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First Amendment
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the
people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
[11] The
first 10 Amendments (termed articles), together with two others that failed ratification, were proposed to the
several States by resolution of Congress on September 25, 1789. The ratification's were transmitted by the Governors
to the President and by him communicated to Congress from time to
time.
The first 10 amendments were ratified by
11 of the 14 States. Virginia completed the required three-fourths by ratification on December 15, 1791, and its
action was communicated to Congress by the President on December 30, 1791. The legislatures on Massachusetts, Georgia
and Connecticut ratified them on March 2, 1939, March 24, 1939 and April 19, 1939 respectively.
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Second Amendment
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State,
the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
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Third Amendment
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without
the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
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Fourth Amendment
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers,
and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but
upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and
the persons or things to be seized.
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Fifth Amendment
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime,
unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or
in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the
same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness
against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property
be taken for public use, without just compensation.
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Sixth Amendment
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a
speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed,
which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the
accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses
in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.
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Seventh Amendment
In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty
dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined
in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
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Eighth Amendment
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor
cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
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Ninth Amendment
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be
construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
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Tenth Amendment
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor
prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
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Eleventh Amendment
The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend
to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State,
or by Citizens or subjects of any foreign State.
[12] The
Eleventh Amendment was proposed by resolution of Congress on March 4, 1794. It was declared by the President, in
a message to Congress dated January 8, 1798 to have been ratified by three fourth of the several States. Records
of the Department of State show that the 11th Amendment was ratified by 13 of the 16 States and rejected by New
Jersey and Pennsylvania.
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Twelfth Amendment
The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by ballot
for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same State with themselves;
they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for
as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons
voted for as Vice-President and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit
sealed to the seat of the Government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate; The President
of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and
the votes shall then be counted; The person having the greatest number of votes for President, shall be the President,
if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed; and if no person have such majority, then
from the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President, the
House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President. But in choosing the President, the
votes shall be taken by States, the representation from each State having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall
consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the States, and a majority of all the States shall be necessary
to a choice. [ And
if the House of Representatives shall not choose a President whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them,
before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice-President shall act as President, as in the case of
the death or other constitutional disability of the President. ]
--14 The Part enclosed in brackets
has been superseded by section 3 of Amendment XX ] The person having
the greatest number of votes as Vice-President, shall be the Vice-President, if such number be a majority of the
whole number of Electors appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the
list, the Senate shall choose the Vice-President; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole
number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally
ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States.
[13] The Twelfth Amendment was proposed in lieu of the original
third paragraph of section 1 of article II, by resolution of Congress on December 8, 1803. It was declared in a
proclamation of the Secretary of State, dated September 25, 1804, to have been ratified by three fourths of the
States. Records of the Department of State show that the twelfth Amendment was ratified by 12 of the 17 States
and rejected by Connecticut and Delaware.
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Thirteenth Amendment
Section 1. Neither slavery
nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall
exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
Section 2. Congress shall have
power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
[15] The
Thirteenth Amendment was proposed by resolution of Congress which the President approved on February 1, 1865. It
was declared in a proclamation of the Secretary of State, dated December 18, 1865 to have been ratified by 27 States.
Subsequent records of the Department of State show that the 13th Amendment was ratified by 7 additional States.
It was rejected by Mississippi.
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Fortheenth Amendment
Section 1. All persons born
or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States
and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges
or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property,
without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
Section 2. Representatives
shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number
of persons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote at any election for the choice
of Electors for President and Vice-President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, the executive and
judicial officers of a State, or the members of the Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the male inhabitants
of such State, being twenty-one years of age, and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged, except
for participation in rebellion, or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion
which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of age
in such State.
Section 3. No person shall
be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil
or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of
Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or
judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection
or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds
of each House, remove such disability.
Section 4. The validity of
the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties
for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor
any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United
States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall
be held illegal and void.
Section 5. The Congress shall
have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.
[16] The
Fourteenth Amendment was proposed by resolution of Congress on June 13, 1866. By a concurrent resolution of Congress
adopted July 21, 1868, it was declared to have been ratified by "three fourths and more of the several States
of the Union," and the Secretary of State was required duly to promulgate the amendment as part of the Constitution.
He accordingly issued a proclamation, dated July 28, 1868, declaring the amendment to have been ratified by 30
States, "being more than three fourths." Records of the Department of State show that the 14th Amendment
was subsequently ratified by 3 more of the States. It was rejected by Kentucky and New Jersey.
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Fifteenth Amendment
Section 1. The right of citizens
of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of
race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
Section 2. The Congress shall
have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
[17] The
Fifteenth Amendment was proposed by resolution of Congress on February 26, 1869. It was declared in a proclamation
of the Secretary of State, dated March 30, 1870, to have been ratified by 29 States, which "constitute three
fourths." Records of the Department of State show that the 15th Amendment was subsequently ratified by 6 more
States. It was rejected by Kentucky and Tennessee.
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Sixteenth Amendment
The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from
whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States and without regard to any census or enumeration.
[18] The
Sixteenth Amendment was proposed by resolution of Congress on July 12, 1909. It was declared in a proclamation
of the Secretary of State, dated February 25, 1913, to have been ratified by 38 States, which " constitute
three fourths." Subsequent records of the Department of State show that the 16th Amendment was ratified by
4 more States. It was rejected by Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Utah.
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Seventeenth Amendment
The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two senators from
each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in
each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislature.
When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall
issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the executive
thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.
This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any senator chosen before it becomes
valid as part of the Constitution.
[19] The
Seventeenth Amendment was proposed by resolution of Congress on May 13, 1912. It was declared in a proclamation
of the Secretary of State, May 31, 1931, to have been ratified by 36 States, which "constitute three fourths."
Records of the Department of State show that the 17th Amendment was subsequently ratified by 1 more State. It was
rejected by Utah and Delaware.
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Eighteenth Amendment
Section 1. After one year from
the ratification of this article, the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the
importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction
thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.
Section 2. The Congress and
the several States shall have concurrent power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
Section 3. This article shall
be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of the
several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the
States by Congress.
[20] The
Eighteenth Amendment was proposed by resolution of Congress on December 18, 1917. It was declared in a proclamation
of the Acting Secretary of State, dated January 29, 1919, to have been ratified by 36 States, which "constitute
three fourths." Subsequent records of the Department of State show that the 18th Amendment was ratified by
10 more of the 48 States. It was rejected by Rhode Island. By it own terms the 18th Amendment became effective
one year after its ratification, which was consummated on January 16, 1919, and therefore went into effect on January
16, 1920.
Repeal of the 18th Amendment on December 5, 1933, was proclaimed by the President in his proclamation of that date,
when the ratification of the 21st Amendment was certified by the Acting Secretary of State.
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Nineteenth Amendment
The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied
or abridged by the United States or by any States on account of sex. The Congress shall have power by appropriate
legislation to enforce the provisions of this article.
[21] The
Nineteenth Amendment was proposed by resolution of Congress on June 4, 1919. It was declared in a proclamation
of the Secretary of State, dated August 26, 1920, to have been ratified by 36 States which "constitute three
fourths." Subsequent records of the Department of State show that the 19th Amendment was ratified by 2 more
States. It was rejected by Georgia, South Carolina, Delaware, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Virginia.
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Twentieth Amendment
Section 1. The terms of the
President and Vice-President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives
at noon on the 3d day of January, of the years in which such terms would have ended if this article had not been
ratified; and the terms of their successors shall then begin.
Section 2. The Congress shall
assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall begin at noon on the 3d day of January, unless they
shall by law appoint a different day.
Section 3. If, at the time
fixed for the beginning of the term of the President, the President-elect shall have died, the Vice-President-elect
shall become President. If a President shall not have been chosen before the time fixed for the beginning of his
term, or if the President-elect shall have failed to qualify, then the Vice-President-elect shall act as President
until a President shall have qualified; and the Congress may by law provide for the case wherein neither a President-elect
nor a Vice-President-elect shall have qualified, declaring who shall then act as President, or the manner in which
one who is to act shall be selected, and such person shall act accordingly until a President or Vice-President
shall have qualified.
Section 4. The Congress may
by law provide for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the House of Representatives may choose
a President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them, and for the case of the death of any of
the persons from whom the Senate may choose a Vice-President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon
them.
Section 5. Sections 1 and 2
shall take effect on the 15th day of October following the ratification of this article.
Section 6. This article shall
be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths
of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission.
[22] The
Twentieth Amendment was proposed by resolution of Congress on March 2, 1932. It was declared in a proclamation
of the Secretary of State, dated February 26, 1933 to have been ratified by 39 States, which "constitute more
than the requisite three fourths." Subsequent records of the Department of State show that the 20th Amendment
was ratified by all of the 48 States before sections 1 and 2 became effective on October 15, 1933. The other sections
of the amendment became effective January 23, 1933, when its ratification was consummated by three fourths of the
States.
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Twenty-first Amendment
Section 1. The eighteenth article
of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.
Section 2. The transportation
or importation into any State, Territory, or possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating
liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.
Section 3. The article shall
be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by conventions in the several
States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States
by the Congress.
[23] The Twenty-First Amendment was proposed by resolution of Congress on February
20, 1933. It was declared in a proclamation of the Acting Secretary of State, dated December 5, 1933 to have been
ratified by conventions of 36 States, which "constitute the requisite three fourths of the whole number of
States." Subsequent records of the Department of State show that the 21st Amendment was ratified by 1 more
State. It was rejected by the convention of South Carolina. North Carolina voted against holding a convention.
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Twenty-second Amendment
Section 1. No person shall
be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President,
or acted as President for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall
be elected to the office of the President more than once. But this Article shall not apply to any person holding
the office of President when this Article was proposed by the Congress, and shall not prevent any person who May
be holding the office of President, or acting as President, during the term within which this Article becomes operative
from holding the office of President or acting as President during the remainder of such term.
Section 2. This article shall
be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths
of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission to the States by the Congress.
[24] The
Twenty-Second Amendment was proposed by resolution of Congress on March 24, 1947. Ratification was completed on
February 27, 1951, when the 36th State (Minnesota) approved the amendment. On March 1, 1951, the Administrator
of General Services certified that "the States whose Legislatures
have so ratified the said proposed Amendment constitute the requisite three fourths of the whole number of States
in the United States." Records of the General Services Administration show that the 22nd Amendment was subsequently
ratified by 5 additional States.
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Twenty-third Amendment
Section 1. The District constituting
the seat of government of the United States shall appoint in such manner as the Congress may direct: A number of
electors of President and Vice-President equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives in Congress
to which the District would be entitled if it were a State, but in no event more than the least populous State;
they shall be in addition to those appointed by the States, but they shall be considered, for the purposes of the
election of President and Vice-President, to be electors appointed by a State; and they shall meet in the district
and perform such duties as provided by the twelfth article of amendment.
Section 2. The Congress shall
have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
[25] The
Twenty-Third Amendment was proposed by resolution of Congress on June 16, 1960. The Administrator of General Services
certified the ratification and adoption of the Amendment by three fourths of the States on April 3, 1961. It was
rejected by Arkansas
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Twenty-fourth Amendment
Section 1. The right of citizens
of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice-President, for electors for
President or Vice-President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the
United States or any State by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax.
Section 2. The Congress shall
have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
[26] The
Twenty-Fourth Amendment was proposed by resolution of Congress on August 27, 1962. It was declared in a Proclamation
the Administrator of General Services dated February 4, 1964, to had been ratified by three fourths of the States.
It was rejected by the legislature of Mississippi on December 20, 1962.
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Twenty-fifth Amendment
Section 1. In case of the removal
of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice-President shall become President.
Section 2. Whenever there is
a vacancy in the office of the Vice-President, the President shall nominate a Vice-President who shall take office
upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress.
Section 3. Whenever the President
transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written
declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, and until he transmits to them
a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice-President as Acting
President.
Section 4. Whenever the Vice-President
and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress
may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives
their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice-President
shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.
Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House
of Representatives his written declaration that no inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his
office unless the Vice-President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive department or
of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit within four days to the President pro tempore of the
Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to
discharge the powers and duties of his office. Thereupon Congress shall decide the issue, assembling within forty-eight
hours for that purpose if not in session. If the Congress, within twenty-one days after receipt of the latter written
declaration, or, if Congress is not in session, within twenty-one days after Congress is required to assemble,
determines by two-thirds vote of both Houses that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of
his office, the Vice-President shall continue to discharge the same as Acting President; otherwise, the President
shall resume the powers and duties of his office.
[27] The
Twenty-Fifth Amendment was proposed by resolution of Congress on July 6, 1965. It was declared in a certificate
of the Administrator of General Services dated February 23, 1967, to have been ratified by the legislatures of
39 of the 50 States. Ratification was completed on February 10, 1967.The amendment was subsequently ratified by
Connecticut, Montana, South Dakota, Ohio, Alabama. North Carolina, Illinois and Texas.
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Twenty-sixth Amendment
1. The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years
of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age.
2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
[28] The
Twenty-Sixth Amendment to the Constitution was proposed by the Ninety-Second Congress by Senate Joint Resolution
No. 7, which was approved by the Senate on March 10, 1971 and by the House of Representatives on March 23, 1971.
It was declared by the Administrator of General Services on July 5,
1971
to have been ratified by the
legislatures of 39 of the 50 States.
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Twenty-seventh Amendment
No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and
Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened.
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