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