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Provided by USConstitution.net
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[Note: Repealed text is not noted in this version. Spelling errors have been
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corrected in this version. For an uncorrected, annotated version of the
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Constitution, visit http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html ]
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We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union,
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establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common
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defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to
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ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the
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United States of America.
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Article 1.
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Section 1
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All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the
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United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.
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Section 2
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The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second
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Year by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall
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have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of
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the State Legislature.
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No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the Age of
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twenty five Years, and been seven Years a Citizen of the United States, and who
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shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be
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chosen.
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Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States
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which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers,
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which shall be 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 excluding Indians not
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taxed, three fifths of all other Persons.
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The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting
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of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten
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Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct. The Number of
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Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty Thousand, but each State
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shall have at Least one Representative; and until such enumeration shall be
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made, the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to choose three,
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Massachusetts eight, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations one, Connecticut
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five, New York six, New Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland
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six, Virginia ten, North Carolina five, South Carolina five and Georgia three.
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When vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, the Executive
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Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies.
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The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and other Officers; and
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shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.
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Section 3
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The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each
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State, chosen by the Legislature thereof, for six Years; and each Senator shall
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have one Vote.
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Immediately after they shall be assembled in Consequence of the first Election,
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they shall be divided as equally as may be into three Classes. The Seats of the
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Senators of the 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 Year, and of the
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third Class at the Expiration of the sixth Year, so that one third may be
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chosen every second Year; and if Vacancies happen by Resignation, or otherwise,
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during the Recess of the Legislature of any State, the Executive thereof may
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make temporary Appointments until the next Meeting of the Legislature, which
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shall then fill such Vacancies.
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No person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty
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Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not,
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when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen.
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The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but
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shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.
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The Senate shall choose their other Officers, and also a President pro tempore,
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in the absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the Office of
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President of the United States.
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The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for
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that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the
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United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be
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convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present.
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Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from
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Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or
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Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be
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liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to
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Law.
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Section 4
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The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and
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Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof;
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but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except
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as to the Place of Choosing Senators.
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The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year, and such Meeting shall
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be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by Law appoint a
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different Day.
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Section 5
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Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of
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its own Members, and a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do
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Business; 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 such Manner, and
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under such Penalties as each House may provide.
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Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for
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disorderly Behavior, and, with the Concurrence of two-thirds, expel a Member.
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Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to time
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publish the same, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgment require
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Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays of the Members of either House on any question
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shall, at the Desire of one fifth of those Present, be entered on the Journal.
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Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, without the Consent of
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the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other Place than that
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in which the two Houses shall be sitting.
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Section 6
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The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their
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Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United
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States. They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the
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Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of
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their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for
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any Speech or Debate in 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 which he was elected,
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be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States which
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shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been increased
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during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the United States,
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shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office.
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Section 7
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All bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives;
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but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.
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Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate,
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shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United
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States; If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his
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Objections to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the
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Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after
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such Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it
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shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by which it
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shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, it
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shall become a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be
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determined by Yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and
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against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each House respectively. If
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any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays
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excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law,
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in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournment
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prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law.
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Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence of the Senate and
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House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of Adjournment)
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shall be presented to the President of the United States; and before the Same
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shall take Effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall
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be repassed by two thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, according
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to the Rules and Limitations prescribed in the Case of a Bill.
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Section 8
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The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and
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Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general
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Welfare of the 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 several States, and
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with the Indian Tribes;
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To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject
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of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;
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To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the
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Standard of Weights and Measures;
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To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin
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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 securing for limited
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Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings
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and 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 high Seas, and
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Offenses against the Law of Nations;
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To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning
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Captures on Land and Water;
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To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be
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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 and naval Forces;
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To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union,
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suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;
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To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the Militia, and for
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governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United
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States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers,
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and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline
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prescribed by Congress;
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To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District
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(not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and
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the acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United
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States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent
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of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of
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Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings; And
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To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into
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Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this
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Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or
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Officer thereof.
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Section 9
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The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States now existing
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shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to
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the Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a tax or duty may be imposed
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on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person.
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The privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when
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in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the 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 Proportion to the
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Census or Enumeration herein before directed to be taken.
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No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State.
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No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce or Revenue to the
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Ports of one State over those of another: nor shall Vessels bound to, or from,
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one State, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay Duties in another.
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No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations
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made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and
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Expenditures of 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: And no Person
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holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of
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the Congress, accept of 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
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No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters
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of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but
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gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder,
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ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any
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Title of Nobility.
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No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay any Imposts or Duties
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on Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing
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its inspection Laws: and the net Produce of all Duties and Imposts, laid by
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any State on Imports or Exports, shall be for the Use of the Treasury of the
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United States; and all such Laws shall be subject to the Revision and Control
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of the Congress.
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No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any duty of Tonnage, keep
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Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact
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with another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually
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invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.
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Article 2.
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Section 1
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The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of
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America. He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, and, together
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with the Vice-President chosen for the same Term, be elected, as follows:
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Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct,
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a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives
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to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or
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Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United
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States, shall be appointed an Elector.
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The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by Ballot for two
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persons, of whom one at least shall not lie an Inhabitant of the same State
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with themselves. And they shall make a List of all the Persons voted for, and
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of the Number of Votes for each; which List they shall sign and certify, and
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transmit sealed to the Seat of the Government of the United States, directed to
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the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in the Presence
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of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the Certificates, and the
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Votes shall then be counted. The Person having the greatest Number of Votes
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shall be the President, if such Number be a Majority of the whole Number of
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Electors appointed; and if there be more than one who have such Majority, and
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have an equal Number of Votes, then the House of Representatives shall
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immediately choose by Ballot one of them for President; and if no Person have a
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Majority, then from the five highest on the List the said House shall in like
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Manner choose the President. But in choosing the President, the Votes shall be
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taken by States, the Representation from each State having one Vote; a quorum
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for this Purpose shall consist of a Member or Members from two-thirds of the
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States, and a Majority of all the States shall be necessary to a Choice. In
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every Case, after the Choice of the President, the Person having the greatest
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Number of Votes of the Electors shall be the Vice President. But if there
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should remain two or more who have equal Votes, the Senate shall choose from
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them by Ballot the Vice-President.
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The Congress may determine the Time of choosing the Electors, and the Day on
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which they shall give their Votes; which Day shall be the same throughout the
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United States.
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No person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at
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|
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the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office
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of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not
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have attained to the Age of thirty-five Years, and been fourteen Years a
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Resident within the United States.
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In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of his Death,
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Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said
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Office, the same shall devolve on the Vice President, and the Congress may by
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Law provide for the Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of
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the President and Vice President, declaring what Officer shall then act as
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President, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until the Disability be
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removed, or a President shall be elected.
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The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a Compensation,
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which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the Period for which he
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shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within that Period any other
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Emolument from the United States, or any of them.
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Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following
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Oath or Affirmation:
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"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of
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President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve,
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protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
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Section 2
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The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United
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States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual
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Service of the United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the
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principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any subject
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relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to
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Grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States, except in
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Cases of Impeachment.
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He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make
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Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall
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nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint
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|
Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court,
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|
and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein
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|
otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress
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may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think
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proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of
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Departments.
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The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during
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the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End
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of their next Session.
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Section 3
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He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the
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|
Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge
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|
|
necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both
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|
Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with
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|
Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he
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|
shall think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he
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|
shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all
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|
the Officers of the United States.
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Section 4
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The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States,
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|
shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason,
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|
Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.
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Article 3.
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Section 1
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The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court,
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and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and
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|
establish. The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold
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|
their Offices during good Behavior, and shall, at stated Times, receive for
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|
|
their Services a Compensation which shall not be diminished during their
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|
Continuance in Office.
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Section 2
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|
The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and Equity, arising under
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|
|
this Constitution, the Laws of the United States, and Treaties made, or which
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|
|
shall be made, under their Authority; to all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other
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|
|
public Ministers and Consuls; to all Cases of admiralty and maritime
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|
|
Jurisdiction; to Controversies to which the United States shall be a Party; to
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|
Controversies between two or more States; between a State and Citizens of
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|
|
another State; between Citizens of different States; between Citizens of the
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|
|
same State claiming Lands under Grants of different States, and between a
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|
|
State, or the Citizens thereof, and foreign States, Citizens or Subjects.
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|
In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and
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|
|
those in which a State shall be Party, the supreme Court shall have original
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|
|
Jurisdiction. In all the other Cases before mentioned, the supreme Court shall
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|
|
have appellate Jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions, and
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|
|
under such Regulations as the Congress shall make.
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|
The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment, shall be by Jury; and
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|
|
such Trial shall be held in the State where the said Crimes shall have been
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|
|
committed; but when not committed within any State, the Trial shall be at such
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|
|
Place or Places as the Congress may by Law have directed.
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Section 3
|
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|
|
Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against
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|
|
them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person
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|
|
|
|
shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the
|
|
|
|
|
same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.
|
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|
The Congress shall have power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no
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|
|
Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except
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|
|
during the Life of the Person attainted.
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|
Article 4.
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Section 1
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|
|
Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records,
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|
|
and judicial Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general
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|
|
Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be
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|
|
proved, and the Effect thereof.
|
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|
Section 2
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|
|
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities
|
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|
|
|
of Citizens in the several States.
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|
|
A Person charged in any State with Treason, Felony, or other Crime, who shall
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|
|
flee from Justice, and be found in another State, shall on demand of the
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|
|
executive Authority of the State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be
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|
|
removed to the State having Jurisdiction of the Crime.
|
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|
No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, under the Laws thereof,
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|
|
escaping into another, shall, in Consequence of any Law or Regulation therein,
|
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|
|
be discharged from such Service or Labour, But shall be delivered up on Claim
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|
|
of the Party to whom such Service or Labour may be due.
|
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|
Section 3
|
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|
|
New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new States
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|
|
shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any
|
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|
|
State be formed by the Junction of two or more States, or parts of States,
|
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|
|
|
without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of
|
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|
|
the Congress.
|
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|
|
The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and
|
|
|
|
|
Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United
|
|
|
|
|
States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice
|
|
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|
|
any Claims of the United States, or of any particular State.
|
|
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|
|
Section 4
|
|
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|
|
The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican
|
|
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|
|
Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on
|
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|
|
|
Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature
|
|
|
|
|
cannot be convened) against domestic Violence.
|
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|
Article 5.
|
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|
|
The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall
|
|
|
|
|
propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the
|
|
|
|
|
Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for
|
|
|
|
|
proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and
|
|
|
|
|
Purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of
|
|
|
|
|
three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths
|
|
|
|
|
thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the
|
|
|
|
|
Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One
|
|
|
|
|
thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and
|
|
|
|
|
fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State,
|
|
|
|
|
without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.
|
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|
|
Article 6.
|
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|
|
All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the Adoption of this
|
|
|
|
|
Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this
|
|
|
|
|
Constitution, as under the Confederation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in
|
|
|
|
|
Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the
|
|
|
|
|
Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the
|
|
|
|
|
Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or
|
|
|
|
|
Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the
|
|
|
|
|
several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of
|
|
|
|
|
the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or
|
|
|
|
|
Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be
|
|
|
|
|
required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United
|
|
|
|
|
States.
|
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|
|
Article 7.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the
|
|
|
|
|
Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Done in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the States present the
|
|
|
|
|
Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred
|
|
|
|
|
and Eighty seven and of the Independence of the United States of America the
|
|
|
|
|
Twelfth. In Witness whereof We have hereunto subscribed our Names.
|
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|
|
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|
|
George Washington - President and deputy from Virginia
|
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|
|
New Hampshire - John Langdon, Nicholas Gilman
|
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|
Massachusetts - Nathaniel Gorham, Rufus King
|
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|
|
Connecticut - William Samuel Johnson, Roger Sherman
|
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|
New York - Alexander Hamilton
|
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|
|
New Jersey - William Livingston, David Brearley, William Paterson, Jonathan
|
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|
|
Dayton
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|
|
Pennsylvania - Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Mifflin, Robert Morris, George Clymer,
|
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|
|
Thomas Fitzsimons, Jared Ingersoll, James Wilson, Gouvernour Morris
|
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|
|
Delaware - George Read, Gunning Bedford Jr., John Dickinson, Richard Bassett,
|
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|
|
Jacob Broom
|
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|
|
Maryland - James McHenry, Daniel of St Thomas Jenifer, Daniel Carroll
|
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|
Virginia - John Blair, James Madison Jr.
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|
North Carolina - William Blount, Richard Dobbs Spaight, Hugh Williamson
|
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|
South Carolina - John Rutledge, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Charles Pinckney,
|
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|
|
Pierce Butler
|
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|
|
Georgia - William Few, Abraham Baldwin
|
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|
|
Attest: William Jackson, Secretary
|
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|
|
Amendment 1
|
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|
|
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or
|
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|
|
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.
|
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|
|
Amendment 2
|
|
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|
|
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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|
|
Amendment 3
|
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|
|
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the
|
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|
|
consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by
|
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|
|
law.
|
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|
|
Amendment 4
|
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|
|
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and
|
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|
|
|
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
|
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|
|
persons or things to be seized.
|
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|
|
Amendment 5
|
|
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|
|
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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|
|
Amendment 6
|
|
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|
|
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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|
|
Amendment 7
|
|
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|
|
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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|
|
Amendment 8
|
|
|
|
|
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel
|
|
|
|
|
and unusual punishments inflicted.
|
|
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|
|
Amendment 9
|
|
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|
|
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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|
|
Amendment 10
|
|
|
|
|
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor
|
|
|
|
|
prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to
|
|
|
|
|
the people.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amendment 11
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
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Amendment 12
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The Electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by ballot for
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President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant
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of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person
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voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as
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Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as
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President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President and of the number of
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votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to
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the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of
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the Senate;
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The President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of
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Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted;
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The person having the greatest Number of votes for President, shall be the
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President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors
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appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having
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the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as
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President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot,
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the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by
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states, the representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this
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purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states, and
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a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice. And if the House
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of Representatives shall not choose a President whenever the right of choice
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shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next following, then
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the Vice-President shall act as President, as in the case of the death or other
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constitutional disability of the President.
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The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice-President, shall be the
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Vice-President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors
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appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers
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on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice-President; a quorum for the
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purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a
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majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no person
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constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to
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that of Vice-President of the United States.
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Amendment 13
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1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime
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whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United
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States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
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2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate
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legislation.
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Amendment 14
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1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the
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jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State
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wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge
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the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any
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State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of
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law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the
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laws.
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2. Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to
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their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State,
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excluding Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote at any election for the
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choice of electors for President and Vice-President of the United States,
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Representatives in Congress, the Executive and Judicial officers of a State, or
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the members of the Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the male
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inhabitants of such State, being twenty-one years of age, and citizens of the
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United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in rebellion,
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or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the
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proportion which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole
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number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such State.
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3. No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of
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President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the
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United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a
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member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of
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any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to
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support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in
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insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the
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enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove
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such disability.
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4. The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law,
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including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in
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suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the
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United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred
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in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for
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the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and
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claims shall be held illegal and void.
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5. The Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the
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provisions of this article.
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Amendment 15
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1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or
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abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or
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previous condition of servitude.
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2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate
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legislation.
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Amendment 16
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The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from
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whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and
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without regard to any census or enumeration.
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Amendment 17
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The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each
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State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall
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have one vote. The electors in each State shall have the qualifications
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requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures.
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When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the
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executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such
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vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the
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executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the
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vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.
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This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of
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any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution.
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Amendment 18
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1. After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale,
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or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into,
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or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to
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the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.
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2. The Congress and the several States shall have concurrent power to enforce
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this article by appropriate legislation.
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3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an
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amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of the several States, as
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provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the
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submission hereof to the States by the Congress.
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Amendment 19
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The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or
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abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.
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Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
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Amendment 20
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1. The terms of the President and Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th
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day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3d
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day of January, of the years in which such terms would have ended if this
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article had not been ratified; and the terms of their successors shall then
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begin.
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2. The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting
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shall begin at noon on the 3d day of January, unless they shall by law appoint
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a different day.
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3. If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of the President, the
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President elect shall have died, the Vice President elect shall become
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President. If a President shall not have been chosen before the time fixed for
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the beginning of his term, or if the President elect shall have failed to
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qualify, then the Vice President elect shall act as President until a President
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shall have qualified; and the Congress may by law provide for the case wherein
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neither a President elect nor a Vice President elect shall have qualified,
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declaring who shall then act as President, or the manner in which one who is to
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act shall be selected, and such person shall act accordingly until a President
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or Vice President shall have qualified.
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4. The Congress may by law provide for the case of the death of any of the
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persons from whom the House of Representatives may choose a President whenever
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the right of choice shall have devolved upon them, and for the case of the
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death of any of the persons from whom the Senate may choose a Vice President
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whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them.
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5. Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect on the 15th day of October following the
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ratification of this article.
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6. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an
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amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the
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several States within seven years from the date of its submission.
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Amendment 21
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1. The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States
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is hereby repealed.
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2. The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or possession
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of the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in
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violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.
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3. The article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an
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amendment to the Constitution by conventions in the several States, as provided
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in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof
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to the States by the Congress.
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Amendment 22
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1. No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice,
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and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for
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more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President
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shall be elected to the office of the President more than once. But this
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Article shall not apply to any person holding the office of President, when this
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Article was proposed by the Congress, and shall not prevent any person who may
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be holding the office of President, or acting as President, during the term
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within which this Article becomes operative from holding the office of
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President or acting as President during the remainder of such term.
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2. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an
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amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the
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several States within seven years from the date of its submission to the States
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by the Congress.
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Amendment 23
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1. The District constituting the seat of Government of the United States shall
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appoint in such manner as the Congress may direct: A number of electors of
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President and Vice President equal to the whole number of Senators and
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Representatives in Congress to which the District would be entitled if it were
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a State, but in no event more than the least populous State; they shall be in
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addition to those appointed by the States, but they shall be considered, for
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the purposes of the election of President and Vice President, to be electors
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appointed by a State; and they shall meet in the District and perform such
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duties as provided by the twelfth article of amendment.
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2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate
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legislation.
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Amendment 24
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1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other
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election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or
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Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be
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denied or abridged by the United States or any State by reason of failure to
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pay any poll tax or other tax.
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2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate
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legislation.
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Amendment 25
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1. In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or
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resignation, the Vice President shall become President.
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2. Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the
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President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon
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confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress.
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3. Whenever the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate
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and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that he
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is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, and until he
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transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties
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shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting President.
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4. Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers
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of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law
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provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of
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the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is
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unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President
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shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting
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President.
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Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the
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Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration
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that no inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office
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unless the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of
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the executive department or of such other body as Congress may by law provide,
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transmit within four days to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the
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Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the
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President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. Thereupon
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Congress shall decide the issue, assembling within forty eight hours for that
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purpose if not in session. If the Congress, within twenty one days after
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receipt of the latter written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session,
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within twenty one days after Congress is required to assemble, determines by
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two thirds vote of both Houses that the President is unable to discharge the
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powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall continue to discharge
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the same as Acting President; otherwise, the President shall resume the powers
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and duties of his office.
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Amendment 26
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1. The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or
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older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any
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State on account of age.
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2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate
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legislation.
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Amendment 27
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No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and
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Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall
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have intervened.
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