The Constitution of
the United States
Preamble
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union,
establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence,
promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves
and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United
States of America.
Article I
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.
Section 2.
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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.
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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.
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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. 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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When vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, the Executive
Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies.
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The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers;
and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.
Section 3.
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The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each
State, chosen by the Legislature thereof, for six Years; and each Senator
shall have one Vote.
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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 Resignation,
or 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.
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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.
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The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate,
but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year, and such Meeting
shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by Law appoint
a different Day.
Section 5.
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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.
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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.
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Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to time
publish the same, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgement 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.
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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.
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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.
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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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
increased 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.
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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.
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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 the 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.
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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.
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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;
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To borrow money on the credit of the United States;
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To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States,
and with the Indian Tribes;
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To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject
of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;
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To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the
Standard of Weights and Measures;
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To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current
Coin of the United States;
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To Establish Post Offices and Post Roads;
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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;
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To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;
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To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and
Offenses against the Law of Nations;
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To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning
Captures on Land and Water;
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To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall
be for a longer Term than two Years;
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To provide and maintain a Navy;
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To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;
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To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union,
suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;
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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.
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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
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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.
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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 on thousand eight hundred and eight, but a Tax or duty may be
imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person.
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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.
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No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.
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No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to
the Census or Enumeration herein before directed to be taken.
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No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
its 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 Control of the Congress.
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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.
Article II
Section 1.
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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:
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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.
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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 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 greater 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.
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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.
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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.
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In case of the removal of the President from Office, or of his Death, Resignation
or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office, the Same
shall devolve on the Vice President, and the Congress may by Law provide
for the Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the President
and Vice President, declaring what 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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The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a Compensation,
which shall neither be increased 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.
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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.
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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 Offenses against the United States, except
in Cases of Impeachment.
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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.
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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 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.
Article III
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.
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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 United State shall
be a Party;-to Controversies between two or more States;-between a State
and Citizens of another State;-between Citizens of the same State claiming
Lands under the Grants of different States, and between a State, or the Citizens
thereof, and foreign States, Citizens or Subjects.
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In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and
those in which a State shall be a Party, the supreme Court shall have original
Jurisdiction. In all the other Cases before mentioned, the supreme Court
shall have appellate Jurisdiction, both as Law and Fact, with such Exceptions,
and under such Regulations as the Congress shall make.
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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.
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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.
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The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no
Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture during
the Life of the Person attainted.
Article IV
Section 1.
Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the Public Acts, Records,
and 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.
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The Citizens of each State be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of
Citizens in the several States.
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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.
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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.
Section 3.
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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 two or more States, or Parts of States,
without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as
of the Congress.
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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 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.
Article V
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.
Article VI
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All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the Adoption of
this Constitution be as valid against the United States under this Constitution,
as under the Confederation.
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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.
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The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the
several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both
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.
Article VII
The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States shall be sufficient for
the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the
Same. ARTICLES IN ADDITION TO, AND AMENDMENT OF, THE CONSTITUTION OF THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, PROPOSED BY CONGRESS, AND RATIFIED BY THE LEGISLATURES
OF THE SEVERAL STATES PURSUANT TO THE FIFTH ARTICLE OF ORIGINAL CONSTITUTION.
[THE BILL OF RIGHTS" (AMENDMENTS I THROUGH X)]
Amendment I [1791]
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; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to
petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Amendment II [1791]
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.
Amendment III [1791]
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.
Amendment IV [1791]
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.
Amendment V [1791]
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.
Amendment VI [1791]
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 defence.
Amendment VII [1791]
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
to jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any Court of the United States,
than according to the rules of the common law.
Amendment VIII [1791]
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines posed, nor cruel
and unusual punishments inflicted.
Amendment IX [1791]
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights shall not be construed
to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Amendment X [1791]
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.
[END BILL OF RIGHTS]
Amendment XI [1798]
The Judicial power of the United States shall not be the 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.
Amendment XII [1804]
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.-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.
Amendment XIII [1865]
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.
Amendment XIV [1868]
Section 1.
All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the
jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State
wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge
the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall
any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process
of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection
of the laws.
Section 2.
Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to
their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State
excluding Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote at any election for
the choice of electors for President and Vice President of the United States,
Representatives in Congress, the Executive and Judicial officers of a State,
or the members of the Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the male
inhabitants of such State, being twenty-one years of age, and citizens of
the United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in rebellion,
or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the
proportion which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole
number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such State.
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.
Amendment XV [1870]
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.
Amendment XVI [1913]
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.
Amendment XVII [1913]
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The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each
State, elected by the people there of, 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.
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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.
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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.
Amendment XVIII [1919]
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.
Section 2.
The Congress and the several States shall have concurrent power to enforce
this article by appropriate legislation.
Section 3.
This article shall be in operative 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.
Amendment XIX [1920]
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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.
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Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
Amendment XX [1933]
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 3rd 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.
Section 2.
The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting
shall begin at noon on the 3rd day of January, unless they shall by law appoint
a different day.
Section 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 the 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.
Section 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.
Section 5.
Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect on the 15th day of October following the
ratification of this article.
Section 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.
Amendment XXI [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.
Amendment XXII [1951]
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 to which some other person was elected
President shall be elected to the office of 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 this Article becomes operative from holding
the office of President or acting as President during the remainder of such
term.
Section 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.
Amendment XXIII [1961]
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
ap pointed by a state; and they shall meet in the District and perform such
duties as provided by the twelfth article of amendment.
Section 2.
The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
Amendment XXIV [1964]
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.
Section 2.
The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
Amendment XXV [1967]
Section 1.
In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or
resignation, the Vice President shall become President.
Section 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.
Section 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.
Section 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 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 and 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 power 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.
Amendment XXVI [1971]
Section 1.
The 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.
Section 2.
The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
Amendment XXVII [1992]
No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and
Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives
shall have intervened.
For additional information about the Constitution, see these sites:
National
Archives and Records Administration: Constitution
Library
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