona, March 10, 1961; Illinois, March 14, 1961; Nebraska,
March 15, 1961; Vermont, March 15, 1961; Iowa, March 16, 1961;
Missouri, March 20, 1961; Oklahoma, March 21, 1961; Rhode Island, March
22, 1961; Kansas, March 29, 1961; Ohio, March 29, 1961.
Ratification was completed on March 29, 1961.
The amendment was subsequently ratified by New Hampshire on March
30, 1961 (when that State annulled and then repeated its ratification
of March 29, 1961).
The amendment was rejected (and not subsequently ratified) by
Arkansas on January 24, 1961.
Publication of the certifying statement of the Administrator of General Services that the amendment had become valid was made on Apr. 3, 1961, F.R. Doc. 61-3017, 26 F.R. 2808.
Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States to
vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice
President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for
Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or
abridged by the United States or any State by reason of failure
to pay any poll tax or other tax.
Sec. 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this
article by appropriate legislation.
This amendment was proposed by the Eighty-seventh Congress by
Senate Joint Resolution No. 29, which was approved by the Senate on
March 27, 2962, and by the House of Representatives on Aug. 27, 1962.
It was declared by the Administrator of General Services on Feb. 4,
1964, to have been ratified by the legislatures of 38 of the 50 States.
This amendment was ratified by the following States:
Illinois, November 14, 1962; New Jersey, December 3, 1962; Oregon,
January 25, 1963; Montana, January 28, 1963; West Virginia, February 1,
1963; New York, February 4, 1963; Maryland, February 6, 1963;
California, February 7, 1963; Alaska, February 11, 1963; Rhode Island,
February 14, 1963; Indiana, February 19, 1963; Utah, February 20, 1963;
Michigan, February 20, 1963; Colorado, February 21, 1963; Ohio,
February 27, 1963; Minnesota, February 27, 1963; New Mexico, March 5,
1963; Hawaii, March 6, 1963; North Dakota, March 7, 1963; Idaho, March
8, 1963; Washington, March 14, 1963; Vermont, March 15, 1963; Nevada,
March 19, 1963; Connecticut, March 20, 1963; Tennessee, March 21, 1963;
Pennsylvania, March 25, 1963; Wisconsin, March 26, 1963; Kansas, March
28, 1963; Massachusetts, March 28, 1963; Nebraska, April 4, 1963;
Florida, April 18, 1963; Iowa, April 24, 1963; Delaware, May 1, 1963;
Missouri, May 13, 1963; New Hampshire, June 12, 1963; Kentucky, June
27, 1963; Maine, January 16, 1964; South Dakota, January 23, 1964;
Virginia, February 25, 1977.
Ratification was completed on January 23, 1964.
The amendment was subsequently ratified by North Carolina on May 3,
1989.
The amendment was rejected by Mississippi (and not subsequently
ratified) on December 20, 1962.
Publication of the certifying statement of the Administrator of General Services that the amendment had become valid was made on Feb. 5, 1964, F.R. Doc. 64-1229, 29 F.R. 1715.
Section 1. In case of the removal of the President from
office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall
become President.
Sec. 2. Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the
Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President
who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of
both Houses of Congress.
Sec. 3. Whenever the President transmits to the President
pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of
Representatives his written declaration that he is unable to
discharge the powers and duties of his office, and until he
transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such
powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice President as
Acting President.
Sec. 4. Whenever the Vice President and a majority of
either the principal officers of the executive departments or
of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to
the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the
House of Representatives their written declaration that the
President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his
office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers
and duties of the office as Acting President.
Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President
pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of
Representatives his written declaration that no inability
exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office
unless the Vice President and a majority of either the
principal officers of the executive department \17\ or of such
other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit within four
days to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker
of the House of Representatives their written declaration that
the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of
his office. Thereupon Congress shall decide the issue,
assembling within forty-eight hours for that purpose if not in
session. If the Congress, within twenty-one days after receipt
of the latter written declaration, or, if Congress is not in
session, within twenty-one days after Congress is required to
assemble, determines by two-thirds vote of both Houses that the
President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his
office, the Vice President shall continue to discharge the same
as Acting President; otherwise, the President shall resume the
powers and duties of his office.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\17\ So in original. Probably should be ``departments''.
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This amendment was proposed by the Eighty-ninth Congress by Senate
Joint Resolution No. 1, which was approved by the Senate on Feb. 19,
1965, and by the House of Representatives, in amended form, on Apr. 13,
1965. The House of Representatives agreed to a Conference Report on
June 30, 1965, and the Senate agreed to the Conference Report on July
6, 1965. It was declared by the Administrator of General Services, on
Feb. 23, 1967, to have been ratified by the legislatures of 39 of the
50 States.
This amendment was ratified by the following States:
Nebraska, July 12, 1965; Wisconsin, July 13, 1965; Oklahoma, July
15, 1965; Massachusetts, August 9, 1965; Pennsylvania, August 18, 1965;
Kentucky, September 15, 1965; Arizona, September 22, 1965; Michigan,
October 5, 1965; Indiana, October 20, 1965; California, October 21,
1965; Arkansas, November 4, 1965; New Jersey, November 29, 1965;
Delaware, December 7, 1965; Utah, January 17, 1966; West Virginia,
January 20, 1966; Maine, January 24, 1966; Rhode Island, January 28,
1966; Colorado, February 3, 1966; New Mexico, February 3, 1966; Kansas,
February 8, 1966; Vermont, February 10, 1966; Alaska, February 18,
1966; Idaho, March 2, 1966; Hawaii, March 3, 1966; Virginia, March 8,
1966; Mississippi, March 10, 1966; New York, March 14, 1966; Maryland,
March 23, 1966; Missouri, March 30, 1966; New Hampshire, June 13, 1966;
Louisiana, July 5, 1966; Tennessee, January 12, 1967; Wyoming, January
25, 1967; Washington, January 26, 1967; Iowa, January 26, 1967; Oregon,
February 2, 1967; Minnesota, February 10, 1967; Nevada, February 10,
1967.
Ratification was completed on February 10, 1967.
The amendment was subsequently ratified by Connecticut, February
14, 1967; Montana, February 15, 1967; South Dakota, March 6, 1967;
Ohio, March 7, 1967; Alabama, March 14, 1967; North Carolina, March 22,
1967; Illinois, March 22, 1967; Texas, April 25, 1967; Florida, May 25,
1967.
Publication of the certifying statement of the Administrator of General Services that the amendment had become valid was made on Feb. 25, 1967, F.R. Doc. 67-2208, 32 F.R. 3287.
Section 1. That right of citizens of the United States, who
are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied
or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of
age.
Sec. 2. the Congress shall have power to enforce this
article by appropriate legislation.
This amendment was proposed by the Ninety-second Congress by Senate
Joint Resolution No. 7, which was approved by the Senate on Mar. 10,
1971, and by the House of Representatives on Mar. 23, 1971. It was
declared by the Administrator of General Services on July 5, 1971, to
have been ratified by the legislature of 39 of the 50 States.
This amendment was ratified by the following States: Connecticut,
March 23, 1971; Delaware, March 23, 1971; Minnesota, March 23, 1971;
Tennessee, March 23, 1971; Washington, March 23, 1971; Hawaii, March
24, 1971; Massachusetts, March 24, 1971; Montana, March 29, 1971;
Arkansas, March 30, 1971; Idaho, March 30, 1971; Iowa, March 30, 1971;
Nebraska, April 2, 1971; New Jersey, April 3, 1971; Kansas, April 7,
1971; Michigan, April 7, 1971; Alaska, April 8, 1971; Maryland, April
8, 1971; Indiana, April 8, 1971; Maine, April 9, 1971; Vermont, April
16, 1971; Louisiana, April 17, 1971; California, April 19, 1971;
Colorado, April 27, 1971; Pennsylvania, April 27, 1971; Texas, April
27, 1971; South Carolina, April 28, 1971; West Virginia, April 28,
1971; New Hampshire, May 13, 1971; Arizona, May 14, 1971; Rhode Island,
May 27, 1971; New York, June 2, 1971; Oregon, June 4, 1971; Missouri,
June 14, 1971; Wisconsin, June 22, 1971; Illinois, June 29, 1971;
Alabama, June 30, 1971; Ohio, June 30, 1971; North Carolina, July 1,
1971; Oklahoma, July 1, 1971.
Ratification was completed on July 1, 1971.
The amendment was subsequently ratified by Virginia, July 8, 1971;
Wyoming, July 8, 1971; Georgia, October 4, 1971.
Publication of the certifying statement of the Administrator of General Services that the amendment had become valid was made on July 7, 1971, F.R. Doc. 71-9691, 36 F.R. 12725.
No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened.
This amendment, being the second of twelve articles proposed by the
First Congress on Sept. 25, 1789, was declared by the Archivist of the
United States on May 18, 1992, to have been ratified by the
legislatures of 40 of the 50 States.
This amendment was ratified by the following States: Maryland,
December 19, 1789; North Carolina, December 22, 1789; South Carolina,
January 19, 1790; Delaware, January 28, 1790; Vermont, November 3,
1791; Virginia, December 15, 1791; Ohio, May 6, 1873; Wyoming, March 6,
1978; Maine, April 27, 1983; Colorado, April 22, 1984; South Dakota,
February 21, 1985; New Hampshire, March 7, 1985; Arizona, April 3,
1985; Tennessee, May 23, 1985; Oklahoma, July 10, 1985; New Mexico,
February 14, 1986; Indiana, February 24, 1986; Utah, February 25, 1986;
Arkansas, March 6, 1987; Montana March 17, 1987; Connecticut, May 13,
1987; Wisconsin, July 15, 1987; Georgia, February 2, 1988; West
Virginia, March 10, 1988; Louisiana, July 7, 1988; Iowa, February 9,
1989; Idaho, March 23, 1989; Nevada, April 26, 1989; Alaska, May 6,
1989; Oregon, May 19, 1989; Minnesota, May 22, 1989; Texas, May 25,
1989; Kansas, April 5, 1990; Florida, May 31, 1990; North Dakota, March
25, 1991; Alabama, May 5, 1992; Missouri, May 5, 1992; Michigan, May 7,
1992; New Jersey, May 7, 1992.
Ratification was completed on May 7, 1992.
The amendment was subsequently ratified by Illinois on May 12,
1992.
Publication of the certifying statement of the Archivist of the United States that the amendment had become valid was made on May 18, 1992, F.R. Doc. 92-11951, 57 F.R. 21187.
[Editorial note: There is some conflict as to the exact dates of ratification of the amendments by the several States. In some cases, the resolutions of ratification were signed by the officers of the legislatures on dates subsequent to that on which the second house had acted. In other cases, the Governors of several of the States ``approved'' the resolutions (on a subsequent date), although action by the Governor is not contemplated by article V, which required ratification by the legislatures (or conventions) only. In a number of cases, the journals of the State legislatures are not available. The dates set out in this document are based upon the best information available.]
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION NOT RATIFIED BY THE STATES
During the course of our history, in addition to the 27
amendments that have been ratified by the required three-
fourths of the States, six other amendments have been submitted
to the States but have not been ratified by them.
Beginning with the proposed Eighteenth Amendment, Congress
has customarily included a provision requiring ratification
within seven years from the time of the submission to the
States. The Supreme Court in Coleman v. Miller, 307 U.S. 433
(1939), declared that the question of the reasonableness of the
time within which a sufficient number of States must act is a
political question to be determined by the Congress.
In 1789, twelve proposed articles of amendment were
submitted to the States. Of these, Articles III-XII were
ratified and became the first ten amendments to the
Constitution, popularly known as the Bill of Rights. In 1992,
proposed Article II was ratified and became the 27th amendment
to the Constitution. Proposed Article I which was not ratified
is as follows:
``After the first enumeration required by the first article of the
Constitution, there shall be one Representative for every thirty
thousand, until the number shall amount to one hundred, after which the
proportion shall be so regulated by Congress, that there shall be not
less than one-hundred Representatives, nor less than one Representative
for every forty thousand persons, until the number of Representatives
shall amount to two hundred; after which the proportion shall be so
regulated by Congress, that there shall not be less than two hundred
Representatives, nor more than one Representative for every fifty
thousand persons.''
Thereafter, in the 2d session of the Eleventh Congress, the
Congress proposed the following article of amendment to the
Constitution relating to acceptance by citizens of the United
States of titles of nobility from any foreign government.
The proposed amendment, which was not ratified by three-
fourths of the States, is as follows:
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, two thirds of both houses concurring, That the following section be submitted to the legislatures of the several states, which, when ratified by the legislatures of three fourths of the states, shall be valid and binding, as a part of the constitution of the United States.
If any citizen of the United States shall accept, claim, receive or retain any title of nobility or honour, or shall, without the consent of Congress, accept and retain any present, pension, office or emolument of any kind whatever, from any emperor, king, prince or foreign power, such person shall cease to be a citizen of the United States, and shall be incapable of holding any office of trust or profit under them, or either of them.
The following amendment to the Constitution relating to slavery was proposed by the 2d session of the Thirty-sixth Congress on March 2, 1861, when it passed the Senate, having previously passed the House on February 28, 1861. It is interesting to note in this connection that this is the only proposed (and not ratified) amendment to the Constitution to have been signed by the President. The President's signature is considered unnecessary because of the constitutional provision that on the concurrence of two-thirds of both Houses of Congress the proposal shall be submitted to the States for ratification.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the following article be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which, when ratified by three- fourths of said Legislatures, shall be valid, to all intents and purposes, as part of the said Constitution, viz:
``No amendment shall be made to the Constitution which will
authorize or give to Congress the power to abolish or interfere, within
any State, with the domestic institutions thereof, including that of
persons held to labor or service by the laws of said State.''
A child labor amendment was proposed by the 1st session of the Sixty-eighth Congress on June 2, 1926, when it passed the Senate, having previously passed the House on April 26, 1926. The proposed amendment, which has been ratified by 28 States, to date, is as follows:
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled (two-thirds of each House concurring therein), That the following article is proposed as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which, when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States, shall be valid to all intends and purposes as a part of the Constitution:
``Section 1. The Congress shall have power to limit, regulate, and
prohibit the labor of persons under eighteen years of age.
``Section 2. The power of the several States is unimpaired by this
article except that the operation of State laws shall be suspended to
the extent necessary to give effect to legislation enacted by the
Congress.''
An amendment relative to equal rights for men and women was proposed by the 2d session of the Ninety-second Congress on March 22, 1972, when it passed the Senate, having previously passed the House on October 12, 1971. The seven-year deadline for ratification of the proposed amendment was extended to June 30, 1982, by the 2d session of the Ninety-fifth Congress. The proposed amendment, which was not ratified by three-fourths of the States by June 30, 1982, is as follows:
Joint Resolution Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of the United States Relative to Equal Rights for Men and Women
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled (two-thirds of each House concurring therein), That the following article is proposed as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission by the Congress:
``Section 1. Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied
or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.
``Sec. 2. The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by
appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.
``Sec. 3. This amendment shall take effect two years after the date
of ratification.''
An amendment relative to voting rights for the District of Columbia was proposed by the 2d session of the Ninety-fifth Congress on August 22, 1978, when it passed the Senate, having previously passed the House on March 2, 1978. The proposed amendment, which was not ratified by three-fourths of the States within the specified seven-year period, is as follows:
Joint Resolution Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution to Provide for Representation of the District of Columbia in the Congress.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled (two-thirds of each House concurring therein), That the following article is proposed as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission by the Congress:
``Section 1. For purposes of representation in the Congress,
election of the President and Vice President, and article V of this
Constitution, the District constituting the seat of government of the
United States shall be treated as though it were a State.
``Sec. 2. The exercise of the rights and powers conferred under
this article shall be by the people of the District constituting the
seat of government, and as shall be provided by the Congress.
``Sec. 3. The twenty-third article of amendment to the Constitution
of the United States is hereby repealed.
``Sec. 4. This article shall be inoperative, unless it shall have
been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures
of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date
of its submission.''
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