We the people of the United States, in order to form a more

perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility,

provide for the common defense, 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. 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.

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.

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.

When vacancies happen in the Representation from any state,

the executive authority thereof shall issue writs of election

to fill such vacancies.

The House of Representatives shall choose their speaker and

other officers; and shall have the sole power of impeachment.

Section 3. 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.

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 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.

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.

The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the

Senate, but shall have no vote, unless they be equally divided.

The Senate shall choose 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.

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.

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. 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 choosing Senators.

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. 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.

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.

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.

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. 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.

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. 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.

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.

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. The Congress shall have power to lay and collect

taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and

provide for the common defense and general welfare of the

United States; but all duties, imposts and excises shall

be uniform throughout the United States;

To borrow money on the credit of the United States;

To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the

several states, and with the Indian tribes;

To establish a uniform rule of naturalization, and uniform

laws on the subject of bankruptcies throughout the United States;

To coin money, regulate the value thereof, and of foreign coin,

and fix the standard of weights and measures;

To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the securities

and current coin of the United States;

To establish post offices and post roads;

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;

To constitute tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court;

To define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the

high seas, and offenses against the law of nations;

To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and

make rules concerning captures on land and water;

To raise and support armies, but no appropriation of money to

that use shall be for a longer term than two years;

To provide and maintain a navy;

To make rules for the government and regulation of the land

and naval forces;

To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws

of the union, suppress insurrections and repel invasions;

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;

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, dockyards, and

other needful buildings;--And

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. 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.

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.

No bill of attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.

No capitation, or other direct, tax shall be laid, unless in

proportion to the census or enumeration herein before directed

to be taken.

No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported from any state.

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.

No money shall be drawn from the treasury, but in consequence

of appropriations made by law; and a regular statement and

account of receipts and expenditures of all public money shall

be published from time to time.

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. No state shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or

confederation; grant letters of marque and reprisal; coin money;

emit bills of credit; make anything 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.

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 control of the Congress.

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. 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:

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.

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 choose 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 choose 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. 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 choose from them by ballot the Vice President.

The Congress may determine the time of choosing the electors, and

the day on which they shall give their votes; which day shall be

the same throughout the United States.

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.

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.

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.

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. 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.

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.

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.

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. 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

States shall be a party;--to controversies between two or more

states;--between a state and citizens of another state;--

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.

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.

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. 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.

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.

Article IV

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. The citizens of each state shall be entitled to all

privileges and immunities of citizens in the several states.

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.

No person held to service or labor 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 labor, but shall be delivered up on claim of the party

to whom such service or labor may be due.

Section 3. New states may be admitted by the Congress into this

union; but no new states 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.

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.

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

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.

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, anything in the Constitution or laws

of any State to the contrary notwithstanding.

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.

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.

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 the twelfth.

In witness whereof We have hereunto subscribed our Names,

G. Washington-Presidt. and deputy from Virginia

New Hampshire: John Langdon, Nicholas Gilman

Massachusetts: Nathaniel Gorham, Rufus King

Connecticut: Wm: Saml. Johnson, Roger Sherman

New York: Alexander Hamilton

New Jersey: Wil: Livingston, David Brearly, Wm. Paterson,

Jona: Dayton

Pennsylvania: B. Franklin, Thomas Mifflin, Robt. Morris,

Geo. Clymer, Thos. FitzSimons, Jared Ingersoll, James Wilson,

Gouv Morris

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

AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION IF THE UNITED STATES

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 offense 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 defense.

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 by a 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

imposed, 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.

Amendment XI (1798)

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.

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

of enumeration.

Amendment XVII (1913)

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.

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 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.

Amendment XIX (1920)

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.

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 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.

Section 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.

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 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.

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 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 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 appointed 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 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.

Amendment XXVI (1971)

Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States, who

are 18 years of age or older, to vote, shall not be denied or

abridged by the United States or any state on account of age.

Section 2. The Congress shall have the power to enforce this

article by appropriate legislation.

Amendment XXVII

No law varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and

Representatives shall take effect until an election of Representatives

shall have intervened.

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[Based on text...]

Prepared by Gerald Murphy (Cleveland Free-Net - aa300)

Distributed by the Cybercasting Services Division of the National

Public Telecomputing Network (NPTN).

Permission is hereby granted to download, reprint, and/or

otherwise redistribute this file, provided appropriate point of

origin credit is given to the preparer(s) and the National Public

Telecomputing Network.

This by far is the single most important document that law enforcement needs to abide by. This document has been stretched to the limits by lawyers, and has withstood the test of time.

Mike Stark

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The ideas and opinions expressed in this website are the author's.  They are in no way endorsed by, or controlled by the City of Atlanta Police Department, or the Fulton County Police Department.