Title: Digital Pocket Constitution Original CoS Document (slug): [[https://conventionofstates.com/files/digital-pocket-constitution|digital-pocket-constitution]] Login Required to view? No Attached File: Digital_COSA_PocketUSConstitution_COSA2022.pdf This Digital Pocket Constitution features the United States Constitution with a special foreword by Mark Meckler. It also includes all of the Amendments and the Declaration of Independence Created: 2020-09-01 12:21:52 Updated: 2025-01-01 19:00:00 Published: 2020-08-31 23:00:00 Converted: 2025-04-14T19:57:59.718350550 ---- {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto001.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}}      The    Constitution  **OF THE** **UNITED STATES** **OF** **AMERICA** **WITH THE** **AMENDMENTS** **AND THE** **DECLARATION** **OF** **INDEPENDENCE** {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto002.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} //**“The basis of our political systems is the **// //**right of the people to make and to alter \\ their constitutions of government. But the **// //**Constitution which at any time exists, till **// //**changed by an explicit and authentic act \\ of the whole people, is sacredly obligatory **// //**upon all. The very idea of the power and the \\ right of the people to establish government \\ presupposes the duty of every individual to \\ obey the established government.”**// //** — President George Washington,\\      Farewell Address, 1796**// {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto003.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} **3**       **FOREWARD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5** **ARTICLE V . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6** **THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE . . . . . . 7** **THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES . . .15** **PREAMBLE** . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 **ARTICLE I **Legislative Branch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 **  ARTICLE II **Executive Branch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26\\ **  ARTICLE III **Judicial Branch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30\\ **  ARTICLE IV **The States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 **ARTICLE V  **Processes for Amending . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 **  ARTICLE VI **Establishment as Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 **ARTICLE VII **Ratification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35      Table            of      Contents {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto004.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} **THE AMENDMENTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37** **I** Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press (...). . . . . . . . . 38 **II** Right to Keep & Bear Arms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 **III** Restricts Quartering of Soldiers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 **IV** Prohibits Unreasonable Search & Seizure (...) . . . . 38 **V** Indictment, Eminent Domain,      Due Process (...) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 **VI** Trial by Jury, Right to Confront Accuser (...) . . . . . 39 **VII** Right to Jury Trial in Civil Lawsuits . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 **VIII** Prohibits Cruel & Unusual Punishment (...). . . . . . 40 **IX** States’ Rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 **X** Limits to Federal Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 **XI** States’ Sovereign Immunity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 **XII** Revisions to Vice President Election . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 **XIII** Abolishment of Slavery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 **XIV** Due Process Clause, Equal Protection Clause(...) . 42 **XV** Prohibits Denying the Right to Vote by Race. . . . . . 44 **XVI** Permits Congress to Levy an Income Tax  . . . . . . . 44 **XVII** Direct Election of Senators by Popular Vote . . . . . . 44 **XVIII** Prohibition of Alcohol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 **XVIX** Prohibits Denying the Right to Vote by Sex. . . . . . . 46 **XX** Changes Dates for President, Vice President,      and Congressional Terms (...) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 **XXI** Repeals 18th Amendment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 **XXII** Presidential Term Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 **XXIII** District of Columbia Granted Electors. . . . . . . . . . 49 **XXIV** Prohibits Denying Voting Rights Due      to Non-Payment of Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 **XXV** Presidential Succession . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 **XXVI** Voting Rights to Citizens 18 Years or Older. . . . . . . 51 **XXVII** Congressional Salary Adjustments Timeframe . . . . 51 **CONVENTION OF STATES** **PETITION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53** **4** {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto005.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} Foreward **IN 1787, OUR FOREFATHERS **crafted  a document which set forth a revolution- ary structure of a government, inspired by  God, and informed by history. Inspired by the  Declaration of Independence, it further solid- ifies  the  universal  and  unchanging  principles  the United States was founded upon. Across world history, the average constitution  survives just 17 years. Now over 232 years old,  the United States Constitution has stood the  test  of  time.  It  remains  an  unwavering  testa- ment to the divine wisdom bestowed upon our  Founding Fathers, principles that have created  a nation of unmatched prosperity, liberty, and  freedom for all. We  at  Convention  of  States  hope  you  will  carry  this  booklet  with  you  and  reference  it  often. We hope you’ll pay special attention to  Article V.  Because  today,  these  foundational  documents  and  principles  are  at  risk.  The  Founders  entrusted  us  with  Article  V  as  a  safeguard  to  protect  our  liberties  from  an  overreaching federal government. May  we  have  the  courage  to  use  it  and  boldly  preserve  this  great  nation  for  future  generations. And may God continue to bless  these United States of America. **MARK MECKLER** //Co-Founder and President, Convention of States Action // **5** {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto006.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} **6**  Article  V **OF THE** **U.S. CONSTITUTION** **ARTICLE  V  OF  THE  CONSTITUTION  **of  the  United States reads as follows: //“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.”// The history of Article V from the 1787 Convention: “On  September  15,  as  the  Convention  was  reviewing  the  revision s made by the Committee of Style, George Mason  expressed opposition to the provisions limiting the power  to  propose  amendments  to  Congress.  According  to  the  Convention records, Mason thought that ‘no Amendment  of the proper kind would ever be obtained by the people,  if the Government should become oppressive, as he verily  believed  would  be  the  case.’  In  response,  Gouverneur  Morris and Elbridge Gerry made a motion to amend the  article to reintroduce language requiring that a convention  be  called  when  two-thirds  of  the  States  applied  for  an  amendment.”  [30  Harvard  Journal  of  Law  and  Public  Policy 1005, 1007 (2007)] Thank God that the Founders were wise enough to give  us  the  second  clause  of  Article  V.  Their  decision  was  unanimous.  The  Framers  had  very  little  debate  about  this—and they debated almost everything—because they  knew human nature and they had experienced the heavy  hand of a tyrannical government. They foresaw a time in  the  future when  such  a  mechanism would  be  necessary. Now is that time. {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto007.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} **7**             The Declaration    of  Independence     **IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776** {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto008.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} **8** **The unanimous Declaration of the ** **thirteen united States of America, ** **When in the course** of human  events, it becomes necessary  for one people to dissolve the  political bands which have connected them  with another, and to assume among the  powers of the earth, the separate and equal  station to which the Laws of Nature and of  Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect  to the opinions of mankind requires that they  should declare the causes which impel them  to the separation . We hold these truths to be self-evident,  that all men are created equal, that they  are endowed by their Creator with certain  unalienable Rights, that among these are  Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness .— That to secure these rights, Governments are  instituted among Men, deriving their just  powers from the consent of the governed,— That whenever any Form of Government  becomes destructive of these ends, it is the  Right of the People to alter or to abolish it,  and to institute new Government, laying its  foundation on such principles and organizing  its powers in such form, as to them shall  seem most likely to effect their Safety and  Happiness . Prudence, indeed, will dictate  that Governments long established should  not be changed for light and transient  causes; and accordingly all experience hath  shewn, that mankind are more disposed  to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to  right themselves by abolishing the forms to  which they are accustomed . But when a long  {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto009.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} **9** train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing  invariably the same Object evinces a design  to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it  is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such  Government, and to provide new Guards for  their future security .—Such has been the  patient sufferance of these Colonies; and  such is now the necessity which constrains  them to alter their former Systems of  Government . The history of the present  King of Great Britain is a history of repeated  injuries and usurpations, all having in direct  object the establishment of an absolute  Tyranny over these States . To prove this, let  Facts be submitted to a candid world . He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most  wholesome and necessary for the public good . He has forbidden his Governors to pass  Laws of immediate and pressing importance,  unless suspended in their operation till his  Assent should be obtained; and when so  suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend  to them . He has refused to pass other Laws for the  accommodation of large districts of people,  unless those people would relinquish the  right of Representation in the Legislature, a  right inestimable to them and formidable to  tyrants only . He has called together legislative bodies at  places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant  from the depository of their public Records,  for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into  compliance with his measures . {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto010.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} **10** He has dissolved Representative Houses  repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness  his invasions on the rights of the people . He has refused for a long time, after such  dissolutions, to cause others to be elected;  whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of  Annihilation, have returned to the People at  large for their exercise; the State remaining in  the mean time exposed to all the dangers of  invasion from without, and convulsions within . He has endeavoured to prevent the  population of these States; for that purpose  obstructing the Laws for Naturalization  of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to  encourage their migrations hither, and raising  the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands . He has obstructed the Administration of  Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for  establishing Judiciary powers . He has made Judges dependent on his Will  alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the  amount and payment of their salaries . He has erected a multitude of New Offices,  and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass  our people, and eat out their substance . He has kept among us, in times of peace,  Standing Armies without the Consent of our  legislatures . He has affected to render the Military  independent of and superior to the Civil power . He has combined with others to subject us  {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto011.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} **11** to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution,  and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his  Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation: For Quartering large bodies of armed  troops among us: For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from  punishment for any Murders which they should  commit on the Inhabitants of these States: For cutting off our Trade with all parts of  the world: For imposing Taxes on us without our  Consent: For depriving us in many cases, of the  benefits of Trial by Jury: For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried  for pretended offences For abolishing the free System of English  Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing  therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging  its Boundaries so as to render it at once an  example and fit instrument for introducing the  same absolute rule into these Colonies: For taking away our Charters, abolishing our  most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally  the Forms of our Governments: For suspending our own Legislatures, and  declaring themselves invested with power to  legislate for us in all cases whatsoever . He has abdicated Government here, by  {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto012.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} **12** declaring us out of his Protection and waging  War against us . He has plundered our seas, ravaged our  Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the  lives of our people . He is at this time transporting large  Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat  the works of death, desolation and tyranny,  already begun with circumstances of Cruelty  & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most  barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the  Head of a civilized nation . He has constrained our fellow Citizens  taken Captive on the high Seas to bear  Arms against their Country, to become the  executioners of their friends and Brethren, or  to fall themselves by their Hands . He has excited domestic insurrections  amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on  the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless  Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare,  is an undistinguished destruction of all ages,  sexes and conditions . In every stage of these Oppressions We have  Petitioned for Redress in the most humble  terms: Our repeated Petitions have been  answered only by repeated injury . A Prince  whose character is thus marked by every act  which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the  ruler of a free people . Nor have We been wanting in attentions  to our Brittish brethren . We have warned  {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto013.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} **13** them from time to time of attempts by  their legislature to extend an unwarrantable  jurisdiction over us . We have reminded them  of the circumstances of our emigration and  settlement here . We have appealed to their  native justice and magnanimity, and we have  conjured them by the ties of our common  kindred to disavow these usurpations,  which, would inevitably interrupt our  connections and correspondence . They  too have been deaf to the voice of justice  and of consanguinity . We must, therefore,  acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces  our Separation, and hold them, as we hold  the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in  Peace Friends . We, therefore, the Representatives of  the united States of America, in General  Congress, Assembled, appealing to the  Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude  of our intentions, do, in the Name, and  by Authority of the good People of these  Colonies, solemnly publish and declare,  That these United Colonies are, and of  Right ought to be Free and Independent  States; that they are Absolved from all  Allegiance to the British Crown, and that  all political connection between them and  the State of Great Britain, is and ought to  be totally dissolved; and that as Free and  Independent States, they have full Power  to levy War, conclude Peace, contract  Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all  other Acts and Things which Independent  States may of right do . And for the support  of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on  the protection of divine Providence, we  {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto014.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} **14** **GEORGIA\\ **Button Gwinnett\\ Lyman Hall\\ George Walton **NORTH CAROLINA\\ **William Hooper\\ Joseph Hewes\\ John Penn **SOUTH CAROLINA\\ **Edward Rutledge\\ Thomas Heyward, Jr.\\ Thomas Lynch, Jr.\\ Arthur Middleton **MASSACHUSETTS\\ **John Hancock **MARYLAND\\ **Samuel Chase\\ William Paca\\ Thomas Stone\\ Charles Carroll of Carrollton **VIRGINIA\\ **George Wythe\\ Richard Henry Lee\\ Thomas Jefferson\\ Benjamin Harrison\\ Thomas Nelson, Jr.\\ Francis Lightfoot Lee\\ Carter Braxton **PENNSYLVANIA\\ **Robert Morris\\ Benjamin Rush\\ Benjamin Franklin\\ John Morton\\ George Clymer\\ James Smith\\ George Taylor\\ James Wilson\\ George Ross **DELAWARE\\ **Caesar Rodney\\ George Read\\ Thomas McKean **NEW YORK\\ **William Floyd\\ Philip Livingston\\ Francis Lewis\\ Lewis Morris **NEW JERSEY\\ **Richard Stockton\\ John Witherspoon\\ Francis Hopkinson\\ John Hart\\ Abraham Clark **NEW HAMPSHIRE\\ **Josiah Bartlett\\ William Whipple **MASSACHUSETTS\\ **Samuel Adams\\ John Adams\\ Robert Treat Paine\\ Elbridge Gerry **RHODE ISLAND\\ **Stephen Hopkins\\ William Ellery **CONNECTICUT\\ **Roger Sherman\\ Samuel Huntington\\ William Williams\\ Oliver Wolcott **NEW HAMPSHIRE\\ **Matthew Thornton mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our  Fortunes and our sacred Honor. {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto015.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} **15**              The     Constitution  **OF THE** **UNITED STATES** **OF** **AMERICA** {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto016.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} **16** **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 Posterity, do ordain and  establish this Constitution for the United  States of America . **article i** **Section 1: Congress** All legislative Powers herein granted shall be  vested in a Congress of the United States,  which shall consist of a Senate and House of  Representatives . **Section 2: The House of Representatives** The House of Representatives shall be  composed of Members chosen every second  Year by the People of the several States, and  the Electors in each State shall have the  Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most  numerous Branch of the State Legislature . No Person shall be a Representative who  shall not have attained to the Age of twenty  five Years, and been seven Years a Citizen of  the United States, and who shall not, when  elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in  which he shall be chosen . [Representatives and direct Taxes shall be  apportioned among the several States which  may be included within this Union, according  to their respective Numbers, which shall be  determined by adding to the whole Number of  {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto017.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} **17** free Persons, including those bound to Service  for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not  taxed, three fifths of all other Persons .]1 The  actual Enumeration shall be made within three  Years after the first Meeting of the Congress  of the United States, and within every  subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner  as they shall by Law direct .The number of  Representatives shall not exceed one for  every thirty Thousand, but each State shall  have at Least one Representative; and until  such enumeration shall be made, the State  of New Hampshire shall be entitled to chuse  three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode-Island and  Providence Plantations one, Connecticut five,  New-York six, New Jersey four, Pennsylvania  eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia  ten, North Carolina five, South Carolina five,  and Georgia three . When vacancies happen in the Representation  from any State, the Executive Authority  thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill  such Vacancies . The House of Representatives shall chuse  their Speaker and other Officers;and shall  have the sole Power of Impeachment . **Section 3: The Senate** The Senate of the United States shall be  composed of two Senators from each State,  [chosen by the Legislature thereof,]2 for six  Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote . Immediately after they shall be assembled in  1 . Changed by Section 2 of the Fourteenth Amendment . \\ 2 . Changed by the Seventeenth Amendment . {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto018.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} **18** Consequence of the first Election, they shall be  divided as equally as may be into three Classes .  The Seats of the Senators of the first Class shall  be vacated at the Expiration of the second Year, of  the second Class at the Expiration of the fourth  Year, and of the third Class at the Expiration of  the sixth Year, so that one third may be chosen  every second Year; [and if Vacancies happen by  Resignation, or otherwise, during the Recess  of the Legislature of any State, the Executive  thereof may make temporary Appointments  until the next Meeting of the Legislature, which  shall then fill such Vacancies .]3 No Person shall be a Senator who shall  not have attained to the Age of thirty Years,  and been nine Years a Citizen of the United  States, and who shall not, when elected, be  an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall  be chosen . The Vice President of the United States shall  be President of the Senate, but shall have no  Vote, unless they be equally divided . The Senate shall chuse their other Officers, and  also a President pro tempore, in the Absence of  the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the  Office of President of the United States . The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all  Impeachments . When sitting for that Purpose,  they shall be on Oath or Affirmation . When  the President of the United States is tried,  the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person  shall be convicted without the Concurrence  of two thirds of the Members present . 3 . Changed by the Seventeenth Amendment . {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto019.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} **19** Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall  not extend further than to removal from  Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy  any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under  the United States: but the Party convicted  shall nevertheless be liable and subject to  Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment,  according to Law . **Section 4: Elections** The Times, Places and Manner of holding  Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall  be prescribed in each State by the Legislature  thereof; but the Congress may at any time by  Law make or alter such Regulations, except as  to the Places of chusing Senators . The Congress shall assemble at least once in  every Year, and such Meeting shall be [on the  first Monday in December,]4 unless they shall  by Law appoint a different Day . **Section 5: Powers and Duties of Congress** Each House shall be the Judge of the  Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its  own Members,and a Majority of each shall  constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a  smaller Number may adjourn from day to  day, and may be authorized to compel the  Attendance of absent Members, in such  Manner, and under such Penalties as each  House may provide . Each House may determine the Rules of its  Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly  Behaviour, and, with the Concurrence of two  thirds, expel a Member . 4 . Changed by Section 2 of the Twentieth Amendment . {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto020.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} **20** Each House shall keep a Journal of its  Proceedings, and from time to time publish  the same, excepting such Parts as may in their  Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas and  Nays of the Members of either House on any  question shall, at the Desire of one fifth of  those Present, be entered on the Journal . Neither House, during the Session of  Congress, shall, without the Consent of the  other, adjourn for more than three days, nor  to any other Place than that in which the two  Houses shall be sitting . **Section 6: Rights and ** **Disabilities of Members** The Senators and Representatives shall  receive a Compensation for their Services, to  be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the  Treasury of the United States .They shall in  all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach  of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest  during their Attendance at the Session of  their respective Houses, and in going to and  returning from the same; and for any Speech  or Debate in either House, they shall not be  questioned in any other Place . No Senator or Representative shall, during  the Time for which he was elected, be  appointed to any civil Office under the  Authority of the United States, which shall  have been created, or the Emoluments  whereof shall have been encreased during  such time; and no Person holding any Office  under the United States, shall be a Member  of either House during his Continuance in  Office . {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto021.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} **21** **Section 7: Legislative Process** All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in  the House of Representatives; but the Senate  may propose or concur with Amendments as  on other Bills . Every Bill which shall have passed the  House of Representatives and the Senate,  shall, before it become a Law, be presented  to the President of the United States; If he  approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall  return it, with his Objections to that House  in which it shall have originated, who shall  enter the Objections at large on their Journal,  and proceed to reconsider it . If after such  Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall  agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together  with the Objections, to the other House, by  which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and  if approved by two thirds of that House, it  shall become a Law . But in all such Cases the  Votes of both Houses shall be determined by  Yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons  voting for and against the Bill shall be entered  on the Journal of each House respectively . If  any Bill shall not be returned by the President  within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it  shall have been presented to him, the Same  shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had  signed it, unless the Congress by their  Adjournment prevent its Return, in which  Case it shall not be a Law . Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which  the Concurrence of the Senate and House of  Representatives may be necessary (except on a  question of Adjournment) shall be presented to  the President of the United States; and before  {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto022.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} **22** the Same shall take Effect, shall be approved  by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be  repassed by two thirds of the Senate and House  of Representatives, according to the Rules and  Limitations prescribed in the Case of a Bill . **Section 8: Powers of Congress** The Congress shall have Power To lay and  collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to  pay the Debts and provide for the common  Defence and general Welfare of the United  States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises  shall be uniform throughout the United States; To borrow Money on the credit of the  United States; To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations,  and among the several States, and with the  Indian Tribes; To establish a uniform Rule of  Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the  subject of Bankruptcies throughout the  United States; To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof,  and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of  Weights and Measures; To provide for the Punishment of counter- feiting the Securities and current Coin of the  United States; To establish Post Offices and post Roads; To promote the Progress of Science and  useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to  {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto023.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} **23** Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to  their respective Writings and Discoveries; To constitute Tribunals inferior to the  supreme Court; To define and punish Piracies and Felonies  committed on the high Seas, and Offenses  against the Law of Nations; To declare War, grant Letters of Marque  and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning  Captures on Land and Water; To raise and support Armies, but no  Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be  for a longer Term than two Years; To provide and maintain a Navy; To make Rules for the Government and  Regulation of the land and naval Forces; To provide for calling forth the Militia to  execute the Laws of the Union, suppress  Insurrections and repel Invasions; To provide for organizing, arming, and  disciplining, the Militia, and for governing  such Part of them as may be employed in the  Service of the United States, reserving to the  States respectively, the Appointment of the  Officers, and the Authority of training the  Militia according to the discipline prescribed  by Congress; To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases  whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten  {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto024.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} **24** Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular  States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become  the Seat of the Government of the United States,  and to exercise like Authority over all Places  purchased by the Consent of the Legislature  of the State in which the Same shall be, for the  Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock- Yards and other needful Buildings;-And To make all Laws which shall be necessary and  proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing  Powers, and all other Powers vested by this  Constitution in the Government of the United  States, or in any Department or Officer thereof . **Section 9: Powers Denied Congress** The Migration or Importation of such Persons  as any of the States now existing shall think  proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the  Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight  hundred and eight, but a Tax or duty may be  imposed on such Importation, not exceeding  ten dollars for each Person . The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus  shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases  of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may  require it . No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall  be passed . No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be  laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or  Enumeration herein before directed to be  taken .5 5 . See Sixteenth Amendment . {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto025.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} **25** No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles  exported from any State . No Preference shall be given by any Regulation  of Commerce or Revenue to the Ports of one  State over those of another: nor shall Vessels  bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to  enter, clear, or pay Duties in another . No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury,  but in Consequence of Appropriations made  by Law; and a regular Statement and Account  of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public  Money shall be published from time to time . No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the  United States: And no Person holding any  Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall,  without the Consent of the Congress, accept  of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of  any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or  foreign State . **Section 10: Powers Denied to the States** No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance,  or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque  and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of  Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver  Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any  Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law  impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or  grant any Title of Nobility . No State shall, without the Consent of  the Congress, lay any Imposts or Duties  on Imports or Exports, except what may  be absolutely necessary for executing it’s  inspection Laws: and the net Produce of all  {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto026.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} **26** Duties and Imposts, laid by any State on  Imports or Exports, shall be for the Use of the  Treasury of the United States; and all such  Laws shall be subject to the Revision and  Controul of the Congress . No State shall, without the Consent of  Congress, lay any Duty of Tonnage, keep  Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter  into any Agreement or Compact with another  State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War,  unless actually invaded, or in such imminent  Danger as will not admit of delay . **article ii** **Section 1** The executive Power shall be vested in a  President of the United States of America . He shall hold his Office during the Term  of four Years, and, together with the Vice  President, chosen for the same Term, be  elected, as follows: Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as  the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number  of Electors, equal to the whole Number of  Senators and Representatives to which the  State may be entitled in the Congress: but no  Senator or Representative, or Person holding  an Office of Trust or Profit under the United  States, shall be appointed an Elector . [The Electors shall meet in their respective  States, and vote by Ballot for two Persons, of  whom one at least shall not be an Inhabitant  of the same State with themselves . And they  {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto027.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} **27** shall make a List of all the Persons voted for,  and of the Number of Votes for each; which  List they shall sign and certify, and transmit  sealed to the Seat of the Government of the  United States, directed to the President of  the Senate . The President of the Senate shall,  in the Presence of the Senate and House of  Representatives, open all the Certificates, and  the Votes shall then be counted . The Person  having the greatest Number of Votes shall be  the President, if such Number be a Majority  of the whole Number of Electors appointed;  and if there be more than one who have  such Majority, and have an equal Number  of Votes, then the House of Representatives  shall immediately chuse by Ballot one of  them for President; and if no Person have a  Majority, then from the five highest on the  List the said House shall in like Manner  chuse the President . But in chusing the  President, the Votes shall be taken by States,  the Representation from each State having  one Vote; A quorum for this Purpose shall  consist of a Member or Members from two  thirds of the States, and a Majority of all the  States shall be necessary to a Choice . In every  Case, after the Choice of the President, the  Person having the greatest Number of Votes  of the Electors shall be the Vice President .  But if there should remain two or more who  have equal Votes, the Senate shall chuse from  them by Ballot the Vice President .]6 The Congress may determine the Time of  chusing the Electors, and the Day on which  they shall give their Votes; which Day shall be  the same throughout the United States . 6 . Changed by the Twelfth Amendment . {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto028.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} **28** No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a  Citizen of the United States, at the time of the  Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible  to the Office of President; neither shall any  person be eligible to that Office who shall not  have attained to the Age of thirty five Years,  and been fourteen Years a Resident within the  United States . [In Case of the Removal of the President  from Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or  Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties  of the said Office, the Same shall devolve on  the Vice President, and the Congress may by  Law provide for the Case of Removal, Death,  Resignation or Inability, both of the President  and Vice President, declaring what Officer  shall then act as President, and such Officer  shall act accordingly, until the Disability be  removed, or a President shall be elected .]7 The President shall, at stated Times, receive  for his Services, a Compensation, which shall  neither be increased nor diminished during  the Period for which he shall have been  elected, and he shall not receive within that  Period any other Emolument from the United  States, or any of them . Before he enter on the Execution of his  Office, he shall take the following Oath or  Affirmation:—“I do solemnly swear (or  affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office  of President of the United States, and will to  the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and  defend the Constitution of the United States .” 7 . Changed by the Twenty-Fifth Amendment . {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto029.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} **29** **Section 2** The President shall be Commander in Chief  of the Army and Navy of the United States,  and of the Militia of the several States, when  called into the actual Service of the United  States; he may require the Opinion, in writing,  of the principal Officer in each of the executive  Departments, upon any Subject relating to the  Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall  have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons  for Offenses against the United States, except  in Cases of Impeachment . He shall have Power, by and with the Advice  and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties,  provided two thirds of the Senators present  concur; and he shall nominate, and by and  with the Advice and Consent of the Senate,  shall appoint Ambassadors, other public  Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme  Court, and all other Officers of the United  States, whose Appointments are not herein  otherwise provided for, and which shall be  established by Law: but the Congress may  by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior  Officers, as they think proper, in the President  alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads  of Departments . The President shall have Power to fill up all  Vacancies that may happen during the Recess  of the Senate, by granting Commissions which  shall expire at the End of their next Session . **Section 3** He shall from time to time give to the Congress  Information of the State of the Union,  and recommend to their Consideration  {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto030.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} **30** such Measures as he shall judge necessary  and expedient; he may, on extraordinary  Occasions, convene both Houses, or either  of them, and in Case of Disagreement  between them, with Respect to the Time of  Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such  Time as he shall think proper; he shall receive  Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he  shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully  executed, and shall Commission all the  Officers of the United States . **Section 4** The President, Vice President and all civil  Officers of the United States, shall be  removed from Office on Impeachment for,  and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other  high Crimes and Misdemeanors . **article iii** **Section 1** The judicial Power of the United States, shall  be vested in one supreme Court, and in such  inferior Courts as the Congress may from time  to time ordain and establish . The Judges, both  of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold  their Offices during good Behaviour, and shall,  at stated Times, receive for their Services, a  Compensation, which shall not be diminished  during their Continuance in Office . **Section 2** The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in  Law and Equity, arising under this Constitu- tion, the Laws of the United States, and Trea- ties made, or which shall be made, under their  Authority;—to all Cases affecting Ambassadors,  {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto031.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} **31** other public Ministers and Consuls;—to all  Cases of admiralty and maritime Jurisdiction;— to Controversies to which the United States  shall be a Party;—to Controversies between two  or more States;—[between a State and Citizens  of another State;—]8 between Citizens of differ- ent States;—between Citizens of the same State  claiming Lands under Grants of different States,  [and between a State, or the Citizens thereof,  and foreign States, Citizens or Subjects .]9 In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public  Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a  State shall be Party, the supreme Court shall  have original Jurisdiction . In all the other Cases  before mentioned, the supreme Court shall  have appellate Jurisdiction, both as to Law and  Fact, with such Exceptions, and under such  Regulations as the Congress shall make . The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of  Impeachment; shall be by Jury; and such  Trial shall be held in the State where the  said Crimes shall have been committed; but  when not committed within any State, the  Trial shall be at such Place or Places as the  Congress may by Law have directed . **Section 3** Treason against the United States, shall  consist only in levying War against them, or  in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid  and Comfort . No Person shall be convicted  of Treason unless on the Testimony of two  Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on  Confession in open Court . 8 . Changed by the Eleventh Amendment .\\ 9 . Changed by the Eleventh Amendment . {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto032.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} **32** The Congress shall have Power to declare  the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder  of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood,  or Forfeiture except during the Life of the  Person attainted . **article iV** **Section 1** Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each  State to the public Acts, Records, and judi- cial Proceedings of every other State . And  the Congress may by general Laws pre- scribe the Manner in which such Acts, Re- cords and Proceedings shall be proved, and  the Effect thereof . **Section 2** The Citizens of each State shall be entitled  to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in  the several States . A Person charged in any State with Treason,  Felony, or other Crime, who shall flee from  Justice, and be found in another State, shall  on Demand of the executive Authority of the  State from which he fled, be delivered up, to  be removed to the State having Jurisdiction  of the Crime . [No Person held to Service or Labour in one  State, under the Laws thereof, escaping into  another, shall, in Consequence of any Law or  Regulation therein, be discharged from such  Service or Labour, but shall be delivered up  on Claim of the Party to whom such Service  or Labour may be due .]10 10 . Changed by the Thirteenth Amendment . {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto033.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} **33** **Section 3** New States may be admitted by the Congress  into this Union; but no new State shall be  formed or erected within the Jurisdiction  of any other State; nor any State be formed  by the Junction of two or more States, or  Parts of States, without the Consent of the  Legislatures of the States concerned as well as  of the Congress . 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 any Claims of the United States,  or of any particular State . **Section 4** The United States shall guarantee to every  State in this Union a Republican Form of  Government, and shall protect each of them  against Invasion; and on Application of the  Legislature, or of the Executive (when the  Legislature cannot be convened) against  domestic Violence . **article V** 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  {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto034.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} **34** 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 . **article Vi** 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 . {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto035.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} **35** **article Vii** 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, **go . washington—presidt: ** **and** ** deputy From Virginia**  Attest William Jackson Secretary **new hampshire\\ **John Langdon \\ Nicholas Gilman **massachusetts\\ **Nathaniel Gorham \\ Rufus King **connecticut\\ **Wm . Saml . Johnson \\ Roger Sherman **new yorK\\ **Alexander Hamilton **new Jersey\\ **Wil: Livingston \\ David Brearley \\ Wm . Paterson \\ Jona: Dayton **pennsylVania\\ **B Franklin \\ Thomas Mifflin \\ Robt Morris \\ Geo . Clymer \\ Thos . FitzSimons \\ Jared Ingersoll \\ James Wilson \\ Gouv Morris {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto036.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} //**“Since the general civilization of **// //**mankind, I believe there are more \\ instances of the abridgment of the \\ freedom of the people by gradual **// //**and silent encroachments of those **// //**in power, than by violent and **// //**sudden usurpations.”**// //**                                        — James Madison**// {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto037.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} **37**                  The     Amendments **TO THE** **CONSTITUTION** **OF THE** **UNITED STATES OF AMERICA** {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto038.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} **38** //**The first ten amendments to the **// //**Constitution—the Bill of Rights**// //**—were ratified effective **// //**December 15, 1791.**// **Amendment I** Congress  shall  make  no  law  respecting  an  establishment  of  religion,  or  prohibiting  the  free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom  of speech, or of the press; or the right of the  people peaceably to assemble, and to petition  the Government for a redress of grievances. **Amendment II** 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. **Amendment III** No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered  in  any  house,  without  the  consent  of  the  Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to  be prescribed by law. **Amendment IV** The right of the people to be secure in their  persons,  houses,  papers,  and  effects,  against  unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not  be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but  upon  probable  cause,  supported  by  Oath  or  affirmation,  and  particularly  describing  the place to be searched, and the persons or  things to be seized. {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto039.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} **39** **Amendment V** 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 offence 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 . **Amendment VI** 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 . **Amendment VII** 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  reexamined in any Court of the United  States, than according to the rules of the  common law . {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto040.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} **40** **Amendment VIII** Excessive bail shall not be required, nor  excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual  punishments inflicted . **Amendment IX** The enumeration in the Constitution, of  certain rights, shall not be construed to deny  or disparage others retained by the people . **Amendment X** 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 XI** //**Ratified February 7, 1795**// 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 . **Amendment XII** //**Ratified June 15, 1804**// The Electors shall meet in their respective  states and vote by ballot for President and  Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall  not be an inhabitant of the same state with  themselves; they shall name in their ballots  the person voted for as President, and in  distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice- President, and they shall make distinct lists  of all persons voted for as President, and  of all persons voted for as Vice-President,  and of the number of votes for each, which  lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit  sealed to the seat of the government of the  {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto041.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} **41** United States, directed to the President of  the Senate;—The President of the Senate  shall, in the presence of the Senate and House  of Representatives, open all the certificates  and the votes shall then be counted; — The  person having the greatest number of votes  for President, shall be the President, if such  number be a majority of the whole number  of Electors appointed; and if no person have  such majority, then from the persons having  the highest numbers not exceeding three  on the list of those voted for as President,  the House of Representatives shall choose  immediately, by ballot, the President . But  in choosing the President, the votes shall  be taken by states, the representation from  each state having one vote; a quorum for this  purpose shall consist of a member or members  from two-thirds of the states, and a majority  of all the states shall be necessary to a choice .  [And if the House of Representatives shall  not choose a President whenever the right of  choice shall devolve upon them, before the  fourth day of March next following, then  the Vice-President shall act as President, as  in case of the death or other constitutional  disability of the President .]1—The person  having the greatest number of votes as Vice- President, shall be the Vice-President, if such  number be a majority of the whole number of  Electors appointed, and if no person have a  majority, then from the two highest numbers  on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice- President; a quorum for the purpose shall  consist of two-thirds of the whole number  of Senators, and a majority of the whole  number shall be necessary to a choice . But  1 . Superseded by Section 3 of the Twentieth Amendment . {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto042.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} **42** no person constitutionally ineligible to the  office of President shall be eligible to that of  Vice-President of the United States . **Amendment XIII** //**Ratified December 6, 1865**// **Section 1** Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude,  except as a punishment for crime whereof the  party shall have been duly convicted, shall  exist within the United States, or any place  subject to their jurisdiction . **Section 2** Congress shall have power to enforce this  article by appropriate legislation . **Amendment XIV** //**Ratified July 9, 1868**// **Section 1** All persons born or naturalized in the United  States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof,  are citizens of the United States and of the  State wherein they reside . No State shall  make or enforce any law which shall abridge  the privileges or immunities of citizens of the  United States; nor shall any State deprive any  person of life, liberty, or property, without due  process of law; nor deny to any person within  its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws . **Section 2** Representatives shall be apportioned among  the several States according to their respective  numbers, counting the whole number of  persons in each State, excluding Indians  not taxed . But when the right to vote at any  election for the choice of electors for President  and Vice-President of the United States,  {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto043.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} **43** Representatives in Congress, the Executive  and Judicial officers of a State, or the members  of the Legislature thereof, is denied to any  of the male inhabitants of such State, being  twenty-one years of age,2 and citizens of the  United States, or in any way abridged, except  for participation in rebellion, or other crime,  the basis of representation therein shall be  reduced in the proportion which the number  of such male citizens shall bear to the whole  number of male citizens twenty-one years of  age in such State . **Section 3** No person shall be a Senator or Representative  in Congress, or elector of President and Vice- President, or hold any office, civil or military,  under the United States, or under any State,  who, having previously taken an oath, as a  member of Congress, or as an officer of the  United States, or as a member of any State  legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer  of any State, to support the Constitution  of the United States, shall have engaged in  insurrection or rebellion against the same, or  given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof .  But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of  each House, remove such disability . **Section 4** The validity of the public debt of the United  States, authorized by law, including debts  incurred for payment of pensions and bounties  for services in suppressing insurrection or  rebellion, shall not be questioned . But neither  the United States nor any State shall assume  or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid  2 . Changed by Section 1 of the Twenty-Sixth Amendment . {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto044.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} **44** of insurrection or rebellion against the United  States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation  of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and  claims shall be held illegal and void . **Section 5** The Congress shall have the power to enforce,  by appropriate legislation, the provisions of  this article . **Amendment XV** //**Ratified February 3, 1870**// **Section 1** The right of citizens of the United States to  vote shall not be denied or abridged by the  United States or by any State on account of  race, color, or previous condition of servitude . **Section 2** The Congress shall have the power to enforce  this article by appropriate legislation . **Amendment XVI** //**Ratified February 3, 1913**// The Congress shall have power to lay and  collect taxes on incomes, from whatever  source derived, without apportionment  among the several States, and without regard  to any census or enumeration . **Amendment XVII** //**Ratified April 8, 1913**// The Senate of the United States shall be  composed of two Senators from each State,  elected by the people thereof, for six years; and  each Senator shall have one vote . The electors  in each State shall have the qualifications  requisite for electors of the most numerous  branch of the State legislatures . {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto045.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} **45** When vacancies happen in the representation of  any State in the Senate, the executive authority  of such State shall issue writs of election to fill  such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature  of any State may empower the executive  thereof to make temporary appointments until  the people fill the vacancies by election as the  legislature may direct . This amendment shall not be so construed as  to affect the election or term of any Senator  chosen before it becomes valid as part of the  Constitution . **Amendment XVIII** //**Ratified January 16, 1919**// //**Repealed by Amendment XXI**// **Section 1** After one year from the ratification of this  article the manufacture, sale, or transportation  of intoxicating liquors within, the importation  thereof into, or the exportation thereof from  the United States and all territory subject to  the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes  is hereby prohibited . **Section 2** The Congress and the several States shall  have concurrent power to enforce this article  by appropriate legislation . **Section 3** This article shall be inoperative unless it shall  have been ratified as an amendment to the  Constitution by the legislatures of the several  States, as provided in the Constitution, within  seven years from the date of the submission  hereof to the States by the Congress . {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto046.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} **46** **Amendment XIX** //**Ratified August 18, 1920**// The right of citizens of the United States to vote  shall not be denied or abridged by the United  States or by any State on account of sex . Congress shall have power to enforce this  article by appropriate legislation . **Amendment XX** //**Ratified January 23, 1933**// **Section 1** The terms of the President and the Vice  President shall end at noon on the 20th day  of January, and the terms of Senators and  Representatives at noon on the 3d day of  January, of the years in which such terms  would have ended if this article had not been  ratified; and the terms of their successors  shall then begin . **Section 2** The Congress shall assemble at least once  in every year, and such meeting shall begin  at noon on the 3d day of January, unless  they shall by law appoint a different day . **Section 3** If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the  term of the President, the President elect  shall have died, the Vice President elect shall  become President . If a President shall not  have been chosen before the time fixed for  the beginning of his term, or if the President  elect shall have failed to qualify, then the  Vice President elect shall act as President  until a President shall have qualified; and  the Congress may by law provide for the  {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto047.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} **47** case wherein neither a President elect nor a  Vice President shall have qualified, declaring  who shall then act as President, or the manner  in which one who is to act shall be selected,  and such person shall act accordingly until  a President or Vice President shall have  qualified . **Section 4** The Congress may by law provide for the  case of the death of any of the persons from  whom the House of Representatives may  choose a President whenever the right of  choice shall have devolved upon them, and  for the case of the death of any of the persons  from whom the Senate may choose a Vice  President whenever the right of choice shall  have devolved upon them . **Section 5** Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect on the 15th  day of October following the ratification of  this article . **Section 6** This article shall be inoperative unless it  shall have been ratified as an amendment to  the Constitution by the legislatures of three- fourths of the several States within seven years  from the date of its submission . **Amendment XXI** //**Ratified December 5, 1933**// **Section 1** The eighteenth article of amendment to the  Constitution of the United States is hereby  repealed . {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto048.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} **48** **Section 2** The transportation or importation into  any State, Territory, or Possession of the  United States for delivery or use therein of  intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws  thereof, is hereby prohibited . **Section 3** This article shall be inoperative unless it shall  have been ratified as an amendment to the  Constitution by conventions in the several  States, as provided in the Constitution, within  seven years from the date of the submission  hereof to the States by the Congress . **Amendment XXII** //**Ratified February 27, 1951**// **Section 1** No person shall be elected to the office  of the President more than twice, and no  person who has held the office of President,  or acted as President, for more than two  years of a term to which some other person  was elected President shall be elected to the  office of President more than once . But this  Article shall not apply to any person holding  the office of President when this Article  was proposed by Congress, and shall not  prevent any person who may be holding the  office of President, or acting as President,  during the term within which this Article  becomes operative from holding the office  of President or acting as President during  the remainder of such term . **Section 2** This article shall be inoperative unless it  shall have been ratified as an amendment  {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto049.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} **49** to the Constitution by the legislatures of  three-fourths of the several States within  seven years from the date of its submission  to the States by the Congress . **Amendment XXIII** //**Ratified March 29, 1961**// **Section 1** The District constituting the seat of  Government of the United States shall appoint  in such manner as Congress may direct: A number of electors of President and Vice  President equal to the whole number of  Senators and Representatives in Congress to  which the District would be entitled if it were  a State, but in no event more than the least  populous State; they shall be in addition to  those appointed by the States, but they shall  be considered, for the purposes of the election  of President and Vice President, to be electors  appointed by a State; and they shall meet  in the District and perform such duties as  provided by the twelfth article of amendment . **Section 2** The Congress shall have power to enforce this  article by appropriate legislation . **Amendment XXIV** //**Ratified January 23, 1964**// **Section 1** The right of citizens of the United States to vote  in any primary or other election for President  or Vice President, for electors for President or  Vice President, or for Senator or Representative  in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by  {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto050.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} **50** the United States or any State by reason of failure  to pay poll tax or other tax . **Section 2** The Congress shall have power to enforce this  article by appropriate legislation . **Amendment XXV** //**Ratified February 10, 1967**// **Section 1** In case of the removal of the President from  office or of his death or resignation, the Vice  President shall become President . **Section 2** Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the  Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice  President who shall take office upon confirmation  by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress . **Section 3** Whenever the President transmits to the  President pro tempore of the Senate and  the Speaker of the House of Representatives  his written declaration that he is unable to  discharge the powers and duties of his office,  and until he transmits to them a written  declaration to the contrary, such powers and  duties shall be discharged by the Vice President  as Acting President . **Section 4** Whenever the Vice President and a majority  of either the principal officers of the executive  departments or of such other body as  Congress may by law provide, transmit to the  {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto051.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} **51** President pro tempore of the Senate and  the Speaker of the House of Representatives  their written declaration that the President  is unable to discharge the powers and  duties of his office, the Vice President shall  immediately assume the powers and duties  of the office as Acting President .       Thereafter, when the President transmits to  the President pro tempore of the Senate and  the Speaker of the House of Representatives  his written declaration that no inability  exists, he shall resume the powers and duties  of his office unless the Vice President and a  majority of either the principal officers of  the executive department or of such other  body as Congress may by law provide,  transmit within four days to the President  pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker  of the House of Representatives their  written declaration that the President is  unable to discharge the powers and duties of  his office . Thereupon Congress shall decide  the issue, assembling within forty-eight  hours for that purpose if not in session . If  the Congress, within twenty-one days after  receipt of the latter written declaration,  or, if Congress is not in session, within  twenty-one days after Congress is required  to assemble, determines by two-thirds vote  of both Houses that the President is unable  to discharge the powers and duties of his  office, the Vice President shall continue to  discharge the same as Acting President;  otherwise, the President shall resume the  powers and duties of his office . {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto052.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} **52** **Amendment XXVI** //**Ratified July 1, 1971**// **Section 1** The  right  of  citizens  of  the  United  States,  who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote  shall not be denied or abridged by the United  States or by any State on account of age. **Section 2** The Congress shall have power to enforce this  article by appropriate legislation. **Amendment XXVII** //**Ratified May 7, 1992**// No  law,  varying  the  compensation  for  the  services  of  the  Senators  and  Representatives,  shall  take  effect,  until  an  election  of  representatives shall have intervened. {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto053.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} //**“Only a Convention of **// //**States will give us effective **// //**solutions to the abuse of \\ power in Washington, D.C. **// //**It is our moral obligation to **// //**protect liberty for ourselves \\ and our posterity.” **// //** — Michael Farris,**// //**Convention of States **// //**Co-Founder**// //**“This is about more than **// //**elections. Elections cannot \\ and will not solve the \\ problems of a broken system. **// //**The only solution big enough **// //**to fix our nation’s problems \\ is a Convention of States for **// //**proposing constitutional **// //**amendments to rein in **// //**federal tyranny.” **// //** — Mark Meckler,**// //**Convention of States **// //**President & Co-Founder**// {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto054.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} **Sign the Petition** **Donate Today!** **Learn More** QR  for  Petition QR for  Donation QR  for  Website **NONE OF OUR WORK **would be possible  without the help and support of every American \\ citizen who has chosen freedom over government  intrusion  and  to  preserve  our  precious  liberties. Your \\ support, at this critical time, will allow us to achieve our \\ goal of permanently limiting government overreach. **ConventionOf States.com** {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto055.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} //**“By the fifth article of the **// //**plan... We may safely rely on \\ the disposition of the State \\ legislatures to erect barriers \\ against the encroachments of \\ the national authority.” **// //** — Alexander Hamilton,\\      Federalist No. 85**// {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_10616_pdfto056.png?nolink&351x702 |background image}} **ConventionOf States.com** ====== Document Outline ====== * [[files_10616_pdfto.html#2|COSA_Store_PocketUSConstitution_COSA2022_Cover]] ----