1We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more 2perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic 3Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the 4general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to 5ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this 6Constitution for the United States of America. 7 8Article I. 9 10Section 1. All legislative Powers herein granted shall be 11vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall 12consist of a Senate and House of Representatives. 13 14Section 2. The House of Representatives shall be composed of 15Members chosen every second Year by the People of the 16several States, and the Electors in each State shall have 17the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most 18numerous Branch of the State Legislature. 19 20No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have 21attained to the Age of twenty-five Years, and been seven 22Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, 23when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which he 24shall be chosen. 25 26[Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among 27the several States which may be included within this Union, 28according to their respective Numbers, which shall be 29determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, 30including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and 31excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other 32Persons.] The actual Enumeration shall be made within three 33Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United 34States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in 35such Manner as they shall by Law direct. The Number of 36Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty 37Thousand, but each State shall have at Least one 38Representative; and until such enumeration shall be made, 39the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to chuse three, 40Massachusetts eight, Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations 41one, Connecticut five, New-York six, New Jersey four, 42Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia 43ten, North Carolina five, South Carolina five, and Georgia 44three. 45 46When vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, 47the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of 48Election to fill such Vacancies. 49 50The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and 51other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of 52Impeachment. 53 54Section 3. The Senate of the United States shall be composed 55of two Senators from each State, chosen by the Legislature 56thereof, for six Years; and each Senator shall have one 57Vote. 58 59Immediately after they shall be assembled in Consequence of 60the first Election, they shall be divided as equally as may 61be into three Classes. The Seats of the Senators of the 62first Class shall be vacated at the Expiration of the second 63Year, of the second Class at the Expiration of the fourth 64Year, and of the third Class at the Expiration of the sixth 65Year, so that one-third may be chosen every second Year; and 66if Vacancies happen by Resignation, or otherwise, during the 67Recess of the Legislature of any State, the Executive 68thereof may make temporary Appointments until the next 69Meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such 70Vacancies. 71 72No Person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to 73the Age of thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of 74the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an 75Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen. 76 77The Vice President of the United States shall be President 78of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be 79equally divided. 80 81The Senate shall chuse their other Officers, and also a 82President pro tempore, in the absence of the Vice President, 83or when he shall exercise the Office of President of the 84United States. 85 86The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all 87Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be 88on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United 89States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no 90Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two 91thirds of the Members present. 92 93Judgement in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further 94than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold 95and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the 96United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be 97liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and 98Punishment, according to Law. 99 100Section 4. The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections 101for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in 102each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may 103at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as 104to the Place of Chusing Senators. 105 106The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year, and 107such Meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, 108unless they shall by Law appoint a different Day. 109 110Section 5. Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, 111Returns and Qualifications of its own Members, and a 112Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; 113but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and may be 114authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in 115such Manner, and under such Penalties as each House may 116provide. 117 118Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, 119punish it Members for disorderly Behavior, and, with the 120Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member. 121 122Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from 123time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as may 124in their Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays of 125the Members of either House on any question shall, at the 126Desire of one fifth of those Present, be entered on the 127Journal. 128 129Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, 130without the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than 131three days, nor to any other Place than that in which the 132two Houses shall be sitting. 133 134Section 6. The Senators and Representatives shall receive a 135Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, 136and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They 137shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the 138Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at 139the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and 140returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in 141either House, they shall not be Questioned in any other 142Place. 143 144No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for 145which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under 146the Authority of the United States, which shall have been 147created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been encreased 148during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the 149United States, shall be a Member of either House during his 150Continuance in Office. 151 152Section 7. All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in 153the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or 154concur with Amendments as on other Bills. 155 156Every Bill which shall have passed the House of 157Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a 158Law, be presented to the President of the United States; If 159he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, 160with his Objections to that House in which it shall have 161originated, who shall enter the Objections at large on their 162Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such 163Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass 164the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to 165the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, 166and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become 167a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall 168be determined by Yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons 169voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the 170Journal of each House respectively. If any Bill shall not be 171returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) 172after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be 173a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the 174Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which 175Case it shall not be a Law. 176 177Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence of 178the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary 179(except on a question of Adjournment) shall be presented to 180the President of the United States; and before the Same 181shall take Effect, shall be approved by him, or being 182disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two thirds of the 183Senate and House of Representatives, according to the Rules 184and Limitations prescribed in the Case of a Bill. 185 186Section 8. The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect 187Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debt and 188provide for the common Defense and general Welfare of the 189United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be 190uniform throughout the United States; 191 192To borrow money on the credit of the United States; 193 194To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the 195several States, and with the Indian Tribes; 196 197To establish an uniform rule of Naturalization, and uniform 198Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United 199States; 200 201To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign 202Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures; 203 204To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the 205Securities and current Coin of the United States; 206 207To establish Post Offices and post Roads; 208 209To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by 210securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the 211exclusive Right to their respective Writings and 212Discoveries; 213 214To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court; 215 216To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the 217high Seas, and Offenses against the Law of Nations; 218 219To declare War, grand Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and to 220make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water; 221 222To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money 223to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years; 224 225To provide and maintain a Navy; 226 227To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land 228and naval Forces; 229 230To provide for calling for the Militia to execute the 231Laws of the Union; suppress Insurrections and repel 232Invasions; 233 234To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the 235Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be 236employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to 237the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, 238and the Authority of training the Militia according to the 239discipline prescribed by Congress; 240 241To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, 242over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, 243by Cession of particular States, and the acceptance of 244Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United 245States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places 246purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in 247which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, 248Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful 249Building;--And 250 251To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for 252carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other 253Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the 254United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof. 255 256Section 9. The Migration or Importation of such Persons as 257any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, 258shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year 259one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a tax or duty may 260be imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars 261for each Person. 262 263The privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be 264suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the 265public Safety may require it. 266 267No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed. 268 269No capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in 270Proportion to the Census or Enumeration herein before 271directed to be taken. 272 273No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any 274State. 275 276No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce 277or Revenue to the Ports of one State over those of another: 278nor shall Vessels bound to, or from one State, be obliged to 279enter, clear, or pay Duties in another. 280 281No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in 282Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular 283Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of 284all public Money shall be published from time to time. 285 286No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: 287And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under 288them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of 289any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind 290whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State. 291 292Section 10. No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, 293or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin 294Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and 295silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of 296Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the 297Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title of Nobility. 298 299No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay any 300Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may be 301absolutely necessary for executing it's inspection Laws: 302and the net Produce of all Duties and Imposts, laid by any 303State on Imports or Exports, shall be for the Use of the 304Treasury of the United States; and all such Laws shall be 305subject to the Revision and Controul of the Congress. 306 307No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any 308duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of 309Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another 310State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless 311actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not 312admit of delay. 313 314Article II. 315 316Section 1. The executive Power shall be vested in a 317President of the United States of America. He shall hold his 318Office during the term of four Years, and, together with the 319Vice-President, chosen for the same Term, be elected, as 320follows. 321 322Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature 323thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole 324Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State 325may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or 326Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or 327Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an 328Elector. 329 330[The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote 331by Ballot for two persons, of whom one at least shall not be 332an Inhabitant of the same State with themselves. And they 333shall make a List of all the Persons voted for, and of the 334Number of Votes for each; which List they shall sign and 335certify, and transmit sealed to the Seat of the Government 336of the United States, directed to the President of the 337Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in the Presence 338of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the 339Certificates, and the Votes shall then be counted. The 340Person having the greatest Number of Votes shall be the 341President, if such Number be a Majority of the whole Number 342of Electors appointed; and if there be more than one who 343have such Majority, and have an equal Number of Votes, then 344the House of Representatives shall immediately chuse by 345Ballot one of them for President; and if no Person have a 346Majority, then from the five highest on the List the said 347House shall in like Manner chuse the President. But in 348chusing the President, the Votes shall be taken by States, 349the representation from each State having one Vote; A quorum 350for this Purpose shall consist of a Member or Members from 351two-thirds of the States, and a Majority of all the States 352shall be necessary to a Choice. In every Case, after the 353Choice of the President, the Person having the greatest 354Number of Votes of the Electors shall be the Vice President. 355But if there should remain two or more who have equal Votes, 356the Senate shall chuse from them by Ballot the 357Vice-President.] 358 359The Congress may determine the Time of chusing the Electors, 360and the Day on which they shall give their Votes; which Day 361shall be the same throughout the United States. 362 363No person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the 364United States, at the time of Adoption of this Constitution, 365shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall 366any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have 367attained to the Age of thirty-five Years, and been fourteen 368Years a Resident within the United States. 369 370In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of 371his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers 372and Duties of the said Office, the same shall devolve on the 373Vice President, and the Congress may by Law provide for the 374Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of 375the President and Vice President, declaring what Officer 376shall then act as President, and such Officer shall act 377accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a President 378shall be elected. 379 380The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his 381Services, a Compensation, which shall neither be encreased 382nor diminished during the Period for which he shall have 383been elected, and he shall not receive within that Period 384any other Emolument from the United States, or any of them. 385 386Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall 387take the following Oath or Affirmation:--``I do solemnly 388swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office 389of President of the United States, and will to the best of 390my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of 391the United States.'' 392 393Section 2. The President shall be Commander in Chief of the 394Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of 395the several States, when called into the actual Service of 396the United States; he may require the Opinion in writing, of 397the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, 398upon any subject relating to the Duties of their respective 399Offices, and he shall have Power to Grant Reprives and 400Pardons for Offenses against the United States, except in 401Cases of Impeachment. 402 403He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of 404the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two-thirds of the 405Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and 406with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint 407Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of 408the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United 409States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided 410for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress 411may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, 412as they think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts 413of Law, or in the Heads of Departments. 414 415The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that 416may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting 417Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next 418Session. 419 420Section 3. He shall from time to time give to the Congress 421Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to 422their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge 423necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, 424convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of 425Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of 426Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall 427think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other public 428Ministers he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully 429executed, and shall Commission all the Officers of the 430United States. 431 432Section 4. The President, Vice President and all civil 433Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office 434on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or 435other high Crimes and Misdemeanors. 436 437Article III. 438 439Section 1. The judicial Power of the United States, shall be 440vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as 441the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. 442The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall 443hold their Offices during good Behaviour, and shall, at 444stated Times, receive for their Services a Compensation 445which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in 446Office. 447 448Section 2. The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in 449Law and Equity, arising under this Constitution, the Laws of 450the United States, and Treaties made, or which shall be made 451under their Authority;--to all Cases affecting Ambassadors, 452other public Ministers and Consuls;--to all Cases of 453admiralty and maritime Jurisdiction;--to Controversies to 454which the United States shall be a Party;--to Controversies 455between two or more States;--between a State and Citizens of 456another State;--between Citizens of different 457States;--between Citizens of the same State claiming Lands 458under Grants of different States, and between a State, or 459the Citizens thereof, and foreign States, Citizens or 460Subjects. 461 462In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers 463and Consuls, and those in which a State shall be Party, the 464supreme Court shall have original Jurisdiction. In all the 465other Cases before mentioned, the supreme Court shall have 466appellate Jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such 467Exceptions, and Under such Regulations as the Congress shall 468make. 469 470The trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment, 471shall be by Jury; and such Trial shall be held in the State 472where the said Crimes shall have been committed; but when 473not committed within any State, the Trial shall be at such 474Place and Places as the Congress may by Law have directed. 475 476Section 3. Treason against the United States, shall consist 477only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their 478Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be 479convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two 480Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in Open 481Court. 482 483The Congress shall have power to declare the Punishment of 484Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption 485of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person 486attained. 487 488Article IV. 489 490Section 1. Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each 491State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings 492of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws 493prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, records and 494Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof. 495 496Section 2. The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to 497all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several 498States. 499 500A person charged in any State with Treason, Felony, or other 501Crime, who shall flee from Justice, and be found in another 502State, shall on demand of the executive Authority of the 503State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to 504the State having Jurisdiction of the Crime. 505 506No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, under the 507Laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in Consequence 508of any Law or Regulation therein, be discharged from such 509Service or Labour, but shall be delivered up on Claim of the 510Party to whom such Service or Labour may be due. 511 512Section 3. New States may be admitted by the Congress into 513this Union; but no new State shall be formed or erected 514within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be 515formed by the Junction of two or more States, or parts of 516States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the 517States concerned as well as of the Congress. 518 519The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all 520needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or 521other Property belonging to the United States; and nothing 522in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice 523any Claims of the United States, or of any particular State. 524 525Section 4. The United States shall guarantee to every State 526in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall 527protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of 528the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature 529cannot be convened) against domestic Violence. 530 531Article V. 532 533The Congress, whenever two-thirds of both Houses shall deem 534it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, 535or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two-thirds of 536the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing 537Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all 538Intents and Purposes, as part of this Constitution, when 539ratified by the Legislatures of three-fourths of the several 540States, or by Conventions in three-fourths thereof, as the 541one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the 542Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior 543to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in 544any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth 545Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its 546Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the 547Senate. 548 549Article VI. 550 551All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before 552the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against 553the United States under this Constitution, as under the 554Confederation. 555 556This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which 557shall be made in Persuance thereof; and all Treaties made, 558or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United 559States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges 560in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the 561Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary 562notwithstanding. 563 564The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the 565Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive 566and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the 567several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to 568support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever 569be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust 570under the United States. 571 572Article VII. 573 574The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States shall be 575sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution 576between the States so ratifying the Same. 577 578Done in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the States 579present the Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of our 580Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty seven and of the 581Independence of the United States of America the Twelth. In 582witness whereof We have hereunto subscribed our Names. 583 584 Go WASHINGTON 585 Presidt and deputy from Virginia 586 587 588 New Hampshire. Delaware. 589 590John Langdan Geo: Read 591Nicholas Gilman John Dickinson 592 Jaco: Broom 593 Gunning Bedford jun 594 Massachusetts. Richard Bassett 595 596Nathaniel Gorham 597Rufus King Maryland. 598 599 James McHenry 600 Connecticut. Danl Carroll 601 Dan: of St Thos Jenifer 602Wm Saml Johnson 603Roger Sherman 604 Virginia. 605 606 New York. John Blair-- 607 James Madison Jr. 608Alexander Hamilton 609 610 North Carolina. 611 New Jersey. 612 Wm Blount 613Wil: Livingston Hu Williamson 614David Brearley. Richd Dobbs Spaight. 615Wm Patterson 616Jona: Dayton 617 South Carolina. 618 619 Pennsylvania. J. Rutledge 620 Charles Pinckney 621B. Franklin Charles Cotesworth Pinckney 622Robt. Morris Pierce Butler 623Thos. Fitzsimons 624James Wilson 625Thomas Mifflin Georgia. 626Geo. Clymer 627Jared Ingersoll William Few 628Gouv Morris Abr Baldwin 629 Attest: 630 WILLIAM JACKSON, Secretary. 631 632Articles in Addition To, and Amendment Of, the Constitution 633of the United States of America, Proposed by Congress, and 634Ratified by the Legislatures of the Several States, Pursuant 635to the Fifth Article of the Original Constitution. 636 637Article I. 638 639Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of 640religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or 641abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the 642right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition 643the Government for a redress of grievances. 644 645Article II. 646 647A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of 648a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, 649shall not be infringed. 650 651Article III. 652 653No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any 654house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, 655but in a manner to be prescribed by law. 656 657Article IV. 658 659The right of the people to be secure in their persons, 660houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches 661and seizures, shall not be violated and no Warrants shall 662issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or 663affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be 664searched, and the persons or things to be seized. 665 666Article V. 667 668No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or 669otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or 670indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the 671land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual 672service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any 673person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in 674jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any 675criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be 676deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process 677of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, 678without just compensation. 679 680Article VI. 681 682In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the 683right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of 684the State and district wherein the crime shall have been 685committed, which district shall have been previously 686ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and 687cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses 688against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining 689witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of 690Counsel for his defense. 691 692Article VII. 693 694In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall 695exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be 696preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise 697reexamined in any Court of the United States, than according 698to the rules of the common law. 699 700Article VIII. 701 702Excessive bail shall not be required, or excessive fines 703imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. 704 705Article IX. 706 707The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, 708shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained 709by the people. 710 711Article X. 712 713The powers not delegated to the United States by the 714Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are 715reserved to the States respectively, or to the people. 716 717Article XI. 718 719The Judicial power of the United States shall not be 720construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced 721or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens 722of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign 723State. 724 725Article XII. 726 727The Electors shall meet in their respective sates and vote 728by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at 729least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with 730themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person 731voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person 732voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct 733lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all 734persons voted for as Vice-President, and of the number of 735votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and 736transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United 737States, directed to the President of the Senate;--The 738President of the Senate shall, in presence of the Senate and 739House of Representatives, open all the certificates and the 740votes shall then be counted;--The person having the greatest 741number of votes for President, shall be the President, if 742such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors 743appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from 744the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three 745on the list of those voted for as President, the House of 746Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the 747President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be 748taken by states, the representation from each state having 749one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a 750member or members from two-thirds of the states, and a 751majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice. 752And if the House of Representatives shall not choose a 753President whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon 754them, before the fourth day of March next following, then 755the Vice-President shall act as President, as in the case of 756the death or other constitutional disability of the 757President.--The person having the greatest number of votes 758as Vice-President, shall be the Vice-President, if such 759number be a majority of the whole number of Electors 760appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from the 761two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the 762Vice-President; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of 763two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority 764of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no 765person constitutionally ineligible to the office of 766President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the 767United States. 768 769Article XIII. 770 771Section 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except 772as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been 773duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any 774place subject to their jurisdiction. 775 776Section 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article 777by appropriate legislation. 778 779Article XIV. 780 781Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United 782States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens 783of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. 784No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge 785the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United 786States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, 787liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny 788to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection 789of the laws. 790 791Section 2. Representatives shall be apportioned among the 792several States according to their respective numbers, 793counting the whole number of persons in each State, 794excluding Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote at 795any election for the choice of electors for President and 796Vice-President of the United States, Representatives in 797Congress, the Executive and Judicial officers of a State, or 798the members of the Legislature thereof, is denied to any of 799the male inhabitants of such state, being twenty-one years 800of age, and citizens of the United States, or in any 801abridged, except for participation in rebellion, or other 802crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced 803in the proportion which the number of such male citizens 804shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one 805years of age in such State. 806 807Section 3. No person shall be a Senator or Representative in 808Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or 809hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, 810or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as 811a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, 812or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive 813or judicial officer of any State, to support the 814Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in 815insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or 816comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote 817of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability. 818 819Section 4. The validity of the public debt of the United 820States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for 821payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing 822insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But 823neither the United States nor any State shall assume or pay 824any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or 825rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the 826loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, 827obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void. 828 829Section 5. The Congress shall have power to enforce, by 830appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article. 831 832Article XV. 833 834Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States to 835vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or 836by any State on account of race, color, or previous 837condition of servitude-- 838 839Section 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this 840article by appropriate legislation. 841 842Article XVI. 843 844The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on 845incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment 846among the several States, and without regard to any census 847or enumeration. 848 849Article XVII. 850 851The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two 852Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for 853six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The 854electors in each State shall have the qualifications 855requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the 856State legislatures. 857 858When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in 859the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall 860issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, 861That the legislature of any State may empower the executive 862thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill 863the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct. 864 865This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the 866election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes 867valid as part of the Constitution. 868 869Article XVIII. 870 871Section 1. After one year from the ratification of this 872article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of 873intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, 874or the exportation thereof from the United States and all 875territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage 876purposes is hereby prohibited. 877 878Section 2. The Congress and the several States shall have 879concurrent power to enforce this article by appropriate 880legislation. 881 882Section 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall 883have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by 884the legislature of the several States, as provided in the 885Constitution, within seven years from the date of the 886submission hereof to the States by the Congress. 887 888Article XIX. 889 890The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not 891be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State 892on account of sex. 893 894Congress shall have power to enforce this article by 895appropriate legislation. 896 897Article XX. 898 899Section 1. The terms of the President and Vice President 900shall end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms 901of Senators and representatives at noon on the 3d day of 902January, of the years in which such terms would have ended 903if this article had not been ratified; and the terms of 904their successors shall then begin. 905 906Section 2. The congress shall assemble at least once in 907every year, and such meeting shall begin at noon on the 3d 908day of January, unless they shall by law appoint a different 909day. 910 911Section 3. If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the 912term of the President, the President elect shall have died, 913the Vice President elect shall become President. If a 914President shall not have been chosen before the time fixed 915for the beginning of his term, or if the President elect 916shall have failed to qualify, then the Vice President elect 917shall act as President until a President shall have 918qualified; and the Congress may by law provide for the case 919wherein neither a President elect nor a Vice President elect 920shall have qualified, declaring who shall then act as 921President, or the manner in which one who is to act shall be 922selected, and such person shall act accordingly until a 923President or Vice President shall have qualified. 924 925Section 4. The Congress may by law provide for the case of 926the death of any of the persons from whom the House of 927Representatives may choose a President whenever the right of 928choice shall have devolved upon them, and for the case of 929the death of any of the persons from whom the Senate may 930choose a Vice President whenever the right of choice shall 931have devolved upon them. 932 933Section 5. Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect on the 15th 934day of October following the ratification of this article. 935 936Section 6. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall 937have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by 938the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States 939within seven years from the date of its submission. 940 941Article XXI. 942 943Section 1. The eighteenth article of amendment to the 944Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed. 945 946Section 2 The transportation or importation into any State, 947Territory, or possession of the United States for delivery 948or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the 949laws thereof, is hereby prohibited. 950 951Section 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall 952have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by 953conventions in the several States, as provided in the 954Constitution, within seven years from the date of the 955submission hereof to the States by the Congress. 956 957Article XXII. 958 959Section 1. No person shall be elected to the office of the 960President more than twice, and no person who has held the 961office of President, or acted as President, for more than 962two years of a term to which some other person was elected 963President shall be elected to the office of the President 964more than once. But this Article shall not apply to any 965person holding the office of President when this Article was 966proposed by the Congress, and shall not prevent any person 967who may be holding the office of President, or acting as 968President, during the term within which this Article become 969operative from holding the office of President or acting as 970President during the remainder of such term. 971 972Section 2. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall 973have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by 974the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States 975within seven years from the date of its submission to the 976States by the Congress. 977 978Article XXIII. 979 980Section I. The District constituting the seat of Government 981of the United States shall appoint in such manner as the 982Congress may direct: 983 984A number of electors of President and Vice President equal 985to the whole number of Senators and Representative in 986Congress to which the District would be entitled if it were 987a State, but in no event more than the least populous 988State; they shall be in addition to those appointed by the 989States, but they shall be considered, for the purposes of 990the election of President and Vice President, to be electors 991appointed by a State; and they shall meet in the District 992and perform such duties as provided by the twelfth article 993of amendment. 994 995Section 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this 996article by appropriate legislation. 997 998Article XXIV. 999 1000Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States to 1001vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice 1002President, for electors for President or Vice President, or 1003for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be 1004denied or abridged by the United States or any State by 1005reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax. 1006 1007Section 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this 1008article by appropriate legislation. 1009 1010Article XXV. 1011 1012Section 1. In the case of the removal of the President from 1013office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President 1014shall become President. 1015 1016Section 2. Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the 1017Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice 1018President who shall take office upon confirmation by a 1019majority vote of both Houses of Congress. 1020 1021Section 3. Whenever the President transmits to the President 1022pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of 1023Representative his written declaration that he is unable to 1024discharge the powers and duties of his office, and until he 1025transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, 1026such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice 1027President as Acting President. 1028 1029Section 4. Whenever the Vice President and a majority of 1030either the principal officers of the executive departments 1031or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, 1032transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the 1033Speaker of the House of Representatives their written 1034declaration that the President is unable to discharge the 1035power and duties of his office, the Vice President shall 1036immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as 1037Acting President. 1038 1039Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President 1040pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of 1041Representatives his written declaration that no inability 1042exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office 1043unless the Vice President and a majority of either the 1044principal officers of the executive department or of such 1045other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit within 1046four days to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the 1047Speaker of the House of Representatives their written 1048declaration that the President is unable to discharge the 1049powers and duties of his office. Thereupon Congress shall 1050decide the issue, assembling within forty-eight hours for 1051that purpose if not in session. If the Congress, within 1052twenty-one days after receipt of the latter written 1053declaration, or, if Congress is not in session, within 1054twenty-one days after Congress is required to assemble, 1055determines by two-thirds vote of both Houses that the 1056President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of 1057his office, the Vice President shall continue to discharge 1058the same as Acting President; otherwise, the President shall 1059resume the powers and duties of his office. 1060 1061Article XXVI. 1062 1063Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States, who 1064are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be 1065denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on 1066account of age. 1067 1068Section 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this 1069article by appropriate legislation. 1070 1071Article XXVII. 1072 1073No law, varying the compensation for the services of the 1074Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an 1075election of representatives shall have intervened. 1076