Speaker 1: The Constitution of the United States of America. This is
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Speaker 1: This reading by Alison Hester of Athens, Georgia. Problems in
Speaker 1: American Democracy by Times Williamson Appendix The Constitution of the
Speaker 1: United States of America. We, the people of the United States,
Speaker 1: in order to form a more perfect union, established justice,
Speaker 1: insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the
Speaker 1: general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves
Speaker 1: and our posterity. Do ordain and establish this Constitution for
Speaker 1: the United States of America. Article I, Section one. All
Speaker 1: legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress
Speaker 1: of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate
Speaker 1: and a House of Representatives. Section two, Part one. The
Speaker 1: House of Representatives shall be composed of members chosen every
Speaker 1: second year by the people of the several States, and
Speaker 1: the electors in each state shall have the qualifications requisite
Speaker 1: for electors of the most numerous branch of the state legislature.
Speaker 1: Section two, Part two. No person shall be a representative
Speaker 1: who shall not have attained to the age of twenty
Speaker 1: five years and been seven years a citizen of the
Speaker 1: United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an
Speaker 1: inhabitant of that state in which he shall be chosen.
Speaker 1: Section two, Part three. Representatives and direct taxes shall be
Speaker 1: apportioned among the several states which may be included within
Speaker 1: this Union, according to their respective numbers, which shall be
Speaker 1: the determined by adding to the whole number of free persons,
Speaker 1: including those bound to service for a term of years,
Speaker 1: and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other persons.
Speaker 1: The actual enumeration shall be made within three years after
Speaker 1: the first meeting of the Congress of the United States,
Speaker 1: and within every subsequent term of ten years, in such
Speaker 1: a manner as they shall by law direct. The number
Speaker 1: of representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty thousand,
Speaker 1: but each state shall have at least one representatives, and
Speaker 1: until such enumeration shall be made, the state of New
Speaker 1: Hampshire shall be entitled to choose three. Massachusetts eight, Rhode
Speaker 1: Island and Providence Plantations one, Connecticut five, New York six,
Speaker 1: New Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six Virginia, Tia,
Speaker 1: North Carolina five, South Carolina five, and Georgia three. Section two,
Speaker 1: Part four. When vacancies happen in the representation from any state,
Speaker 1: the executive authority thereof shall issue writs of election to
Speaker 1: fill such vacancies. Section two, Part five. The House of
Speaker 1: Representatives shall choose their speaker and other officers, and shall
Speaker 1: have the sole power of impeachment. Article one. Section three,
Speaker 1: Part one. The Senate of the United States shall be
Speaker 1: composed of two senators from each state, chosen by the
Speaker 1: legislature thereof, for six years, and each senator shall have
Speaker 1: one vote. Section three, Part two. Immediately after they shall
Speaker 1: be assembled in consequence of the first election. They shall
Speaker 1: be divided, as equally as may be, into three classes.
Speaker 1: The seats of the senators of the first class shall
Speaker 1: be vacated at the expiration of the second year, of
Speaker 1: the second class at the expiration of the fourth year,
Speaker 1: and of the third class at the expiration of the
Speaker 1: sixth year, so that one third may be chosen every
Speaker 1: second year. And if vacancies happen by resignation or otherwise
Speaker 1: during the recess of the legislature of any state, the
Speaker 1: executive thereof may make temporary appointments until the next meeting
Speaker 1: of the Legislature, which shall then fill such vacancies. Section three,
Speaker 1: Part three. No person shall be a Senator who shall
Speaker 1: not have attained to the age of thirty years and
Speaker 1: been nine years a citizen of the United States, and
Speaker 1: who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that
Speaker 1: state for which he shall be chosen. Section three Part four.
Speaker 1: The Vice President of the United States shall be the
Speaker 1: President of the Senate, but shall have no vote unless
Speaker 1: they be equally divine. Five. The Senates shall choose their
Speaker 1: other officers, and also a President pro temper in the
Speaker 1: absence of the Vice President or when he shall exercise
Speaker 1: the office of the President of the United States. Six.
Speaker 1: The Senate shall have the sole power to try all impeachments.
Speaker 1: When sitting for that purpose, they shall be on oath
Speaker 1: or affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried,
Speaker 1: the Chief Justice shall preside, and no person shall be
Speaker 1: convicted without the concurrence of two thirds of the members present. Seven.
Speaker 1: Judgment in cases of impeachment shall not extend further than
Speaker 1: to removal from office and disqualification to hold and enjoy
Speaker 1: any office of honor, trust, or profit under the United States,
Speaker 1: but the party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject
Speaker 1: to indictment, trial, judgment, and punishment. According to law. Section
Speaker 1: four one, the times, places in manner of holding elections
Speaker 1: for senators and representatives shall be prescribed in each state
Speaker 1: by the legislature thereof. But the Congress may at any time,
Speaker 1: by law make or alter such regulations, except as to
Speaker 1: the places of choosing senators. Two. The Congress shall assemble
Speaker 1: at least once in every year. In such meetings shall
Speaker 1: be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall,
Speaker 1: by law appoint a different day. Section five One. Each
Speaker 1: House shall be the judge of the elections, returns, and
Speaker 1: qualifications of its own members, and a majority of each
Speaker 1: shall constitute a quorum to do business, But a smaller
Speaker 1: number may adjourn from day to day, and may be
Speaker 1: authorized to compel the attendants of absent members in such
Speaker 1: manner and under such penalties as each House may provide. Two.
Speaker 1: Each House may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish
Speaker 1: its members for disorderly behavior, and with the concurrence of
Speaker 1: two thirds, expel a member. Three. Each House shall keep
Speaker 1: a journal of its proceedings, and from time to time
Speaker 1: publish the same, accepting such parts as may, in their judgment,
Speaker 1: require secrecy. And the yeas and nays of the members
Speaker 1: of either House on any question, shall, at the desire
Speaker 1: of one fifth of those present, be entered on the journal. Four.
Speaker 1: Neither house, during the session of Congress, shall, without the
Speaker 1: consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days,
Speaker 1: nor to any other place than that in which the
Speaker 1: two houses shall be sitting. Section six One. The senators
Speaker 1: and representatives shall receive a compensation for their services, to
Speaker 1: be ascertained by law and paid out of the treasure
Speaker 1: of the United States. They shall, in all cases except treason, felony,
Speaker 1: and breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest during
Speaker 1: their attendance at the session of their respective houses, and
Speaker 1: in going to and returning from the same, and for
Speaker 1: any speech or debate in either House. They shall not
Speaker 1: be questioned in any other place. Two. No senator or
Speaker 1: Representative shall, during the time for which he was elected,
Speaker 1: be appointed to any civil office under the authority of
Speaker 1: the United States, which shall have been created, or the
Speaker 1: emoluments whereof shall have been increased during such a time.
Speaker 1: And no person holding any office under the United States,
Speaker 1: shall be a member of either House during his continuance
Speaker 1: in office. Section seven. All bills for raising revenue shall
Speaker 1: originate in the House of Representatives, but the Senate may
Speaker 1: propose or concur with amendments, as on other bills. Two.
Speaker 1: Every bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives
Speaker 1: and the Senate, shall, before it became law, be presented
Speaker 1: to the President of the United States. If he approve,
Speaker 1: he shall sign it, but if not, he shall return
Speaker 1: it with his objections to that house in which it
Speaker 1: shall have originated, who shall enter the objections at large
Speaker 1: on their journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after
Speaker 1: such reconsideration, two thirds of that House shall agree to
Speaker 1: pass the bill, it shall be sent together with the objections,
Speaker 1: to the other house, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered,
Speaker 1: and if approved by two thirds of that house, it
Speaker 1: shall become a law. But in all such cases, the
Speaker 1: votes of both houses shall be determined by yays and nays,
Speaker 1: and the names of the persons voting for and against
Speaker 1: the bill shall be entered on the journal of each
Speaker 1: house respectively. If any bill shall not be returned by
Speaker 1: the President within ten days, Sundays, excepted after it shall
Speaker 1: have been presented to him. The same shall be a
Speaker 1: law in like manner as if he had signed it,
Speaker 1: unless the Congress, by their adjournment, prevent its return, in
Speaker 1: which case it shall not be a law. Three. Every order, resolution,
Speaker 1: or vote to which the concurrence of the Senate and
Speaker 1: House of Representatives may be necessary, except on a question
Speaker 1: of adjournment, shall be presented to the President of the
Speaker 1: United States, and before the same shall take effect, shall
Speaker 1: be approved by him, or, being disapproved by him, shall
Speaker 1: be repassed by two thirds of the Senate and House
Speaker 1: of Representatives. According to the rules and limitations prescribed in
Speaker 1: the case of a bill. Section eight, The Congress shall
Speaker 1: have power one to lay in an collect taxes, duties, imposts,
Speaker 1: and excises to pay the debts and provide for the
Speaker 1: common defense and general welfare of the United States. But
Speaker 1: all duties, imposts, and excises shall be uniform throughout the
Speaker 1: United States. Two to borrow money on the credit of
Speaker 1: the United States. Three to regulate commerce with foreign nations
Speaker 1: and among the several States and with the Indian tribes.
Speaker 1: Four to establish a uniform rule of naturalization and uniform
Speaker 1: laws on the subject of bankruptcies throughout the United States.
Speaker 1: Five to coin money, regulate the value thereof and of
Speaker 1: foreign coin, and fix the standards of weight and measures.
Speaker 1: Six To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting and securities
Speaker 1: and current coin of the United States. Seven To establish
Speaker 1: post offices and post wary roads. Eight To promote the
Speaker 1: progress of science and useful arts by securing, for limited
Speaker 1: times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their
Speaker 1: respective writings and discoveries. Nine To constitute tribunals inferior to
Speaker 1: the Supreme Court. Ten To define and punish piracies and
Speaker 1: felonies committed on the high seas and offenses against the
Speaker 1: law of Nations. Eleven to declare war, grant letters of
Speaker 1: mark and reprisal, and make rules concerning captures on land
Speaker 1: and water. Twelve To raise and support armies, but no
Speaker 1: appropriation of money to that use shall be for a
Speaker 1: longer term than two years. Thirteen To provide and maintain
Speaker 1: a navy. Fourteen to make rules for the government and
Speaker 1: regulation of the land and naval forces. Fifteen to provide
Speaker 1: for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of
Speaker 1: the Union, suppress insurrections, and repel invasions. Sixteen To provide
Speaker 1: for organizing, arming, and disciplining the militia, and for governing
Speaker 1: such part of them as may be employed in the
Speaker 1: service of the United States, reserving to the States, respectively,
Speaker 1: the appointment of the officers and the authority of training
Speaker 1: the militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress. Seventeen.
Speaker 1: To exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever over such
Speaker 1: district not exceeding ten miles square, as may, by secession
Speaker 1: of particular States and the acceptance of Congress, become the
Speaker 1: seat of government of the United States. And to exercise
Speaker 1: like authority over all places purchased by the consent of
Speaker 1: the legislature of the state, in which the same shall
Speaker 1: be for the erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, dockyard, words,
Speaker 1: and other needful buildings. And eighteen eighteen To make all
Speaker 1: laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into
Speaker 1: execution the foregoing powers and all other powers vested by
Speaker 1: this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or
Speaker 1: in any department or office Thereof Section nine one, the
Speaker 1: migration or importation of such persons as any of the
Speaker 1: States now existing, shall think proper to admit shall not
Speaker 1: be prohibited by the Congress prior to the year eighteen
Speaker 1: o eight, but a tax or duty may be imposed
Speaker 1: on such importation not exceeding ten dollars for each person. Two.
Speaker 1: The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not
Speaker 1: be suspended, unless, when in cases of rebellion or invasion,
Speaker 1: the public safety may require it. Three. No bill of
Speaker 1: attainder or expost facto law shall be passed. Four. No
Speaker 1: capitation or other direct tax shall be laid unless in
Speaker 1: proportion to the senses or enumeration herein before directed to
Speaker 1: be taken. Five. No tax or duties shall be laid
Speaker 1: on articles exported from any state. Six. No preference shall
Speaker 1: be given by any regulation of commerce or revenue to
Speaker 1: the ports of one state over those of another, Nor
Speaker 1: shall vessels bound to or from one state be obliged
Speaker 1: to enter, clear or pay duties in another. Seven. No
Speaker 1: money shall be drawn from the treasury, but in consequence
Speaker 1: of appropriations made by law and a regular statement, an
Speaker 1: account of receipts and expenditures of all public money shall
Speaker 1: be published from time to time. Eight. No title of
Speaker 1: nobility shall be granted by the United States, and no
Speaker 1: person holding any office of profit or trust under them,
Speaker 1: shall without the consent of the Congress, except of any
Speaker 1: present emolument, office, or title of any kind whatever, from
Speaker 1: any King, prince, or foreign state. Section ten One No
Speaker 1: State shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or confederation, grant
Speaker 1: letters of mark and reprisal coin, money, emit bills of credit,
Speaker 1: make anything but gold and silver coin a tender in
Speaker 1: payment of debts, pass any bill of attainder expost facto
Speaker 1: law or law impairing the obligation of contracts, or grant
Speaker 1: any title of nobility. Two. No State shall, without the
Speaker 1: consent of Congress, lay any imposts or duties on imports
Speaker 1: or exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing
Speaker 1: its inspection laws. And the net produce of all duties
Speaker 1: and imposts laid by any State on imports or exports
Speaker 1: shall be for the use of the Treasury of the
Speaker 1: United States, And all such laws shall be subject to
Speaker 1: the revision and control of the Congress. Three. No State shall,
Speaker 1: without the consent of Congress, lay any duty of tonnage,
Speaker 1: keep troops or ships of war in times of peace,
Speaker 1: enter into any agreement or compact with another state or
Speaker 1: with a foreign power, or engage in war unless actually
Speaker 1: invaded or in such imminent danger as will not admit
Speaker 1: of delay. Article two. Section one One. The executive power
Speaker 1: shall be vested in a President of the United States
Speaker 1: of America. He shall hold his office during the term
Speaker 1: of four years, and together with the vice President chosen
Speaker 1: for the same term, be elected as follows. Two. Each
Speaker 1: state shall appoint in such a manner as the legislature
Speaker 1: thereof may direct a number of elect work equal to
Speaker 1: the whole number of senators and representatives to which the
Speaker 1: state may be entitled in the Congress. But no senator
Speaker 1: or representative, or person holding an office of trust or
Speaker 1: profit under the United States shall be appointed an elector.
Speaker 1: The electors shall meet in their respective states and vote
Speaker 1: by ballot for two persons of whom one at least
Speaker 1: shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves,
Speaker 1: And they shall make a list of all the persons
Speaker 1: voted for, and of the number of votes for each,
Speaker 1: which list they shall sign and certify and transmit sealed
Speaker 1: to the Seat of Government of the United States, directed
Speaker 1: to the President of the Senate. The President of the
Speaker 1: Senate shall in the presence of the Senate and the
Speaker 1: House of Representatives open all the certificates, and the votes
Speaker 1: shall then be counted. The person having the greatest number
Speaker 1: of votes shall be the President, if such number be
Speaker 1: a majority of the whole number of electors appointed, and
Speaker 1: if there be more than one who have such a
Speaker 1: majority and have an equal number of votes, then the
Speaker 1: House of Representatives shall immediately choose by ballot one of
Speaker 1: them for president. And if no person has a majority,
Speaker 1: then from the five highest on the list, the said
Speaker 1: House shall in like manner choose the president. But in
Speaker 1: choosing the president, the votes shall be taken by the states.
Speaker 1: The representation from each state having one vote. A quorum
Speaker 1: for this purpose shall consist of a member or members
Speaker 1: from two thirds of the states, and a majority of
Speaker 1: all the states shall be necessary to a choice. In
Speaker 1: every case, after the choice of the president, the person
Speaker 1: having the greatest number of votes of the electors shall
Speaker 1: be the vice president. But if there should remain two
Speaker 1: or more who have equal votes, the Senate shall choose
Speaker 1: from them by ballot VI President. Three. The Congress may
Speaker 1: determine the time of choosing the electors and the day
Speaker 1: on which they shall give their votes, which day shall
Speaker 1: be the same throughout the United States. Four. No person
Speaker 1: except a natural worn citizen or a citizen of the
Speaker 1: United States at the time of the adoption of this
Speaker 1: Constitution shall be eligible to the office of President. Neither
Speaker 1: shall any person be eligible to that office who shall
Speaker 1: not have attained to the age of thirty five years
Speaker 1: and been fourteen years a resident within the United States. Five.
Speaker 1: In case of the removal of the President from office,
Speaker 1: or of his death, resignation, or inability to discharge the
Speaker 1: powers and duties of the said office, the same shall
Speaker 1: devolve on the Vice President, and the Congress may by
Speaker 1: law provide for the case of removal, death, resignation, or inability,
Speaker 1: both of the President and the Vice President, declaring what
Speaker 1: officer shall then act as president, and such officers shall
Speaker 1: act accordingly until the disability be removed or a president
Speaker 1: shall be elected. Six. The President shall at stated times
Speaker 1: receive for his services a compensation which shall neither be
Speaker 1: increased nor diminished during the period for which he shall
Speaker 1: have been elected, And he shall not receive within that
Speaker 1: period any other emolument from the United States or any
Speaker 1: of them. Seven Before he enters the execution of his office,
Speaker 1: he shall take the following oath or affirmation. I do
Speaker 1: solemnly swear or affirm that I will faithfully execute the
Speaker 1: office of the President of the United States, and will,
Speaker 1: to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend
Speaker 1: the Constitution of the United States. Section two one. The
Speaker 1: President shall be Commander in chief of the Army and
Speaker 1: the Navy of the United States, and of the Militia
Speaker 1: of the Several States. When called into the actual service
Speaker 1: of the United States, he may require the opinion in
Speaker 1: writing of the Principal Officer in each of the Executive
Speaker 1: Departments upon any subject relating to the duties of their
Speaker 1: respective offices. And he shall have power to grant reprieves
Speaker 1: and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in
Speaker 1: cases of impeachment. Two. He shall have power, by and
Speaker 1: with the advice and consent of the Senate to make treaties,
Speaker 1: provided two thirds of the Senators present concur and he
Speaker 1: shall nominate, and, by and with the advice and consent
Speaker 1: of the Senate, shall appoint ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls,
Speaker 1: judges of the Supreme Court, and all other officers of
Speaker 1: the United States whose appointments are not herein otherwise provided
Speaker 1: for wars, and which shall be established by law. But
Speaker 1: the Congress may by law vest the appointment of such
Speaker 1: inferior officers as they think proper in the President alone,
Speaker 1: in the courts of law, or in the heads of departments. Three.
Speaker 1: The President shall have power to fill up all vacancies
Speaker 1: that may happen during the recess of the Senate by
Speaker 1: granting commissions which shall expire at the end of their
Speaker 1: next session. Section three. He shall, from time to time
Speaker 1: give to the Congress information of the state of the Union,
Speaker 1: and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall
Speaker 1: judge necessary and expedient. He may, on extraordinary occasions, convene
Speaker 1: both houses or either of them, And in case of
Speaker 1: disagreement between them with respect to the time of adjournment,
Speaker 1: he may adjourn them to such time as he shall
Speaker 1: think proper. He shall receive ambassadors and other public ministers.
Speaker 1: He shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed,
Speaker 1: and shall commission all the officers of the United States.
Speaker 1: Section four. The President, vice President, and all civil officers
Speaker 1: of the United States shall be removed from office on
Speaker 1: impeachment for and on conviction of treason. Bribery or other
Speaker 1: high crimes and misdemeanors. Article three. Section one one. The
Speaker 1: judicial power of the United States shall be vested in
Speaker 1: one Supreme Court and in such inferior courts as Congress may,
Speaker 1: from time to time ordain and establish. The judges both
Speaker 1: of the Supreme and inferior courts, shall hold their offices
Speaker 1: during good behavior, and shall at stated times receive for
Speaker 1: their services a compensation which shall not be diminished during
Speaker 1: their continuance in office. Section two one. The judicial shall
Speaker 1: extend to all cases in law and equity arising under
Speaker 1: this Constitution, the laws of the United States and treaties
Speaker 1: made or which shall be made under their authority, To
Speaker 1: all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers, and consuls. To
Speaker 1: all cases of admiralty jurisdiction, to controversies to which the
Speaker 1: United States shall be a party, to controversies between two
Speaker 1: or more states, between a state and citizens of another state,
Speaker 1: between citizens of different states, between citizens of the same
Speaker 1: state claiming lands under grants of different states, And between
Speaker 1: a state or the citizens thereof and foreign states, citizens
Speaker 1: or subjects. Two. In all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers,
Speaker 1: and consuls, and those in which a state shall be
Speaker 1: a party. The Supreme Court shall have original jurisdiction. In
Speaker 1: all other cases before mentioned, dreame Court shall have appellate jurisdiction,
Speaker 1: both as to law and fact, with such exceptions and
Speaker 1: under such regulations as the Congress shall make. Three, The
Speaker 1: trial of all crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shall
Speaker 1: be by jury, and such trial shall be held in
Speaker 1: the state where the said crimes shall have been committed,
Speaker 1: But when not committed within any state, the trial shall
Speaker 1: be at such place or places as the Congress may
Speaker 1: by law have directed. Section three One. Treason against the
Speaker 1: United States shall consist only in levying war against them,
Speaker 1: or in adhering to their enemies giving them aid and comfort.
Speaker 1: No person shall be convicted of treason unless on the
Speaker 1: testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or
Speaker 1: on confession and open court. Two. The Congress shall have
Speaker 1: power to declare the punishment of treason, but no attack
Speaker 1: of treason shall work corruption of blood or forfeiture, except
Speaker 1: during the life of the person attainted. Article four. Section one,
Speaker 1: Full faith and credit shall be given in each state
Speaker 1: to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every
Speaker 1: other state, and the Congress may, by general laws, prescribe
Speaker 1: the manner in which such acts, records, and proceedings shall
Speaker 1: be proved, and the effect thereof Section two One. The
Speaker 1: citizens of each state shall be entitled to all privileges
Speaker 1: and immunities of citizens in the several states. Two. A
Speaker 1: person charged in any state with treason, felony, or other crime,
Speaker 1: who shall flee from justice and be found in another state, shall,
Speaker 1: on the demand of the executive authority of the state
Speaker 1: from which he fled, be delivered up to be removed
Speaker 1: to the state having jurisdiction of the crime. Three. No
Speaker 1: person held to service or labor in one state under
Speaker 1: the laws thereof escaping into another, shall, in consequence of
Speaker 1: any law or regulation therein, be discharged from such service
Speaker 1: or labor, but shall be delivered up on claim of
Speaker 1: the party to whom such service or labor may be due.
Speaker 1: Section three One. New states may be admitted by the
Speaker 1: Congress into this Union, but no new states shall be
Speaker 1: formed or erected within the jurisdiction of any other state,
Speaker 1: nor any state be formed by the junction of two
Speaker 1: or more states or parts of states, without the consent
Speaker 1: of the legislatures of the states concerned, as well as
Speaker 1: of the Congress. Two. The Congress shall have power to
Speaker 1: dispose of and make all needful rules and regulations respecting
Speaker 1: the territory or other property belonging to the United States.
Speaker 1: And nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as
Speaker 1: to prejudice any claims of the unit United States or
Speaker 1: of any particular state. Section four. The United States shall
Speaker 1: guarantee to every state in this Union a republican form
Speaker 1: of government, and shall protect each of them against invasion,
Speaker 1: and on application of the legislature or of the executive,
Speaker 1: when the legislature cannot be convened, against domestic violence. Article five.
Speaker 1: The Congress, whenever two thirds of both houses shall deem
Speaker 1: it necessary, shall propose amendments to this Constitution, or, on
Speaker 1: the application of the legislatures of two thirds of the
Speaker 1: several States, shall call a convention for proposing amendments, which
Speaker 1: in either case shall be valid to all intents and
Speaker 1: purposes as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the
Speaker 1: legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by
Speaker 1: conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the
Speaker 1: other mode of ratification may be proposed by Congress, provided
Speaker 1: that noemis which may be made prior to the year
Speaker 1: one thousand, eight hundred and eight shall in any manner
Speaker 1: affect the first and fourth clauses in the ninth section
Speaker 1: of the first Article, and that no state without its
Speaker 1: consent shall be deprived of its equal suffrage in the
Speaker 1: Senate Article six One, all debts contracted and engagements entered
Speaker 1: into before the adoption of this Constitution shall be as
Speaker 1: valid against the United States under this Constitution as under
Speaker 1: the Confederation. Two. This Constitution and the laws of the
Speaker 1: United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof, and
Speaker 1: all treaties made or which shall be made under the
Speaker 1: authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law
Speaker 1: of the land, and the judges in every state shall
Speaker 1: be bound thereby anything in the constitution or laws of
Speaker 1: any state to the contrary. Notwithstanding three, the Senators and
Speaker 1: representatives before mentioned, and the members of the several state legislatures,
Speaker 1: and all executive and judicial officers, both of the United
Speaker 1: States and of the several States, shall be bound by
Speaker 1: oath or affirmation to support this Constitution. But no religious
Speaker 1: test shall ever be required as a qualification to any
Speaker 1: office or public trust under the United States. Article seven,
Speaker 1: The ratification of the Conventions of nine States shall be
Speaker 1: sufficient for the establishment of this Constitution between the States,
Speaker 1: so ratifying the same done in convention by the unanimous
Speaker 1: consent of the States, present the seventeenth day in September,
Speaker 1: in the year of our Lord one thousand, seven hundred
Speaker 1: and eighty seven, and of the Independence of the United
Speaker 1: States of America, the twelfth in witness, whereof we have
Speaker 1: hereunto subscribed our names. Articles in addition to and amendment
Speaker 1: of the Constitution of the United States of America, proposed
Speaker 1: by Congress and ratified by the legislatures of the several States,
Speaker 1: pursuant to the fifth Article of the original Constitution footnote.
Speaker 1: The first ten amendments were adopted in seventeen ninety one
Speaker 1: and a footnote. Article one. Congress shall make no law
Speaker 1: respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,
Speaker 1: or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press,
Speaker 1: or of the right of the people peaceably to assemble
Speaker 1: and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Speaker 1: Article two. A well regulated militia, being necessary to the
Speaker 1: security of a free state. The right of the people
Speaker 1: to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. Article three.
Speaker 1: No soldiers shall, in time of peace be quartered in
Speaker 1: any house without the consent of the owner, nor in
Speaker 1: time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed
Speaker 1: by law. Article four. The right of the people to
Speaker 1: be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects against
Speaker 1: unreasonable searches and seizures shall not be violated, and no
Speaker 1: warrants shall issue but upon probable calls supported by oath
Speaker 1: or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched
Speaker 1: and the persons or things to be seized. Article five.
Speaker 1: No person shall be held to answer for a capital
Speaker 1: or an otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or
Speaker 1: indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in
Speaker 1: the land or naval forces, or in the militia when
Speaker 1: in actual service, in time of war or public danger.
Speaker 1: Nor shall any person be subject, for the same offense
Speaker 1: to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb.
Speaker 1: Nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be
Speaker 1: a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty,
Speaker 1: or property without due process of law. Nor shall private
Speaker 1: property be taken for public use without just compensation. Article six.
Speaker 1: In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right
Speaker 1: to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury
Speaker 1: of the state and district wherein the crime shall have
Speaker 1: been committed, which districts shall have been previously ascertained by law,
Speaker 1: and to be informed of the nature and cause of
Speaker 1: the accusation, to be confronted with the witnesses against him,
Speaker 1: to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor,
Speaker 1: and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.
Speaker 1: Article seven. In suits at common law, where the value
Speaker 1: and controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial
Speaker 1: by jury shall be preserved. In no fact tried by
Speaker 1: a jury shall be otherwise re examined in any court
Speaker 1: of the United States than according to the rules of
Speaker 1: the common law. Article eight. Excessive bail shall not be required,
Speaker 1: nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Speaker 1: Article nine. The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights
Speaker 1: shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained
Speaker 1: by the people. Article ten. The power is not delegated
Speaker 1: to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by
Speaker 1: it to the States, are reserved to the States, respectively,
Speaker 1: or to the people. Article eleven. The judicial power of
Speaker 1: the United States shall not be construed to extend to
Speaker 1: any suit in law or equity commenced or prosecuted against
Speaker 1: one of the United States by citizens of another state,
Speaker 1: or by citizens or subjects of any foreign state. Adopted
Speaker 1: in seventeen ninety eight. Article twelve. The electors shall meet
Speaker 1: in their respective states, vote by ballot for President and
Speaker 1: Vice president, one of whom at least shall not be
Speaker 1: an inhabitant of the same state with themselves. They shall
Speaker 1: name in their ballots the person voted for as president,
Speaker 1: and in distinct ballots, the person voted for as vice president.
Speaker 1: And they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted
Speaker 1: for as president and all persons voted for as vice president,
Speaker 1: and of the number of votes for each which lists
Speaker 1: they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the
Speaker 1: Seat of Government of the United States, directed to the
Speaker 1: President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall,
Speaker 1: in the presidence of the Senate and the House of Representatives,
Speaker 1: open all the certificates, and the votes shall then be counted.
Speaker 1: The person having the greatest number of votes for president
Speaker 1: shall be the president. If such a number be a
Speaker 1: majority of the whole number of electors appointed, and if
Speaker 1: no person have such a majority, then from the per
Speaker 1: persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the
Speaker 1: list of those voted for as president, the House of
Speaker 1: Representatives shall choose immediately by ballot the president. But in
Speaker 1: choosing the president, the votes shall be taken by states,
Speaker 1: the representation from each state having one vote. A quorum
Speaker 1: for this purpose shall consist of a member or members
Speaker 1: from two thirds of the states, and a majority of
Speaker 1: all the states shall be necessary to a choice. And
Speaker 1: if the House of Representatives shall not choose a president
Speaker 1: whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them before
Speaker 1: the fourth day of March next following then the vice
Speaker 1: president shall act as president. As in the case of
Speaker 1: the death or other constitutional disability of the president. The
Speaker 1: person having the greatest number of votes as vice president
Speaker 1: shall be the vice president. If such number be a
Speaker 1: majority of the whole number of electors appointed, and if
Speaker 1: no person have a majority, then from the two highest
Speaker 1: numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice President.
Speaker 1: A quorum for the purpose shall consist of two thirds
Speaker 1: of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of
Speaker 1: the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But
Speaker 1: no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall
Speaker 1: be eligible to that of Vice President of the United States.
Speaker 1: Adopted in eighteen ninety four, Article thirteen. Section one. Neither
Speaker 1: slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as punishment for crime whereof
Speaker 1: the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within
Speaker 1: the United States or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
Speaker 1: Section two. Congress shall have power to enforce this article
Speaker 1: by appropriate legislation. Adopted in eighteen sixty five Article fourteen.
Speaker 1: Section one. All persons born or naturalized in the United
Speaker 1: States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof are citizens of
Speaker 1: the United States and of the state wherein they reside.
Speaker 1: No States shall make or enforce any law which shall
Speaker 1: abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States.
Speaker 1: Nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty,
Speaker 1: or property without due process of law, nor deny to
Speaker 1: any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
Speaker 1: Section two. Representatives shall be apportioned among the several states
Speaker 1: according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of
Speaker 1: persons in each state, excluding Indians not taxed. But when
Speaker 1: the right to vote at any election for the choice
Speaker 1: of electors for President and vice President of the United States,
Speaker 1: representatives in Congress, the executive and judicial officers of a state,
Speaker 1: or the members of the legislature thereof is denied to
Speaker 1: any of the male inhabitants of such state being twenty
Speaker 1: one years of age and citizens of the United States,
Speaker 1: or in any way abridged, except for participation in rebellion
Speaker 1: or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be
Speaker 1: reduced in the proportion which the number of such male
Speaker 1: citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens
Speaker 1: twenty one years of age in such state. Section three.
Speaker 1: No person shall be a senator or representative in Congress,
Speaker 1: or elector of President and vice President, or hold any
Speaker 1: office civil or military under the United States or under
Speaker 1: any State, who having previously taken an oath as a
Speaker 1: member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States,
Speaker 1: or as a member of any state legislature, or as
Speaker 1: an executive or judicial officer of any state. To support
Speaker 1: the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in
Speaker 1: insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or
Speaker 1: comfort to the enemies there are, But Congress may, by
Speaker 1: a vote of two thirds in each House, remove such disability.
Speaker 1: Section four. The validity of the public debt of the
Speaker 1: United States authorized by law, including debts occurred for payments
Speaker 1: of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion,
Speaker 1: shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor
Speaker 1: any state shall assume or pay debt or obligation incurred
Speaker 1: in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States,
Speaker 1: or any claim for the laws or emancipation of any slave.
Speaker 1: But all such debts, obligations, and claims shall be held
Speaker 1: illegal and void. Section five. The Congress shall have power
Speaker 1: to enforce by appropriate legislation the provisions of this article
Speaker 1: adopted in eighteen sixty seven. Article fifteen. Section one, The
Speaker 1: right of citizens of the United States to vote shall
Speaker 1: not be denied or abridged by the United States or
Speaker 1: any State on account of race, color, or previous condition
Speaker 1: of servitude. Section two. The Congress shall have power to
Speaker 1: enforce this article by appropriate legislation adopted in eighteen seventy
Speaker 1: Article sixteen. The Congress shall have power to lay and
Speaker 1: collect taxes on incomes from whatever source derived, without apportionment
Speaker 1: among the several states, and without regard to any census
Speaker 1: or enumeration. Adopted in nineteen thirteen, Article seventeen. Section one,
Speaker 1: the Senate of the United States shall be composed of
Speaker 1: two senators from each state, elected by the people thereof
Speaker 1: for six years, and each senator shall have one vote.
Speaker 1: The electors in each state shall have the qualifications requisite
Speaker 1: for the electors of the most numerous branch of the
Speaker 1: state legislatures. Section two. When vacancies have happen been in
Speaker 1: the representation of any state in the Senate, the executive
Speaker 1: authority of such states shall issue writs of election to
Speaker 1: fill such vacancies, provided that the Legislature of any state
Speaker 1: may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until
Speaker 1: the people fill the vacancies by election, as the legislature
Speaker 1: may direct. Section three. This amendment shall not be so
Speaker 1: construed as to affect the election or term of any
Speaker 1: Senator chosen before it becomes valid. As part of the
Speaker 1: Constitution adopted in nineteen thirteen Article eighteen. Section one, after
Speaker 1: one year from the ratification of this article, the manufacture, sale,
Speaker 1: or transportation of intoxicating liquors within the importation thereof into
Speaker 1: or the exportation thereof from the United States an all
Speaker 1: territories subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is
Speaker 1: hereby prohibited. Section two. The Congress and the Several States
Speaker 1: shall have concurrent power to enforce this Article by appropriate legislation.
Speaker 1: Section three. This Article shall be inoperative unless it shall
Speaker 1: have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by
Speaker 1: the legislatures of the Several States, as provided by the Constitution,
Speaker 1: within seven years from the date of the submission hereof
Speaker 1: to the States by the Congress adopted in nineteen nineteen.
Speaker 1: Article nineteen. Section one. The right of citizens of the
Speaker 1: United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged
Speaker 1: by the United States or by any state on account
Speaker 1: of sex. Section two. The Congress shall have power to
Speaker 1: enforce this Article by appropriate legislation. End of the Constitution
Speaker 1: of the United States and end of Problems in American Democracy.
Speaker 1: This has been a LibriVox recording read by Alison Heston
Speaker 1: in February two thousand and eight m.