Article 1 Section 1

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. (original)

The power to make laws will be given to a legislature which we will call the Congress of the United states.  Congress will be divided into two houses:  The Senate and the House of Representatives. (simplified)

Article 1 Section 2

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. (original)

The members of the House of Representative will be elected every two years by the people of each state.  The voters in each state must meet the requirements they would have to meet to vote for their state lawmakers. (simplified)

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. (original)

In order to be a representative, a person: must be at least 25 years old, must have been a U.S. citizen for at least seven years, and must be a legal resident of the state he or she is elected to represent. (simplified)

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 free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons. The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and wiothin 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 make, 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. (original)

The number of representatives a state has and the taxes it pays depend on the number of people it has.  (Each slave was to be counted as three-fifths of a person, but this is no longer in effect because of Amendments 13 and 14).  The people will be counted within three years of the first meeting of Congress.  They will be counted every 10 years after that.  Until a census is done, we assign the number of representatives for each state listed. (This census is still done.)  Each state gets at least one representative no matter how small it is. (simplified)

When vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies. (original)

When a representative dies or resigns, the governor of the state must call an election so voters can pick a new representative. (simplified)

The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment. (original)

The Chairman of the House of Representatives is called the Speaker of the House.  The House chooses the Speaker and any other officers it wants.  The House alone has the power to impeach a government official.  (Impeach means to accuse a public official of a serious crime.) (simplified)

Article 1 Section 3

1. The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the Legislature thereof, for six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote. (original)

1. Each state will have two senators. Each senators will serve for six years. Each senator will have one vote in the Senate. (The Constitution at first said senate legislatures would elect senators. In 1913 Amendment 17 gave voters the right to elect senators directly.) (simplified)

2. Immediately after they shall be assembled in 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. (original)

2. When the Senate meets for the first time, it will be divided into three groups. The first group of senators will serve for two years. The second groups will serve for four years, and the third group will serve for six years. Then in the future, the terms will be staggered so that one third of the senators will be elected every two years. (If a senator dies or resigns, at first the Constitution gave state lawmakers the power to choose a new senator. Amendment 17 changed that. Now the governor calls for an election, or state lawmakers may tell the governor to choose a senator until the next election.) (simplified)

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. (original)

3. In order to be a senator, a person:

• must be at least 30 years old,

• must have been a U.S. citizen for at least nine years, and

• must be a legal resident of the state he or she is elected to represent

(simplified)

4. The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.

4. The Vice President of the United States will also be the president of the Senate. (This is the only job the Constitution assigns to the U.S. Vice President.) The Vice President will have a vote only when there is a tie. (simplified)

5. 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. (original)

5. The senators may elect any other officers they need. They will have a president pro tempore (for the time being), who will serve as chairman if the U.S. Vice President is absent. (simplified)

6. 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. (original)

6. If the House of Representatives impeaches a public official, the Senate is the jury for the trial. Senators are under oath during the trial. If the President of the United States is impeached, the judge will be the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. It takes a vote of two thirds of the senators at the trial for a person to be convicted (found guilty) (simplified)

7. 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. (original)

7. Officials who are convicted by the Senate are removed from government office. They cannot hold any other office. They will not be punished in any other way, but they may have no stand trial in the regular courts. (simplified)

Article 1 Section 4

1. 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. (original)

1. Each state may decide when, where, and how its senators and representatives are elected. Congress can make laws to ensure the honesty and fairness of national elections. (simplified)

2.The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year, and such Meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by Law appoint a different Day. (original)

2. Congress must meet at least once a year. (The Constitution set the opening day as the first Monday in December. Amendment 20 changed it to January 3.) (simplified)

Article 1 Section 5

1. 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. (original)

1. The House and the Senate may each decide if members are qualified and have been elected fairly. Move than half of the members (a quorum) be present for a vote. A smaller number of members may agree to adjourn (stop meeting) for the day. Each house should have a way of calling members to meetings and of punishing them if they do not come. (simplified)

2. Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with theConcurrence of two thirds, expel a Member. (original)

2. Each house may make its own rules for its meeting. Each house has the right to punish a member for not behaving properly. If at least two thirds of the members approve, a house may throw out a member. (simplified)

3. 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. (original)

3. Each house must keep a record of its business. It must publish the record, unless members agree that some parts of the record must be kept secret. (The records of both houses are published as the Congressional Record.) If one fifth of the members vote for it, each member's vote on an issue must also be published. (This is called a roll-call vote.) (simplified)

4. 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. (original)

4. Neither house can adjourn for more than three days unless the other house agrees. Both house must meet in the same city. (simplified)

Article 1 Section 6

Article 1 Section 7

1. 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. (original)

1. Only the House of Representatives can start a tax bill. The Senate may suggest changes in it. It must approve the bill (by a majority vote). (simplified)

2. 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. (original)

2. When any bill is approved by both the House and the Senate, it is sent to the President. There are four ways the President can deal with the bill:

• If the President likes the bill, he sign it. It becomes law.

• If the President does not like the bill, he may veto it and send it back to Congress. (Veto is a Latin word which means "I forbid.") If the members of Congress still like the bill, they can vote on it again. If two thirds of the members of both houses vote for the bill this times, it becomes law without the President's approval. (This is called overriding the veto.) When this happens, everyone's veto must be recorded.

• If, while Congress is meeting, the President keeps a bill for 10 days without signing it or vetoing it, the bill becomes law without his approval.

• If less than 10 days remain before Congress adjourns, the President may hold the bill without signing it until Congress adjourns. The bill does not become a law. (This is called a pocket veto.) (simplified)

3. 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 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.

Article 1 Section 8 Clause 1

1. 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; (original)

1. Congress has the power to make and collect taxes, to pay debts, and to use taxes to protect the people. All federal (national) taxes must be the same throughout the United States. (simplified)

Article 1 Section 8 Clause 2

2. To borrow Money on the credit of the United States; (original)

2. Congress has the right to borrow money for the United States. (simplified)

Article 1 Section 8 Clause 3

3. To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes; (original)

3. Congress has the power to control trade with foreign nations, between the states, and with the Indians. (Trade covers goods, people, and information, and the things that move them. That gives Congress control over everything from trucks and trains to roads to telephone and television hookups.) (simplified)

Article 1 Section 8 Clause 4

4. To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States; (original)

4. Congress can decide which people who were not born in the United States can become citizens. It can set the rules that say what a person must do to become a citizen. Congress can pass laws about bankruptcy throughout the United States. (simplified)

Article 1 Section 8 Clause 5

5. To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures; (original)

5. Congress has the right to coin (make) money and say how much it is worth. Congress also decides standards for weights and measures. (This ensures that a dollar, an ounce, or a mile will be the same in every state.) (simplified)

Article 1 Section 8 Clause 6

6. To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;

6. Congress decides how to punish counterfeiters (those who make or use fake money).

Article 1 Section 8 Clause 7

7. To establish Post Offices and post Roads; (original)

7. Congress can set up post offices and build roads. (simplified)

Article 1 Section 8 Clause 8

8. To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries; (original)

8. Congress can give copyrights to authors and patents to inventors so that they will have income from their ideas. (simplified)

Article 1 Section 8 Clause 9

9. To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court; (original)

9. Congress can create any federal courts we need below the level of the Supreme Court. (simplified)

Article 1 Section 8 Clause 10

10. To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations; (original)

10. Congress decides what piracy is and how to punish it. It decides punishment for crimes on the high seas because those crimes do not happen in a particular state. (simplified)

Article 1 Section 8 Clause 11

11. To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water; (original)

11. Congress has the right to declare war. (simplified)

Article 1 Section 8 Clause 12

12. To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years; (original)

12. Congress has the right to organize and pay an army. Money spent on the armed services has to be voted on every two years. (This gives Congress the power to draft citizens. It gives Congress power to buy what the armed forces need. This way, Congress keeps control over the army.) (simplified)

Article 1 Section 8 Clause 13

13. To provide and maintain a Navy; (original)

13. Congress can organize and pay a navy. (simplified)

Article 1 Section 8 Clause 14

14. To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces; (original)

14. Congress makes the rules for the armed forces. (simplified)

Article 1 Section 8 Clause 15

15. To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions; (original)

15. Congress can call out the National Guard to enforce laws, stop riots, or stop invasions. (The National guard is made up of the militia, or citizen soldiers, of the states.) (simplified)

Article 1 Section 8 Clause 16

16. 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; (original)

16. Congress may organize the National Guard, buy arms for it, and make rules on how it should be run. But the officers are appointed by each state. Training is conducted by each state, also. (simplified)

Article 1 Section 8 Clause 17

17. To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten 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 (original)

17. Congress passes the laws for the District of Columbia (Washington, D.C.) because it is the headquarter of the national government. Congress passes laws for federal property such as army forts or national parks. (simplified)

Article 1 Section 8 Clause 18

Article 1 Section 9 Clause 1

1. 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. (original)

1. Congress may not interfere with the slave trade before 1808. (simplified)

Article 1 Section 9 Clause 2

2. The government may not suspend the right of habeas corpus unless the country is under attack and public safety requires it. (A writ of habeas corpus is a legal order from a judge telling the police to bring a prisoner to court. There, they must either show evidence against him and charge him with a crime or let him go. In some countries, people can be put prison without being charged with a crime. The right of habeas corpus prevents this. The words habeas corpus mean "you may have the body." They begin a Latin sentence that says the prisoner must be brought to court.) 

Article 1 Section 9 Clause 3

3. Congress may not pass a bill attainder. (This would be a law to punish a person without letting him have a trial.) Congress may not pass an ex post facto law. (Ex post facto means "after the fact." An ex post facto law is passed after an act is committed. It makes that act a crime and punishes people who committed the act before the law was passed. Under this clause, if a law is passed today, it may not be used to punish people for things they did earlier.) 

Article 1 Section 9 Clause 4

4. Direct taxes have to be the same for each person taxed. People in one state cannot be taxed more than people in another state. (Congress has not ordered many direct taxes. One is the income tax. Amendment 16, added to the Constitution in 1913, has changed this clause somewhat.) 

Article 1 Section 9 Clause 5

5. No taxes can be put on goods sent out of a state. (Congress cannot use taxes to help one state's trade or hurt another's trade.) 

Article 1 Section 9 Clause 6

6. The government cannot use trade and tax laws to favor the ports of any state over the ports of another state. Also, ships going from one state to another cannot be taxed. 

Article 1 Section 9 Clause 7

7. No one can spend money from U.S. Treasury unless a law says that the expense is proper. Accounts of money taken is and paid out muse be published from time to time. 

Article 1 Section 9 Clause 8

8. The government cannot give anyone a noble title. No government official can accept a job, a salary, or a title from another country unless Congress approves. 

Article 1 Section 10

Amendment 1

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 2

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 3

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 4

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.

Amendment 5

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 6

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 7

In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Amendment 8

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Amendment 9

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Amendment 10

Amendment 11

The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State.

*Note: Article III, section 2, of the Constitution was modified by amendment 11.

Amendment 12

The Electors shall meet in their respective states and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President, and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate; -- the President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted; -- The person having the greatest number of votes for President, shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice. [And if the House of Representatives shall not choose a President whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice-President shall act as President, as in case of the death or other constitutional disability of the President. --]* The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice-President, shall be the Vice-President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice-President; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States.

Note: A portion of Article II, section 1 of the Constitution was superseded by the 12th amendment.

*Superseded by section 3 of the 20th amendment.

Amendment 13

Note: A portion of Article IV, section 2, of the Constitution was superseded by the 13th amendment.

Section 1

Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.

Section 2

Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

Amendment 14

Note: Article I, section 2, of the Constitution was modified by section 2 of the 14th amendment.

Section 1

All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside. No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. 

Section 2

Representatives shall be apportioned among the several states according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each state, excluding Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote at any election for the choice of electors for President and Vice President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, the executive and judicial officers of a state, or the members of the legislature thereof, is denied to any of the male inhabitants of such state, being twenty-one years of age, and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in rebellion, or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such state. 

Section 3

No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any state, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any state legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any state, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability. 

Section 4

The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any state shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void.

Section 5

The Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.

Amendment 15

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 16

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 17

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.

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 18

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

Amendment 19

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 20

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 case wherein neither a President elect nor a Vice President elect shall have qualified, declaring who shall then act as President, or the manner in which one who is to act shall be selected, and such person shall act accordingly until a President or Vice President shall have qualified.

Section 4

The Congress may by law provide for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the House of Representatives may choose a President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them, and for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the Senate may choose a Vice President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them.

Section 5

Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect on the 15th day of October following the ratification of this article.

Section 6

This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission. 

Amendment 21

Section 1

The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.

Section 2

The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.

Section 3

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 22

Section 1

No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once. But this Article shall not apply to any person holding the office of President when this Article was proposed by the Congress, and shall not prevent any person who may be holding the office of President, or acting as President, during the term within which this Article becomes operative from holding the office of President or acting as President during the remainder of such term. 

Section 2

This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission to the States by the Congress. 

Amendment 23

Section 1

The District constituting the seat of Government of the United States shall appoint in such manner as the Congress may direct:

A number of electors of President and Vice President equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives in Congress to which the District would be entitled if it were a State, but in no event more than the least populous State; they shall be in addition to those appointed by the States, but they shall be considered, for the purposes of the election of President and Vice President, to be electors appointed by a State; and they shall meet in the District and perform such duties as provided by the twelfth article of amendment.

Section 2

The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

Amendment 24

Section 1

The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax.

Section 2

The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

Section 1

In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President. 

Section 2

Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress.

Section 3

Whenever the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting President.

Section 4

Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.

Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that no inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office unless the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive department or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit within four days to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. Thereupon Congress shall decide the issue, assembling within forty-eight hours for that purpose if not in session. If the Congress, within twenty-one days after receipt of the latter written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session, within twenty-one days after Congress is required to assemble, determines by two-thirds vote of both Houses that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall continue to discharge the same as Acting President; otherwise, the President shall resume the powers and duties of his office.

Amendment 26

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 27