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Constitutional Amendments 11 through 27
Amendment XI: Suits against states.
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.
Proposal and Ratification
The eleventh amendment to the Constitution of the United States was proposed to the
legislatures of the several States by the Third Congress, on the 4th of March 1794;
and was declared in a message from the President to Congress, dated the 8th of
January, 1798, to have been ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the States.
Amendment XII: Election of executive branch.
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 the case of the death or other constitutional disability of the President.3 --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.
Proposal and Ratification
The twelfth amendment to the Constitution of the United States was proposed to the
legislatures of the several States by the Eighth Congress, on the 9th of December,
1803, in lieu of the original third paragraph of the first section of the second article;
and was declared in a proclamation of the Secretary of State, dated the 25th of
September, 1804, to have been ratified by the legislatures of 13 of the 17 States.
Amendment XIII: Prohibition of slavery
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.
Proposal and Ratification
The thirteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States was proposed to
the legislatures of the several States by the Thirty-eighth Congress, on the 31st day
of January, 1865, and was declared, in a proclamation of the Secretary of State,
dated the 18th of December, 1865, to have been ratified by the legislatures of
twenty-seven of the thirty-six States.
Amendment XIV: Privileges or immunities, due process,
elections and debt.
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.
Proposal and Ratification
The fourteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States was proposed to
the legislatures of the several States by the Thirty-ninth Congress, on the 13th of
June, 1866. It was declared, in a certificate of the Secretary of State dated July 28,
1868 to have been ratified by the legislatures of 28 of the 37 States.
Amendment XV: Race and the right to vote.
Section 1.
The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the
United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of
servitude.
Section 2.
The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
Proposal and Ratification
The fifteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States was proposed to the
legislatures of the several States by the Fortieth Congress, on the 26th of February,
1869, and was declared, in a proclamation of the Secretary of State, dated March 30,
1870, to have been ratified by the legislatures of twenty-nine of the thirty-seven
States.
Amendment XVI: Income tax.
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.
Proposal and Ratification
The sixteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States was proposed to the
legislatures of the several States by the Sixty-first Congress on the 12th of July, 1909,
and was declared, in a proclamation of the Secretary of State, dated the 25th of
February, 1913, to have been ratified by 36 of the 48 States.
Amendment XVII: Senator election and number.
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.
Proposal and Ratification
The seventeenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States was proposed to
the legislatures of the several States by the Sixty-second Congress on the 13th of
May, 1912, and was declared, in a proclamation of the Secretary of State, dated the
31st of May, 1913, to have been ratified by the legislatures of 36 of the 48 States
Ratification was completed on April 8, 1913.
Amendment XVIII: Prohibition on sale of alcohol.
Section 1.
After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or
transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the
exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction
thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited
Section 2.
The Congress and the several States shall have concurrent power to enforce this
article by appropriate legislation.
Section 3.
This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to
the Constitution by the legislatures of the several States, as provided in the
Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States
by the Congress. Proposal and Ratification The eighteenth amendment to the
Constitution of the United States was proposed to the legislatures of the several
States by the Sixty-fifth Congress, on the 18th of December, 1917, and was declared,
in a proclamation of the Secretary of State, dated the 29th of January, 1919, to have
been ratified by the legislatures of 36 of the 48 States
Amendment XIX: Sex and the right to vote.
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.
Proposal and Ratification
The nineteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States was proposed to
the legislatures of the several States by the Sixty-sixth Congress, on the 4th of June,
1919, and was declared, in a proclamation of the Secretary of State, dated the 26th of
August, 1920, to have been ratified by the legislatures of 36 of the 48 States.
Amendment XX: "Lame duck" session of Congress eliminated.
Section 1.
The terms of the President and 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 his 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.
Proposal and Ratification
The twentieth amendment to the Constitution was proposed to the legislatures of the
several states by the Seventy-Second Congress, on the 2d day of March, 1932, and
was declared, in a proclamation by the Secretary of State, dated on the 6th day of
February, 1933, to have been ratified by the legislatures of 36 of the 48 States.
Amendment XXI: Repeal of Article XVIII.
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.
Proposal and Ratification
The twenty-first amendment to the Constitution was proposed to the several states by
the Seventy-Second Congress, on the 20th day of February, 1933, and was declared,
in a proclamation by the Secretary of State, dated on the 5th day of December, 1933,
to have been ratified by 36 of the 48 States. Ratified) by South Carolina, on
December 4, 1933.
Amendment XXII: Limit of Presidential terms.
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.
Proposal and Ratification
This amendment was proposed to the legislatures of the several States by the
Eightieth Congress on Mar. 21, 1947 by House Joint Res. No. 27, and was declared
by the Administrator of General Services, on Mar. 1, 1951, to have been ratified by
the legislatures of 36 of the 48 States. Certification of Validity
Amendment XXIII: Election rules for the District of Columbia
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.
Proposal and Ratification
This amendment was proposed by the Eighty-sixth Congress on June 17, 1960 and
was declared by the Administrator of General Services on Apr. 3, 1961, to have been
ratified by 38 of the 50
Amendment XXIV: Taxes and the right to vote.
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.
Proposal and Ratification
This amendment was proposed by the Eighty-seventh Congress by Senate Joint
Resolution No. 29, which was approved by the Senate on Mar. 27, 1962, and by the
House of Representatives on Aug. 27, 1962. It was declared by the Administrator of
General Services on Feb. 4, 1964, to have been ratified by the legislatures of 38 of
the 50 States.
Amendment XXV: Rules of Presidential succession.
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 6
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.
Proposal and Ratification
This amendment was proposed by the Eighty-ninth Congress by Senate Joint
Resolution No. 1, which was approved by the Senate on Feb. 19, 1965, and by the
House of Representatives, in amended form, on Apr. 13, 1965. The House of
Representatives agreed to a Conference Report on June 30, 1965, and the Senate
agreed to the Conference Report on July 6, 1965. It was declared by the Administrator
of General Services, on Feb. 23, 1967, to have been ratified by the legislatures of 39
of the 50 States.
Amendment XXVI: Age and the right to vote.
Section 1.
The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to
vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account
of age.
Section 2.
The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
Proposal and Ratification
This amendment was proposed by the Ninety-second Congress by Senate Joint
Resolution No. 7, which was approved by the Senate on Mar. 10, 1971, and by the
House of Representatives on Mar. 23, 1971. It was declared by the Administrator of
General Services on July 5, 1971, to have been ratified by the legislatures of 39 of the
50 States.
Amendment XXVII: Pay raises and Congress.
No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and
Representatives, shall take effect,until an election of Representatives shall have
intervened.
Proposal and Ratification This amendment, being the second of twelve articles
proposed by the First Congress on Sept. 25, 1789, was declared by the Archivist of
the United States on May 18, 1992, to have been ratified by the legislatures of 40 of
the 50 States.
Amendment XI: Suits against states.
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.
Proposal and Ratification
The eleventh amendment to the Constitution of the United States was proposed to the
legislatures of the several States by the Third Congress, on the 4th of March 1794;
and was declared in a message from the President to Congress, dated the 8th of
January, 1798, to have been ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the States.
Amendment XII: Election of executive branch.
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 the case of the death or other constitutional disability of the President.3 --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.
Proposal and Ratification
The twelfth amendment to the Constitution of the United States was proposed to the
legislatures of the several States by the Eighth Congress, on the 9th of December,
1803, in lieu of the original third paragraph of the first section of the second article;
and was declared in a proclamation of the Secretary of State, dated the 25th of
September, 1804, to have been ratified by the legislatures of 13 of the 17 States.
Amendment XIII: Prohibition of slavery
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.
Proposal and Ratification
The thirteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States was proposed to
the legislatures of the several States by the Thirty-eighth Congress, on the 31st day
of January, 1865, and was declared, in a proclamation of the Secretary of State,
dated the 18th of December, 1865, to have been ratified by the legislatures of
twenty-seven of the thirty-six States.
Amendment XIV: Privileges or immunities, due process,
elections and debt.
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.
Proposal and Ratification
The fourteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States was proposed to
the legislatures of the several States by the Thirty-ninth Congress, on the 13th of
June, 1866. It was declared, in a certificate of the Secretary of State dated July 28,
1868 to have been ratified by the legislatures of 28 of the 37 States.
Amendment XV: Race and the right to vote.
Section 1.
The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the
United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of
servitude.
Section 2.
The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
Proposal and Ratification
The fifteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States was proposed to the
legislatures of the several States by the Fortieth Congress, on the 26th of February,
1869, and was declared, in a proclamation of the Secretary of State, dated March 30,
1870, to have been ratified by the legislatures of twenty-nine of the thirty-seven
States.
Amendment XVI: Income tax.
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.
Proposal and Ratification
The sixteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States was proposed to the
legislatures of the several States by the Sixty-first Congress on the 12th of July, 1909,
and was declared, in a proclamation of the Secretary of State, dated the 25th of
February, 1913, to have been ratified by 36 of the 48 States.
Amendment XVII: Senator election and number.
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.
Proposal and Ratification
The seventeenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States was proposed to
the legislatures of the several States by the Sixty-second Congress on the 13th of
May, 1912, and was declared, in a proclamation of the Secretary of State, dated the
31st of May, 1913, to have been ratified by the legislatures of 36 of the 48 States
Ratification was completed on April 8, 1913.
Amendment XVIII: Prohibition on sale of alcohol.
Section 1.
After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or
transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the
exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction
thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited
Section 2.
The Congress and the several States shall have concurrent power to enforce this
article by appropriate legislation.
Section 3.
This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to
the Constitution by the legislatures of the several States, as provided in the
Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States
by the Congress. Proposal and Ratification The eighteenth amendment to the
Constitution of the United States was proposed to the legislatures of the several
States by the Sixty-fifth Congress, on the 18th of December, 1917, and was declared,
in a proclamation of the Secretary of State, dated the 29th of January, 1919, to have
been ratified by the legislatures of 36 of the 48 States
Amendment XIX: Sex and the right to vote.
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.
Proposal and Ratification
The nineteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States was proposed to
the legislatures of the several States by the Sixty-sixth Congress, on the 4th of June,
1919, and was declared, in a proclamation of the Secretary of State, dated the 26th of
August, 1920, to have been ratified by the legislatures of 36 of the 48 States.
Amendment XX: "Lame duck" session of Congress eliminated.
Section 1.
The terms of the President and 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 his 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.
Proposal and Ratification
The twentieth amendment to the Constitution was proposed to the legislatures of the
several states by the Seventy-Second Congress, on the 2d day of March, 1932, and
was declared, in a proclamation by the Secretary of State, dated on the 6th day of
February, 1933, to have been ratified by the legislatures of 36 of the 48 States.
Amendment XXI: Repeal of Article XVIII.
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.
Proposal and Ratification
The twenty-first amendment to the Constitution was proposed to the several states by
the Seventy-Second Congress, on the 20th day of February, 1933, and was declared,
in a proclamation by the Secretary of State, dated on the 5th day of December, 1933,
to have been ratified by 36 of the 48 States. Ratified) by South Carolina, on
December 4, 1933.
Amendment XXII: Limit of Presidential terms.
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.
Proposal and Ratification
This amendment was proposed to the legislatures of the several States by the
Eightieth Congress on Mar. 21, 1947 by House Joint Res. No. 27, and was declared
by the Administrator of General Services, on Mar. 1, 1951, to have been ratified by
the legislatures of 36 of the 48 States. Certification of Validity
Amendment XXIII: Election rules for the District of Columbia
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.
Proposal and Ratification
This amendment was proposed by the Eighty-sixth Congress on June 17, 1960 and
was declared by the Administrator of General Services on Apr. 3, 1961, to have been
ratified by 38 of the 50
Amendment XXIV: Taxes and the right to vote.
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.
Proposal and Ratification
This amendment was proposed by the Eighty-seventh Congress by Senate Joint
Resolution No. 29, which was approved by the Senate on Mar. 27, 1962, and by the
House of Representatives on Aug. 27, 1962. It was declared by the Administrator of
General Services on Feb. 4, 1964, to have been ratified by the legislatures of 38 of
the 50 States.
Amendment XXV: Rules of Presidential succession.
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 6
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.
Proposal and Ratification
This amendment was proposed by the Eighty-ninth Congress by Senate Joint
Resolution No. 1, which was approved by the Senate on Feb. 19, 1965, and by the
House of Representatives, in amended form, on Apr. 13, 1965. The House of
Representatives agreed to a Conference Report on June 30, 1965, and the Senate
agreed to the Conference Report on July 6, 1965. It was declared by the Administrator
of General Services, on Feb. 23, 1967, to have been ratified by the legislatures of 39
of the 50 States.
Amendment XXVI: Age and the right to vote.
Section 1.
The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to
vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account
of age.
Section 2.
The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
Proposal and Ratification
This amendment was proposed by the Ninety-second Congress by Senate Joint
Resolution No. 7, which was approved by the Senate on Mar. 10, 1971, and by the
House of Representatives on Mar. 23, 1971. It was declared by the Administrator of
General Services on July 5, 1971, to have been ratified by the legislatures of 39 of the
50 States.
Amendment XXVII: Pay raises and Congress.
No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and
Representatives, shall take effect,until an election of Representatives shall have
intervened.
Proposal and Ratification This amendment, being the second of twelve articles
proposed by the First Congress on Sept. 25, 1789, was declared by the Archivist of
the United States on May 18, 1992, to have been ratified by the legislatures of 40 of
the 50 States.
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