Printable Us Constitution Full Text
The Constitution For The U.S. Here is the complete text of the U.S. The original spelling and capitalization have been retained. We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare. Constitution of the United States M-654 (rev. 07/08) The Declaration of Independence & the Constitution. Full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other. For the United States of America. Jan 1, 2015 - guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution. Assembly to enact such laws as will protect them in the full enjoyment of.
Don’t interfere with anything in the Constitution.
That must be maintained, for it is the only
safeguard of our liberties.”
— Abraham Lincoln
Created by our Forefathers, the United States Constitution and the Bill Of Rights are what make the United States a leader of free men and women, and a beacon of hope to all those oppressed throughout the world.
Almost eleven years after the Declaration of Independence, in May of 1787, the Federal Convention convened in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation. After much debate, it became clear by mid-June that instead of amending the existing Articles, the Convention would draft a new frame of government. Their work stands as a shining example of cooperative statesmanship and compromise. Among the important points at issue were how much power to allow the central government, how to determine the number of representatives for each state, and how those representatives would be elected. Thanks to the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, here is the full, original text of the Constitution of the United States, including what some may see as misspellings, but were actually part of the original document.
Note: Items in italics have since been amended or superseded. See Bill of Rights for Amendments.
The United States Constitution
We the Peopleof the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic 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 Constitution 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 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 within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct. The Number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty Thousand, but each State shall have at Least one Representative; and until such enumeration shall be made, the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to chuse three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations one, Connecticut five, New-York six, New Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten, North Carolina five, South Carolina five, and Georgia three.
When vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies. The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.
Section. 3. The Senate 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 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.
Constitution signing, Howard C. Christy
No Person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen.
The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.
The Senate shall chuse their other Officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the Absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the Office of President of the United States. The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present.
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 chusing 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 Quorum to do Business; but a smaller Number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner, and under such Penalties as each House may provide.
Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member.
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.
Article 1 –Creates the two parts of Congress. They are responsible for making laws.
Section 2
- Defines the House of Representatives, known as the lower house of Congress.
- Must be 25 years old, will serve for two years each. Must be a citizen 7 years.
- Each state gets Representatives based on state population.
- Has a leader called the Speaker of the House.
Section 3
- Defines the Senate, knows as the upper house of the Congress.
- Must be 30 years old, will serve for six years each. Must be a citizen 9 years.
- Each state gets two Senators.
- Vice-President breaks tie votes.
Section 4
- Says that each state may establish its own methods for electing members of the Congress.
- Requires, that Congress must meet at least once per year.
Section 5
- Says that Congress must have a minimum number of members present in order to meet.
- Fines for members who do not show up. It says that members may be expelled.
- Each house must keep a journal to record proceedings and votes.
- Neither house can adjourn without the permission of the other.
Section 6
- Establishes that members of Congress will be paid.
- They cannot be detained while traveling to and from Congress.
- That they cannot hold any other office in the government while in the Congress.
Section 7
- Say how bills become law.
- All bills must pass both houses of Congress in the exact same form.
- Bills that pass both houses are sent to the President.
- He can either sign the bill, in which case it becomes law, or he can veto it.
- If he vetoes a bill, it is sent back to Congress, and if both houses pass it by a two-thirds majority, the bill becomes law over the President's veto. This is known as overriding a veto.
Section 8
- Gives Congress the power to establish and maintain an army and navy.
- To establish post offices, to create courts, to regulate commerce between the states, to declare war, and to raise money.
Section 9
- Can not suspend right to remain silent laws.
- Can not pass laws that make things illegal starting yesterday or last week, etc.
- No law can give preference to one state over another
- Can not spend money without permission.
Section 10
- States can’t make their own money, or declare war, or tax goods from other states.
Article 2 –Creates the job of President, called the Executive. Responsible for enforcing the laws.
Section 1
- Establishes the office of the President and the Vice-President.
- Both serve for four years.
- Presidents are elected by the Electoral.
- Must be 35 years old. Must be born in the USA.
- Their pay cannot change, up or down, as long as he in is office.
Section 2
- President leads the armed forces.
- He has a Cabinet to aid him, and can pardon criminals.
- He makes treaties with other nations (2/3 of the Senate have to approve of the treaty).
- Picks many of the judges and other members of the government.
Section 3
- President must give a yearly speech to the nation.
- Give suggestions to Congress.
- Meet with Ambassadors and other heads of state from other nations.
- Ensure the laws of the United States are carried out.
Section 4
A. Explains how to kick thepresident from office, called impeachment.
Article 3 –Establishes Judges, called the Judiciary. They decide if a law is allowable, or if it goes against the Constitution.
Section 1
- Establishes the Supreme Court, the highest court in the United States.
- Judge serve for life, or until they want to retire.
Section 2
- Says what cases the Supreme Court must decide.
- It also guarantees trial by jury in criminal court.
Section 3
- Defines, without any question, what the crime of treason is.
Article 4 –States Rights.
Section 1
- All states will honor the laws of all other states.
Section 2
- Citizens of one state are treated equally and fairly like all citizens of another.
- It also says that if a person accused of a crime in one state flees to another will be returned to the state that person fled from.
Section 3
- How new states come into the Nation.
- Control of federal lands.
Section 4
- Ensures a “Power by the People” government.
- Guarantees that the federal government will protect the states against.
Article 5 –How to change the Constitution.
- 2/3 of the Representatives must vote on the change.
- 2/3 of the Senators must vote on the change.
- 3/4 of the States must vote for the change (34 or 50)
Article 6 – Concernsthe United States.
- Guarantees that the Constitution and all laws and treaties of the United States to be the supreme law of the country.
- Requires all officers of the United States and of the states to swear an oath of allegiance to the United States and the Constitution when taking office.
Article 7 –Explained how the Constitution was agreed to.
- Of the original 13 states in the United States, nine had to accept the Constitution before it would officially go into effect.
The Bill ofRights - Proposed in 1789 and enacted on December 15, 1791
1st Amendment
Protects the people's right to practice religion, tospeak freely, to assemble (meet), to address the government and of the press topublish.
2nd Amendment
Protects the right to own guns.
3rd Amendment
Guarantees that the army cannot force homeowners togive them room and board.
4th Amendment
Protects the people from the government improperlytaking property, papers, or people, without a valid warrant based on probablecause (good reason).
5th Amendment
Protects people from being held for committing acrime unless they are properly indicted, that they may not be tried twice forthe same crime, and that you need not be forced to testify against yourself. Italso contains due process guarantees.
6th Amendment
Guarantees a speedy trial, an impartial jury, andthat the accused can confront witnesses against them, and that the accused mustbe allowed to have a lawyer.
7th Amendment
Guarantees a jury trial in federal civil courtcases. This type of case is normally no longer heard in federal court.
8th Amendment
Guarantees that punishments will be fair, and notcruel, and that extraordinarily large fines will not be set.
9th Amendment
Simply a statement that other rights aside fromthose listed may exist, and just because they are not listed doesn't mean theycan be violated.
10th Amendment
Says that any power not granted to the federalgovernment belongs to the states.
Amendmentspassed once the Constitution was adopted.
11th Amendment - Enacted on February 7, 1795
Says how someone from one state can sue anotherstate.
12th Amendment - Enacted on June 15, 1804
Redefines how the President and Vice-President arechosen by the Electoral College.
13th Amendment - Enacted on December 6, 1865
Abolished slavery in the entire United States.
14th Amendment - Enacted on July 9, 1868
People had rights on the federal level and on thestate level, too. Dealt with civil war items.
15th Amendment - Enacted on February 3, 1870
Ensured that a person’s race could not be used ascriteria for voting.
16th Amendment - Enacted on February 3, 1913
Authorizes the United States to collect incometaxes.
17th Amendment - Enacted on April 8, 1913
Shifted the choosing of Senators from the statelegislatures to the people of the states.
18th Amendment - Enacted on January 16, 1919
Abolished the sale or manufacture of alcohol in the United States.
19th Amendment - Enacted on August 18, 1920
Ensures that sex could not be used as a criteria forvoting.
20th Amendment - Enacted on January 23, 1933
Bill Of Rights Full Text
Set new start dates for the terms of the Congressand the President.
21st Amendment - Enacted on December 5, 1933
Repealed the 18th Amendment.
22nd Amendment - Enacted on February 27, 1951
Set a limit on the number of times a President couldbe elected - two four-year terms.
23rd Amendment - Enacted on March 29, 1961
Copy Of United States Constitution
Grants the Washington D.C. the right to threeelectors in Presidential elections.
24th Amendment - Enacted on January 23, 1964
Ensured that no tax could be charged to vote for anyfederal office.
25th Amendment - Enacted on February 10, 1967
Establishes rules for a President who becomes unableto perform his duties while in office.
26th Amendment - Enacted on July 1, 1971
Ensures that any person 18 or over may vote.
27th Amendment - Enacted on May 7, 1992
Any law that increased the pay of legislators maynot take effect until after an election.