Preamble

We the people of the United

States, in order to form a more per-
fect union, establish justice, insure do-
mestic tranquility, provide for the
common defense, promote the general
welfare, and secure the blessings of
liberty to ourselves and our posterity,
do ordain and establish this Constitu-
tion for the United States of America.

ARTICLE I
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.
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.
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 deter-
mined 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 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 choose 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 Caro-
lina five, South Carolina five, and Georgia three.
When vacancies happen in the Representation from any state, the executive author-
ity thereof shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies.
The House of Representatives shall choose their speaker and other officers; and
shall have the sole power of impeachment.

Section 3. 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.
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 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 execu-
tive thereof may make temporary appointments until the next meeting of the legisla-
ture, which shall then fill such vacancies.
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 choose 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.
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. 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 choosing Senators.
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.

Section 5. Each House shall be the judge of the elections, returns and
qualifications of its own members, and a majority of each shall constitute a quo-
rum 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 dis-
orderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of two thirds, expel a member.
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. 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 increased 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.

Section 7. All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Representa-
tives; 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 deter-
mined 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 re-
turned 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 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 limita-
tions prescribed in the case of a bill.

Section 8. The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes, duties,
imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and
general welfare of the United States; but all duties, imposts and excises shall be uni-
form 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 counterfeiting 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
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 of-
fenses 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 in-
surrections 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 ex-
ceeding 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, dockyards, 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. 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.
No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported from any state.
To 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 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 of-
fice 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. No state shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or confederation; grant
letters of marque and reprisal; coin money; emit bills of credit; make anything 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 im-
ports or exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing it's inspection
laws: and the net produce of all duties and imposts, laid by any state on imports or ex-
ports, shall be for the use of the treasury of the United States; and all such laws shall
be subject to the revision and control 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 an-
other 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 Repre-
sentatives 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 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 Sen-
ate 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 num-
ber 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
choose 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 choose 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 nec-
essary 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 choose from them
by ballot the Vice President.
The Congress may determine the time of choosing the electors, and the day on
which they shall give their votes; which day shall be the same throughout the United
States.
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 dis-
ability be removed, or a President shall be elected.
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 af-
firmation:--"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."

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 par-
dons 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 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 Su-
preme 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 of-
fices 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 Constitution, the laws of the United States, and treaties made, or which shall
be made, under their authority;--to all cases affecting ambassadors, other public minis-
ters 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;--between citizens of different
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 sub-
jects.
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 juris-
diction. In all the other cases before mentioned, the Supreme Court shall have appel-
late jurisdiction, both as to law and fact, with such exceptions, and under such regula-
tions 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.
The Congress shall have power to declare the punishment of treason, but no attain-
der 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, re-
cords, and judicial proceedings of every other state. And the Congress may by general
laws prescribe the manner in which such acts, records, and proceedings shall be
proved, and the effect thereof.

Section 2. The citizens of each state shall be entitled to all privileges and immuni-
ties 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 ju-
risdiction of the crime.
No person held to service or labor 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 labor, but shall be delivered up on claim of the party to whom
such service or labor may be due.

Section 3. New states may be admitted by the Congress into this union; but no
new states 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 regula-
tions respecting the territory or other property belonging to the United States; and noth-
ing 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 Constitu-
tion, when ratified by the legislatures of three fourths of the several states, or by con-
ventions 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 con-
sent, shall be deprived of its equal suffrage in the Senate.

Article VI
All debts contracted and engagements entered into, before the adoption of this Con-
stitution, 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 pursu-
ance 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, anything in the Constitution or laws of any State to the contrary not-
withstanding.
The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the members of the sev-
eral 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 Consti-
tution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or pub-
lic trust under the United States.

Article VII
The ratification of the conventions of nine states, shall be sufficient for the establish-
ment of this Constitution between the states so ratifying the same.
Done in Covention by the Unanimous Consent of the States present the Seventeeth
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,

G.º Washington—Presid!
and deputy from Virginia
 Bill of Rights
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 assem-
ble, 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 unreason-
able 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 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 offense
to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness
against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall pri-
vate 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 impar-
tial 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 defense.
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.
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.