(Preamble) We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic

Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our osterity, do ordain and establish this !onstitution for the United States of "merica# Article I Section 1 "ll legislative o$ers herein granted shall be vested in a !ongress of the United States, $hich shall consist of a Senate and %ouse of &epresentatives# Section 2 '( The %ouse of &epresentatives shall be composed of )embers chosen every second *ear by the numerous Branch of the State Legislature# -( .o erson shall be a &epresentative $ho shall not have attained to the "ge of t$enty five *ears, and eople of the several States, and the +lectors in each State shall have the ,ualifications requisite for +lectors of the most

been seven *ears a !iti/en of the United States, and $ho shall not, $hen elected, be an 0nhabitant of that State in $hich he shall be chosen# 1( &epresentatives and direct Ta2es shall be apportioned among the several States $hich may be included $ithin this Union, according to their respective .umbers, $hich shall be determined by adding to the $hole .umber of free ersons, including those bound to Service for a Term of *ears, and e2cluding 0ndians not ta2ed, three fifths of all other ersons#2 The actual +numeration shall be made $ithin three *ears after the first )eeting of the !ongress of the United States, and $ithin every subsequent Term often *ears, in such )anner as they shall by La$ direct# The .umber of &epresentatives shall not e2ceed one for every thirty Thousand, but each State shall have at Least one &epresentative3 and until such enumeration shall be made, the State of .e$ %ampshire shall be entitled to chuse three, )assachusetts eight, &hode40sland and lantations one, !onnecticut five, .e$4*or5 si2, .e$ Jersey four, ennsylvania eight, )aryland si2, 7irginia ten, .orth !arolina five, South !arolina five, and 8eorgia three# 9( When vacancies happen in the &epresentation from any State, the +2ecutive "uthority thereof shall issue Writs of +lection to fill such 7acancies# :( The %ouse of &epresentatives shall chuse their Spea5er and other Officers3 and shall have the sole of 0mpeachment# Section 3 '( The Senate of the United States shall be composed of t$o Senators from each State, chosen by the Legislature thereof,3 for si2 *ears3 and each Senator shall have one 7ote# o$er rovidence 6ela$are one,

-( 0mmediately after they shall be assembled in !onsequence of the first +lection, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three !lasses# The Seats of the Senators of the first !lass shall be vacated at the +2piration of the second *ear, of the second !lass at the +2piration of the fourth *ear, and of the third !lass at the +2piration of the si2th *ear, so that one third may be chosen every second *ear3 and if 7acancies happen by &esignation, or other$ise, during the &ecess of the Legislature of any State, the +2ecutive thereof may ma5e temporary "ppointments until the ne2t )eeting of the Legislature, $hich shall then fill such 7acancies# 4 1( .o erson shall be a Senator $ho shall not have attained to the "ge of thirty *ears, and been nine *ears a !iti/en of the United States, and $ho shall not, $hen elected, be an 0nhabitant of that State for $hich he shall be chosen# 9( The 7ice resident of the United States shall be resident of the Senate, but shall have no 7ote, unless they be equally divided# :( The Senate shall chuse their other Officers, and also a resident pro tempore, in the "bsence of the 7ice

resident, or $hen he shall e2ercise the Office of resident of the United States# ;( The Senate shall have the sole o$er to try all 0mpeachments# When sitting for that erson shall be convicted $ithout the !oncurrence of t$o thirds of the )embers present# <( Judgment in !ases of impeachment shall not e2tend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and en=oy any Office of honor, Trust or rofit under the United States( but the arty convicted shall nevertheless be liable and sub=ect to 0ndictment, Trial, Judgment and unishment, according to La$# Section 4 '( The Times, laces and )anner of holding +lections for Senators and &epresentatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof3 but the !ongress may at any time by La$ ma5e or alter such &egulations, e2cept as to the laces of chusing Senators# -( The !ongress shall assemble at least once in every *ear, and such )eeting shall be on the first )onday in 6ecember,5 unless they shall by La$ appoint a different 6ay# Section 5 '( +ach %ouse shall be the Judge of the +lections, &eturns and ,ualifications of its o$n )embers, and a )a=ority of each shall constitute a ,uorum to do Business3 but a smaller .umber may ad=ourn from day to day, and may be authori/ed to compel the "ttendance of absent )embers, in such )anner, and under such enalties as each %ouse may provide# -( +ach %ouse may determine the &ules of its roceedings, punish its )embers for disorderly Behaviour, and, $ith the !oncurrence of t$o thirds, e2pel a )ember# urpose, they shall be

on Oath or "ffirmation# When the resident of the United States is tried, the !hief Justice shall preside( "nd no

1( +ach %ouse shall 5eep a Journal of its roceedings, and from time to time publish the same, e2cepting such arts as may in their Judgment require Secrecy3 and the *eas and .ays of the )embers of either %ouse on any question shall, at the 6esire of one fifth of those resent, be entered on the Journal# 9( .either %ouse, during the Session of !ongress, shall, $ithout the !onsent of the other, ad=ourn for more than three days, nor to any other lace than that in $hich the t$o %ouses shall be sitting# Section 6 '( The Senators and &epresentatives shall receive a !ompensation for their Services, to be ascertained by La$, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States#6 They shall in all !ases, e2cept Treason, >elony and Breach of the eace, be privileged from "rrest during their "ttendance at the Session of their respective %ouses, and in going to and returning from the same3 and for any Speech or 6ebate in either %ouse, they shall not be questioned in any other lace# -( .o Senator or &epresentative shall, during the Time for $hich he $as elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the "uthority of the United States, $hich shall have been created, or the +moluments $hereof shall have been encreased during such time3 and no erson holding any Office under the United States, shall be a )ember of either %ouse during his !ontinuance in Office# Section 7 '( "ll Bills for raising &evenue shall originate in the %ouse of &epresentatives3 but the Senate may propose or concur $ith "mendments as on other Bills# -( +very Bill $hich shall have passed the %ouse of &epresentatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a La$, be presented to the resident of the United States3 0f he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, $ith his Ob=ections to that %ouse in $hich it shall have originated, $ho shall enter the Ob=ections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it# 0f after such &econsideration t$o thirds of that %ouse shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together $ith the Ob=ections, to the other %ouse, by $hich it shall li5e$ise be reconsidered, and if approved by t$o thirds of that %ouse, it shall become a La$# But in all such !ases the 7otes of both %ouses shall be determined by yeas and .ays, and the .ames of the ersons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each %ouse respectively# 0f any Bill shall not be returned by the resident $ithin ten 6ays ?Sundays e2cepted@ after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a La$, in li5e )anner as if he had signed it, unless the !ongress by their "d=ournment prevent its &eturn, in $hich !ase it shall not be a La$# 1( +very Order, &esolution, or 7ote to $hich the !oncurrence of the Senate and %ouse of &epresentatives may be necessary ?e2cept on a question of "d=ournment@ shall be presented to the resident of the United States3 and before the Same shall ta5e +ffect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by t$o thirds of the Senate and %ouse of &epresentatives, according to the &ules and Limitations prescribed in the !ase of a Bill# Section 8

'( The !ongress shall have o$er To lay and collect Ta2es, 6uties, 0mposts and +2cises, to pay the 6ebts and provide for the common 6efence and general Welfare of the United States3 but all 6uties, 0mposts and +2cises shall be uniform throughout the United States3 -( To borro$ )oney on the credit of the United States3 1( To regulate !ommerce $ith foreign .ations, and among the several States, and $ith the 0ndian Tribes3 9( To establish an uniform &ule of .aturali/ation, and uniform La$s on the sub=ect of Ban5ruptcies throughout the United States3 :( To coin )oney, regulate the 7alue thereof, and of foreign !oin, and fi2 the Standard of Weights and )easures3 ;( To provide for the unishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current !oin of the United States3 <( To establish ost Offices and post &oads3 A( To promote the rogress of Science and useful "rts, by securing for limited Times to "uthors and 0nventors the e2clusive &ight to their respective Writings and 6iscoveries3 B( To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme !ourt3 'C( To define and punish .ations3 ''( To declare War, grant Letters of )arque and &eprisal, and ma5e &ules concerning !aptures on Land and Water3 '-( To raise and support "rmies, but no "ppropriation of )oney to that Use shall be for a longer Term than t$o *ears3 '1( To provide and maintain a .avy3 '9( To ma5e &ules for the 8overnment and &egulation of the land and naval >orces3 ':( To provide for calling forth the )ilitia to e2ecute the La$s of the Union, suppress 0nsurrections and repel 0nvasions3 ';( To provide for organi/ing, arming, and disciplining, the )ilitia, and for governing such art of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the "ppointment of the Officers, and the "uthority of training the )ilitia according to the discipline prescribed by !ongress3 '<( To e2ercise e2clusive Legislation in all !ases $hatsoever, over such 6istrict ?not e2ceeding ten )iles square@ as may, by!ession of particular States, and the "cceptance of !ongress, become the Seat of the iracies and >elonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the La$ of

8overnment of the United States, and to e2ercise li5e "uthority over all laces purchased by the !onsent of the Legislature of the State in $hich the Same shall be, for the +rection of >orts, )aga/ines, "rsenals, doc54*ards, and other needful Buildings344"nd 'A( To ma5e all La$s $hich shall be necessary and proper for carrying into +2ecution the foregoing and all other or Officer thereof# Section 9 '( The )igration or 0mportation of such ersons as any of the States no$ e2isting shall thin5 proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the !ongress prior to the *ear one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a Ta2 or duty may be imposed on such 0mportation, not e2ceeding ten dollars for each erson# -( The rivilege of the Writ of %abeas !orpus shall not be suspended, unless $hen in !ases of &ebellion or o$ers,

o$ers vested by this !onstitution in the 8overnment of the United States, or in any 6epartment

0nvasion the public Safety may require it# 1( .o Bill of "ttainder or e2 post facto La$ shall be passed# 9( .o !apitation, or other direct, Ta2 shall be laid, unless in before directed to be ta5en#
7

roportion to the !ensus or +numeration herein

:( .o Ta2 or 6uty shall be laid on "rticles e2ported from any State# ;( .o another# <( .o )oney shall be dra$n from the Treasury, but in !onsequence of "ppropriations made by La$3 and a regular Statement and "ccount of the &eceipts and +2penditures of all public )oney shall be published from time to time# A( .o Title of .obility shall be granted by the United States( "nd no erson holding any Office of rofit or Trust under them, shall, $ithout the !onsent of the !ongress, accept of any present, +molument, Office, or Title, of any 5ind $hatever, from any Ding, rince, or foreign State# Section 10 '( .o State shall enter into any Treaty, "lliance, or !onfederation3 grant Letters of )arque and &eprisal3 coin )oney3 emit Bills of !redit3 ma5e any Thing but gold and silver !oin a Tender in .obility# -( .o State shall, $ithout the !onsent of the !ongress, lay any 0mposts or 6uties on 0mports or +2ports, e2cept $hat may be absolutely necessary for e2ecuting itEs inspection La$s( and the net roduce of ayment of 6ebts3 pass any Bill of "ttainder, e2 post facto La$, or La$ impairing the Obligation of !ontracts, or grant any Title of reference shall be given by any &egulation of !ommerce or &evenue to the orts of one State over

those of another( nor shall 7essels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay 6uties in

all 6uties and 0mposts, laid by any State on 0mports or +2ports, shall be for the Use of the Treasury of the United States3 and all such La$s shall be sub=ect to the &evision and !ontroul of the !ongress# 1( .o State shall, $ithout the !onsent of !ongress, lay any 6uty of Tonnage, 5eep Troops, or Ships of War in time of eace, enter into any "greement or !ompact $ith another State, or $ith a foreign War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent 6anger as $ill not admit of delay# Article II Section 1 '( The e2ecutive o$er shall be vested in a resident of the United States of "merica# %e shall hold his Office during the Term of four *ears, and, together $ith the 7ice resident, chosen for the same Term, be elected, as follo$s -( +ach State shall appoint, in such )anner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a .umber of +lectors, equal to the $hole .umber of Senators and &epresentatives to $hich the State may be entitled in the !ongress( but no Senator or &epresentative, or appointed an +lector# 1( The +lectors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by Ballot for t$o ersons, of $hom one at least ersons erson holding an Office of Trust or rofit under the United States, shall be o$er, or engage in

shall not be an 0nhabitant of the same State $ith themselves# "nd they shall ma5e a List of all the Seat of the 8overnment of the United States, directed to the Senate shall, in the 7otes shall then be counted# The resident of the Senate# The

voted for, and of the .umber of 7otes for each3 $hich List they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the resident of the resident, if such resence of the Senate and %ouse of &epresentatives, open all the !ertificates, and the erson having the greatest .umber of 7otes shall be the

.umber be a )a=ority of the $hole .umber of +lectors appointed3 and if there be more than one $ho have such )a=ority, and have an equal .umber of 7otes, then the %ouse of &epresentatives shall immediately chuse by Ballot one of them for resident3 and if no erson have a )a=ority, then from the five highest on the List the said %ouse shall in li5e )anner chuse the resident# But in chusing the resident, the 7otes shall be ta5en by urpose shall consist of a States, the &epresentation from each State having one 7ote3 " quorum for this !hoice# 0n every !ase, after the !hoice of the the +lectors shall be the 7ice resident, the

)ember or )embers from t$o thirds of the States, and a )a=ority of all the States shall be necessary to a erson having the greatest .umber of 7otes of resident# But if there should remain t$o or more $ho have equal 7otes, the

Senate shall chuse from them by Ballot the 7ice resident#8 9( The !ongress may determine the Time of chusing the +lectors, and the 6ay on $hich they shall give their 7otes3 $hich 6ay shall be the same throughout the United States# :( .o erson e2cept a natural born !iti/en, or a !iti/en of the United States, at the time of the "doption of this !onstitution, shall be eligible to the Office of resident3 neither shall any erson be eligible to that Office $ho

shall not have attained to the "ge ofthirty five *ears, and been fourteen *ears a &esident $ithin the United States# ;( 0n !ase of the &emoval of the resident from Office, or of his 6eath, &esignation, or 0nability to discharge resident and 7ice

the o$ers and 6utiesof the said Office,9 the Same shall devolve on the 7ice resident, and the !ongress may by La$ provide for the !ase of &emoval, 6eath, &esignation or 0nability, both of the resident, declaring $hat Officer shall then act as 6isability be removed, or a resident shall be elected# <( The resident shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a !ompensation, $hich shall neither eriod for $hich he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive resident, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until the

be encreased nor diminished during the

$ithin that eriod any other +molument from the United States, or any of them# A( Before he enter on the +2ecution of his Office, he shall ta5e the follo$ing Oath or "ffirmation(44F0 do solemnly s$ear ?or affirm@ that 0 $ill faithfully e2ecute the Office of resident of the United States, and $ill to the best of my "bility, preserve, protect and defend the !onstitution of the United States#G Section 2 '( The resident shall be !ommander in !hief of the "rmy and .avy of the United States, and of the )ilitia of the several States, $hen called into the actual Service of the United States3 he may require the Opinion, in $riting, of the principal Officer in each of the e2ecutive 6epartments, upon any Sub=ect relating to the 6uties of their respective Offices, and he shall have o$er to grant &eprieves and ardons for Offences against the United States, e2cept in !ases of 0mpeachment# -( %e shall have o$er, by and $ith the "dvice and !onsent of the Senate, to ma5e Treaties, provided t$o

thirds of the Senators present concur3 and he shall nominate, and by and $ith the "dvice and !onsent of the Senate, shall appoint "mbassadors, other public )inisters and !onsuls, Judges of the supreme !ourt, and all other Officers of the United States, $hose "ppointments are not herein other$ise provided for, and $hich shall be established by La$( but the !ongress may by La$ vest the "ppointment of such inferior Officers, as they thin5 proper, in the resident alone, in the !ourts of La$, or in the %eads of 6epartments# 1( The resident shall have o$er to fill up all 7acancies that may happen during the &ecess of the Senate, by granting !ommissions $hich shall e2pire at the +nd of their ne2t Session# Section 3 %e shall from time to time give to the !ongress 0nformation of the State of the Union, and recommend to their !onsideration such )easures as he shall =udge necessary and e2pedient3 he may, on e2traordinary Occasions, convene both %ouses, or either of them, and in !ase of 6isagreement bet$een them, $ith &espect to the Time of "d=ournment, he may ad=ourn them to such Time as he shall thin5 proper3 he shall receive "mbassadors and other public )inisters3 he shall ta5e !are that the La$s be faithfully e2ecuted, and shall !ommission all the Officers of the United States#

Section 4 The resident, 7ice resident and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on 0mpeachment for, and !onviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high !rimes and )isdemeanors# Article III Section 1 The =udicial o$er of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme !ourt, and in such inferior !ourts as the !ongress may from time to time ordain and establish# The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior !ourts, shall hold their Offices during goodBehaviour, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services, a !ompensati'on, $hich shall not be diminished during their !ontinuance in Office# Section 2 '( The =udicial o$er shall e2tend to all !ases, in La$ and +quity, arising under this !onstitution, the La$s of the United States, and Treaties made, or $hich shall be made, under their "uthority344to all !ases affecting "mbassadors, other public )inisters and !onsuls344to all !ases of admiralty and maritime Jurisdiction344to !ontroversies to $hich the United States shall be a bet$een a State and !iti/ens of another State3 and foreign States, !iti/ens or Sub=ects# -( 0n all !ases affecting "mbassadors, other public )inisters and !onsuls, and those in $hich a State shall be arty, the supreme !ourt shall have original Jurisdiction# 0n all the other !ases before mentioned, the supreme !ourt shall have appellateJurisdiction, both as to La$ and >act, $ith such +2ceptions, and under such &egulations as the !ongress shall ma5e# 1( The Trial of all !rimes, e2cept in !ases of 0mpeachment, shall be by Jury3 and such Trial shall be held in the State $here the said !rimes shall have been committed3 but $hen not committed $ithin any State, the Trial shall be at such lace or laces as the !ongress may by La$ have directed# Section 3 '( Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their +nemies, giving them "id and !omfort# .o erson shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of t$o Witnesses to the same overt "ct, or on !onfession in open !ourt# -( The !ongress shall have o$er to declare the unishment of Treason, but no "ttainder of Treason shall
10

arty344to !ontroversies bet$een t$o or more States344

44bet$een !iti/ens of different States, 44bet$een !iti/ens of

the same State claiming Lands under 8rants of different States, and bet$een a State, or the !iti/ens thereof,

$or5 !orruption of Blood, or >orfeiture e2cept during the Life of the erson attainted# Article IV Section 1

>ull >aith and !redit shall be given in each State to the public "cts, &ecords, and =udicial roceedings of every other State# "nd the !ongress may by general La$s prescribe the )anner in $hich such "cts, &ecords and roceedings shall be proved, and the +ffect thereof# Section 2 '( The !iti/ens of each State shall be entitled to all rivileges and 0mmunities of !iti/ens in the several States# -( " erson charged in any State $ith Treason, >elony, or other !rime, $ho shall flee from Justice, and be found in another State, shall on 6emand of the e2ecutive "uthority of the State from $hich he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the State havingJurisdiction of the !rime# 1( .o erson held to Service or Labour in one State, under the La$s thereof, escaping into another, shall, in

!onsequence of any La$ or &egulation therein, be discharged from such Service or Labour, but shall be delivered up on !laim of the arty to $hom such Service or Labour may be due# 11 Section 3 '( .e$ States may be admitted by the !ongress into this Union3 but no ne$ State shall be formed or erected $ithin the Jurisdictionof any other State3 nor any State be formed by the Junction of t$o or more States, or arts of States, $ithout the !onsent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as $ell as of the !ongress# -( The !ongress shall have o$er to dispose of and ma5e all needful &ules and &egulations respecting the

Territory or other roperty belonging to the United States3 and nothing in this !onstitution shall be so construed as to re=udice any !laims of the United States, or of any particular State# Section 4 The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a &epublican >orm of 8overnment, and shall protect each of them against 0nvasion3 and on "pplication of the Legislature, or of the +2ecutive ?$hen the Legislature cannot be convened@ against domestic 7iolence# Article V The !ongress, $henever t$o thirds of both %ouses shall deem it necessary, shall propose "mendments to this !onstitution, or, on the "pplication of the Legislatures of t$o thirds of the several States, shall call a !onvention for proposing "mendments, $hich, in either !ase, shall be valid to all 0ntents and urposes, as art of this !onstitution, $hen ratified by the Legislatures of three fourthsof the several States, or by !onventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other )ode of &atification may be proposed by the !ongress3 rovided that no "mendment $hich may be made prior to the *ear One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any )anner affect the first and fourth !lauses in the .inth Section of the first "rticle3 and that no State, $ithout its !onsent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate# Article VI '( "ll 6ebts contracted and +ngagements entered into, before the "doption of this !onstitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this !onstitution, as under the !onfederation#

-( This !onstitution, and the La$s of the United States $hich shall be made in

ursuance thereof3 and all

Treaties made, or $hich shall be made, under the "uthority of the United States, shall be the supreme La$ of the Land3 and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the !onstitution or La$s of any State to the !ontrary not$ithstanding# 1( The Senators and &epresentatives before mentioned, and the )embers of the several State Legislatures, and all e2ecutive and =udicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or "ffirmation, to support this !onstitution3 but no religious Test shall ever be required as a ,ualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States# Article VII The &atification of the !onventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the +stablishment of this !onstitution bet$een the States so ratifying the Same#

6one in !onvention by the Unanimous !onsent of the States present the Seventeenth 6ay of September in the *ear of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and +ighty seven and of the 0ndependence of the United States of "merica the T$elfth# 0n Witness $hereof We have hereunto subscribed our .ames# .ote 8eorge Washington 4 resident and deputy from 7irginia .e$ %ampshire 4 John Langdon, .icholas 8ilman )assachusetts 4 .athaniel 8orham, &ufus Ding !onnecticut 4 Wm Saml Johnson, &oger Sherman .e$ *or5 4 "le2ander %amilton .e$ Jersey 4 Wil Livingston, 6avid Brearley, Wm aterson, Jona# 6ayton ensylvania 4 B >ran5lin, Thomas )ifflin, &obt )orris, 8eo# !lymer, Thos >it/Simons, Jared 0ngersoll, James Wilson, 8ouv )orris 6ela$are 4 8eo# &ead, 8unning Bedford =un, John 6ic5inson, &ichard Bassett, Jaco# Broom )aryland 4 James )c%enry, 6an of St Tho Jenifer, 6anl !arroll 7irginia 4 John Blair, James )adison Jr# .orth !arolina 4 Wm Blount, &ichd 6obbs Spaight, %u Williamson South !arolina 4 J# &utledge, !harles !otes$orth inc5ney, !harles inc5ney, ierce Butler

8eorgia 4 William >e$, "br Bald$in "ttest( William Jac5son, Secretary

"mendments to the !onstitution Amendments I to are !no"n as Bill of Rights.

Amendment 1 # $reedom o% &eli'ion( Press( )*+ression, &ati%ied 12-15-1791, !ongress shall ma5e no la$ respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free e2ercise thereof3 or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press3 or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the 8overnment for a redress of grievances#

Amendment 2 # &i'.t to /ear Arms, &ati%ied 12-15-1791, " $ell regulated )ilitia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to 5eep and bear "rms, shall not be infringed#

Amendment 3 # 01arterin' o% Soldiers, &ati%ied 12-15-1791, .o Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, $ithout the consent of the O$ner, nor in time of $ar, but in a manner to be prescribed by la$#

Amendment 4 # Searc. and Sei21re, &ati%ied 12-15-1791, The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and sei/ures, 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 sei/ed#

Amendment 5 # 3rial and P1nis.ment( 4om+ensation %or 3a!in's, &ati%ied 12-15-1791, .o person shall be held to ans$er for a capital, or other$ise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a 8rand Jury, e2cept in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the )ilitia, $hen in actual service in time of War or public danger3 nor shall any person be sub=ect for the same offense to be t$ice put in =eopardy of life or limb3 nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a $itness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, $ithout due process of la$3 nor shall private property be ta5en for public use, $ithout =ust compensation#

Amendment 6 # &i'.t to S+eed5 3rial( 4on%rontation o% 6itnesses, &ati%ied 12-15-1791,

0n all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall en=oy the right to a speedy and public trial, by animpartial =ury of the State and district $herein the crime shall have been committed, $hich district shall have been previously ascertained by la$, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation3 to be confronted $ith the $itnesses against him3 to have compulsory process for obtaining $itnesses in his favor, and to have the "ssistance of !ounsel for his defence#

Amendment 7 # 3rial b5 71r5 in 4i8il 4ases, &ati%ied 12-15-1791, 0n Suits at common la$, $here the value in controversy shall e2ceed t$enty dollars, the right of trial by =ury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a =ury, shall be other$ise re4e2amined in any !ourt of the United States, than according to the rules of the common la$#

Amendment 8 # 4r1el and 9n1s1al P1nis.ment, &ati%ied 12-15-1791, +2cessive bail shall not be required, nor e2cessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted#

Amendment 9 # 4onstr1ction o% 4onstit1tion, &ati%ied 12-15-1791, The enumeration in the !onstitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people#

Amendment 10 # Po"ers o% t.e States and Peo+le, &ati%ied 12-15-1791, The po$ers not delegated to the United States by the !onstitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people#

Amendment 11 # 71dicial :imits, &ati%ied 2-7-1795, The Judicial po$er of the United States shall not be construed to e2tend to any suit in la$ or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by !iti/ens of another State, or by !iti/ens or Sub=ects of any >oreign State#

Amendment 12 # 4.oosin' t.e President( Vice#President, &ati%ied 6-15-1804, The +lectors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by ballot for resident and 7ice4 resident, one of $hom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state $ith themselves3 they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as resident, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as 7ice4 resident, and they shall ma5e distinct lists of all persons voted for as resident, and of all persons voted for as 7ice4 resident and of the number of votes for each, $hich lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the resident of the Senate3 The resident of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and %ouse of &epresentatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted3

The person having the greatest .umber of votes for resident, shall be the resident, if such number be a ma=ority of the $hole number of +lectors appointed3 and if no person have such ma=ority, then from the persons having the highest numbers not e2ceeding three on the list of those voted for as resident, the %ouse of &epresentatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the resident# But in choosing the resident, the votes shall be ta5en by states, the representation from each state having one vote3 a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from t$o4thirds of the states, and a ma=ority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice# "nd if the %ouse of &epresentatives shall not choose a resident $henever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of )arch ne2t follo$ing, then the 7ice4 resident shall act as resident, as in the case of the death or other constitutional disability of the resident# The person having the greatest number of votes as 7ice4 resident, shall be the 7ice4 resident, if such number be a ma=ority of the $hole number of +lectors appointed, and if no person have a ma=ority, then from the t$o highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the 7ice4 resident3 a quorum for the purpose shall consist of t$o4thirds of the $hole number of Senators, and a ma=ority of the $hole number shall be necessary to a choice# But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of resident shall be eligible to that of 7ice4 resident of the United States#

Amendment 13 # Sla8er5 Abolis.ed, &ati%ied 12-6-1865, '# .either slavery nor involuntary servitude, e2cept as a punishment for crime $hereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall e2ist $ithin the United States, or any place sub=ect to their=urisdiction# -# !ongress shall have po$er to enforce this article by appropriate legislation#

Amendment 14 # 4iti2ens.i+ &i'.ts, &ati%ied 7-9-1868, '# "ll persons born or naturali/ed in the United States, and sub=ect to the =urisdiction thereof, are citi/ens of the United States and of the State $herein they reside# .o State shall ma5e or enforce any la$ $hich shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citi/ens of the United States3 nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, $ithout due process of la$3 nor deny to any person $ithin its =urisdiction the equal protection of the la$s# -# &epresentatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the $hole number of persons in each State, e2cluding 0ndians not ta2ed# But $hen the right to vote at any election for the choice of electors for resident and 7ice4 resident of the United States, &epresentatives in !ongress, the +2ecutive and Judicial officers of a State, or the members of the Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the male inhabitants of such State, being t$enty4one years of age, and citi/ens of the United States, or in any $ay abridged, e2cept for participation in rebellion, or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion $hich the number of such male citi/ens shall bear to the $hole number of male citi/ens t$enty4one years of age in such State# 1# .o person shall be a Senator or &epresentative in !ongress, or elector of resident and 7ice4 resident, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, $ho, having previously ta5en an oath, as a member of !ongress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an e2ecutive or =udicial officer of any State, to support the !onstitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof# But !ongress may by a vote of t$o4thirds of each %ouse, remove such disability#

9# The validity of the public debt of the United States, authori/ed by la$, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned# But neither the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave3 but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void# :# The !ongress shall have po$er to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article#

Amendment 15 # &ace ;o /ar to Vote, &ati%ied 2-3-1870, '# The right of citi/ens 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# -# The !ongress shall have po$er to enforce this article by appropriate legislation#

Amendment 16 # Stat1s o% Income 3a* 4lari%ied, &ati%ied 2-3-1913, The !ongress shall have po$er to lay and collect ta2es on incomes, from $hatever source derived, $ithout apportionment among the several States, and $ithout regard to any census orenumeration#

Amendment 17 # Senators )lected b5 Po+1lar Vote, &ati%ied 4-8-1913, The Senate of the United States shall be composed of t$o Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for si2 years3 and each Senator shall have one vote# The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures# When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the e2ecutive authority of such State shall issue $rits of election to fill such vacancies( rovided, That the legislature of any State may empo$er the e2ecutive thereof to ma5e 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 !onstitution#

Amendment 18 # :i<1or Abolis.ed, &ati%ied 1-16-1919, &e+ealed b5 Amendment 21( 12-5-1933, '# "fter one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of into2icating liquors $ithin, the importation thereof into, or the e2portation thereof from the United States and all territory sub=ect to the =urisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited# -# The !ongress and the several States shall have concurrent po$er to enforce this article by appropriate legislation# 1# This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the !onstitution by the legislatures of the several States, as provided in the !onstitution, $ithin seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the !ongress#

Amendment 19 # 6omen=s S1%%ra'e, &ati%ied 8-18-1920, The right of citi/ens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of se2# !ongress shall have po$er to enforce this article by appropriate legislation#

Amendment 20 # Presidential( 4on'ressional 3erms, &ati%ied 1-23-1933, '# The terms of the resident and 7ice resident shall end at noon on the -Cth day of January, and the terms of Senators and &epresentatives at noon on the 1d day of January, of the years in $hich such terms $ould have ended if this article had not been ratified3 and the terms of their successors shall then begin# -# The !ongress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall begin at noon on the 1d day of January, unless they shall by la$ appoint a different day# 1# 0f, at the time fi2ed for the beginning of the term of the resident, the resident elect shall have died, the 7ice resident elect shall become resident# 0f a resident shall not have been chosen before the time fi2ed for the beginning of his term, or if the resident elect shall have failed to qualify, then the 7ice resident elect shall act as resident until a resident shall have qualified3 and the !ongress may by la$ provide for the case $herein neither a resident elect nor a 7ice resident elect shall have qualified, declaring $ho shall then act as resident, or the manner in $hich one $ho is to act shall be selected, and such person shall act accordingly until a resident or 7ice resident shall have qualified# 9# The !ongress may by la$ provide for the case of the death of any of the persons from $hom the %ouse of &epresentatives may choose a resident $henever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them, and for the case of the death of any of the persons from $hom the Senate may choose a 7ice resident $henever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them# :# Sections ' and - shall ta5e effect on the ':th day of October follo$ing the ratification of this article# ;# This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the !onstitution by the legislatures of three4fourths of the several States $ithin seven years from the date of its submission#

Amendment 21 # Amendment 18 &e+ealed, &ati%ied 12-5-1933, '# The eighteenth article of amendment to the !onstitution of the United States is hereby repealed# -# The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of into2icating liquors, in violation of the la$s thereof, is hereby prohibited# 1# The article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the !onstitution by conventions in the several States, as provided in the !onstitution, $ithin seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the !ongress#

Amendment 22 # Presidential 3erm :imits, &ati%ied 2-27-1951, '# .o person shall be elected to the office of the resident more than t$ice, and no person $ho has held the office of resident, or acted as resident, for more than t$o years of a term to $hich some other person $as elected resident shall be elected to the office of the resident more than once# But this "rticle shall not apply to any person holding the office of resident, $hen this "rticle $as proposed by the !ongress, and shall not prevent any person $ho may be holding the office of resident, or acting as resident, during the term $ithin $hich this "rticle becomes operative from holding the office of resident or acting as resident during the remainder of such term# -# This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the !onstitution by the legislatures of three4fourths of the several States $ithin seven years from the date of its submission to the States by the !ongress#

Amendment 23 # Presidential Vote %or >istrict o% 4ol1mbia, &ati%ied 3-29-1961, '# The 6istrict constituting the seat of 8overnment of the United States shall appoint in such manner as the !ongress may direct( " number of electors of resident and 7ice resident equal to the $hole number of Senators and &epresentatives in !ongress to $hich the 6istrict $ould be entitled if it $ere a State, but in no event more than the least populous State3 they shall be in addition to those appointed by the States, but they shall be considered, for the purposes of the election of resident and 7ice resident, to be electors appointed by a State3 and they shall meet in the 6istrict and perform such duties as provided by the t$elfth article of amendment# -# The !ongress shall have po$er to enforce this article by appropriate legislation#

Amendment 24 # Poll 3a* /arred, &ati%ied 1-23-1964, '# The right of citi/ens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for resident or 7ice resident, for electors for resident or 7ice resident, or for Senator or &epresentative in !ongress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State by reason of failure to pay any poll ta2 or other ta2# -# The !ongress shall have po$er to enforce this article by appropriate legislation#

Amendment 25 # Presidential >isabilit5 and S1ccession, &ati%ied 2-10-1967, '# 0n case of the removal of the resident from office or of his death or resignation, the 7ice resident shall become resident# -# Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the 7ice resident, the resident shall nominate a 7ice resident $ho shall ta5e office upon confirmation by a ma=ority vote of both %ouses of !ongress# 1# Whenever the resident transmits to the resident pro tempore of the Senate and the Spea5er of the %ouse of &epresentatives his $ritten declaration that he is unable to discharge the po$ers and duties of his office, and until he transmits to them a $ritten declaration to the contrary, such po$ers and duties shall be discharged by the 7ice resident as "cting resident#

9# Whenever the 7ice resident and a ma=ority of either the principal officers of the e2ecutive departments or of such other body as !ongress may by la$ provide, transmit to the resident pro tempore of the Senate and the Spea5er of the %ouse of &epresentatives their $ritten declaration that the resident is unable to discharge the po$ers and duties of his office, the 7ice resident shall immediately assume the po$ers and duties of the office as "cting resident# Thereafter, $hen the resident transmits to the resident pro tempore of the Senate and the Spea5er of the %ouse of &epresentatives his $ritten declaration that no inability e2ists, he shall resume the po$ers and duties of his office unless the 7ice resident and a ma=ority of either the principal officers of the e2ecutive department or of such other body as !ongress may by la$ provide, transmit $ithin four days to the resident pro tempore of the Senate and the Spea5er of the %ouse of &epresentatives their $ritten declaration that the resident is unable to discharge the po$ers and duties of his office# Thereupon !ongress shall decide the issue, assembling $ithin forty eight hours for that purpose if not in session# 0f the !ongress, $ithin t$enty one days after receipt of the latter $ritten declaration, or, if !ongress is not in session, $ithin t$enty one days after !ongress is required to assemble, determines by t$o thirds vote of both %ouses that the resident is unable to discharge the po$ers and duties of his office, the 7ice resident shall continue to discharge the same as "cting resident3 other$ise, the resident shall resume the po$ers and duties of his office#

Amendment 26 # Votin' A'e Set to 18 ?ears, &ati%ied 7-1-1971, '# The right of citi/ens of the United States, $ho are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age# -# The !ongress shall have po$er to enforce this article by appropriate legislation#

Amendment 27 # :imitin' 4.an'es to 4on'ressional Pa5, &ati%ied 5-7-1992, .o la$, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and &epresentatives, shall ta5e effect, until an election of &epresentatives shall have intervened#