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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.
FREEDOM OF SPEECH FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY
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.
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.
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.
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
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.
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.
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 the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.
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.
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.
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 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 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.
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 President more than once. But this Article shall not apply to any person holding the office of President when this Article was proposed by 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.
Section 1 The District constituting the seat of Government of the United States shall appoint in such manner as 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.
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 poll tax or other tax.
Section 2
The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
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. PRESIDENTIAL DISABILITY AND SUCCESSION
No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of representatives shall have intervened.
60-Seconds Civics Search: Search by Keyword Amendment.
Proposed Amendments to the Constitution: 1787-2014
The National Constitution Center: An interactive view of the constitution through text, history, and opposing viewpoints.
World Digital Library: Constitution of the United States
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA): Nation's Information Inventory.
Cornell Law School: U.S. Constitution and Explanation
Digital History: Court Cases
Usernames & Passwords linked here.
Infobase: Issues & Controversies In American History
Infobase U.S. Government Online: American History
Gale U.S. History In Context
Explore Rights Around the World: How have rights been expressed around the world?
Intermarriage between negroes or persons of color and Caucasian [sic] or any other character of persons within the United States or any Territory under their jurisdiction is forever prohibited, and the term ‘negroes’ or ‘persons of color’ as here employed shall be held to mean any and all person of African descent or having any trace of African or negro blood. Citation: Stein, Edward, and Benjamin Cardozo. Past and Present Proposed Amendments to the United States Past and Present Proposed Amendments to the United States Constitution Regarding Marriage Constitution Regarding Marriage. pg. 677
INTERRACIAL MARRIAGE LAWS: HISTORY & TIMELINE
PAST & PRESENT AMENDMENTS PG. 627-630
1. Polygamy and polygamous cohabitation shall not exist within the United States or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. Citation: Stein, Edward, and Benjamin Cardozo. Past and Present Proposed Amendments to the United States Past and Present Proposed Amendments to the United States Constitution Regarding Marriage Constitution Regarding Marriage. pg. 678 PAST & PRESENT: MARRIAGE PG. 631-634
On Marriage & Polygamy Link Above: Part II of this Article briefly reviews the history of polygamy. Parts III and IV examine the history of the Mormon faith in the United States and the historical practice of polygamy. Part V then examines how courts have treated the issue of polygamy over time.
POLYGAMY & RELIGIOUS EXPRESSION
Polygamy & Religious Expression Link Above: Infobase American History: Username & Password linked here
"Men and women shall have equal rights throughout the United States and in every place subject to its jurisdiction." Citation: “Detailed Timeline | National Women’s History Alliance.” Nationalwomenshistoryalliance.Org, 2020, nationalwomenshistoryalliance.org/resources/womens-rights-movement/detailed-timeline/. Accessed 1 May 2020.
CHRONOLOGY OF EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT
ERA: Opposing View Points link above Gale Opposing View Points password linked here.
PLAIN LANGUAGE: ENGEL V. VITALE
PRAYER IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS CASES
U.S. Government Online Database above link: Search: 1962 School Prayer Infobase American History username & password linked here.
Whoever knowingly mutilates, defaces, physically defiles, burns, maintains on the floor or ground, or tramples upon any flag of the United States shall be fined under this title or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both. Citation: Public Law 1968
Gale Opposing Viewpoints Database link above: Password linked here.
Infobase American History Database above link: Search "burning the flag in protest". Username & Password linked here.
Section 1. The President and Vice President shall be elected by the people of the several States and the district constituting the seat of government of the United States.
Section 2. The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of Senators and Representatives in Congress from that State, except that the legislature of any State may prescribe less restrictive qualifications with respect to residence and Congress may establish uniform residence and age qualifications.
Section 3. The persons having the greatest number of votes for President and Vice President shall be elected.
Section 4. Each elector shall cast a single vote jointly applicable to President and Vice President. Names of candidates may not be joined unless they shall have consented thereto and no candidate may consent to the candidate's name being joined with that of more than one other person.
Section 5. The Congress may by law provide for the case of the death of any candidate for President or Vice President before the day on which the President-elect or Vice President-elect has been chosen, and for the case of a tie in any election.
Section 6. This article shall apply with respect to any election for President and Vice President held after the expiration of the 1-year period which begins on the date of the ratification of this article. Citation: “Text of Proposed Amendment on Voting.” Nytimes.Com, 2020, timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1969/04/30/78338815.html?pageNumber=21. Accessed 1 May 2020.
UNITED TO ABOLISH THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE
AMEND/ABOLISH: OPPOSING VIEWPOINTS
Amend/Abolish Electoral College: Gale Opposing Viewpoints link above: Password linked here.
The Hogan AmendmentIntroduced by Rep. Lawrence Hogan (R-MD) on January 30, 1973, under H.J.Res. 261. Section 1. Neither the United States nor any State shall deprive any human being, from the moment of conception, of life without due process of law; nor deny to any human being, from the moment of conception, within its jurisdiction, the equal protection of the laws. Section 2. Neither the United States nor any State shall deprive any human being of life on account of illness, age, or incapacity. Section 3. Congress and the several States shall have the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation Citation: “H.J.Res.261 - 93rd Congress (1973-1974): Joint Resolution Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of the United States Guaranteeing the Right to Life to the Unborn, the Ill, the Aged, or the Incapacitated.” Congress.Gov, 2020, www.congress.gov/bill/93rd-congress/house-joint-resolution/261. Accessed 1 May 2020.
ABORTION LAW IN U.S. Gale In Context password linked here.
DATABASES BELOW SEARCH KEYWORD: ABORTION
usernames & passwords for databases below are linked here.
Infobase Issues & Controversies In American History
Infobase U.S. Government Online: American History
The death penalty shall not be imposed by the United States, or by any State, Territory, or other jurisdiction within the United States. Citation: Knake, Renee. ABOLISHING DEATH.
DEATH PENALTY AND HUMAN RIGHTS
SEARCH: DEATH PENALTY OR CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IN DATABASES BELOW
Usernames & Passwords linked here.
Infobase U.S. Government Online: American History
Marriage in the United States shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman. Neither this Constitution or the constitution of any State, nor state or federal law, shall be construed to require that marital status or the legal incidents thereof be conferred upon unmarried couples or groups. (Language introduced in 2002 then again in 2003) Citation: “H.J.Res.93 - 107th Congress (2001-2002): Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of the United States Relating to Marriage.” Congress.Gov, 2020, www.congress.gov/bill/107th-congress/house-joint-resolution/00093. Accessed 1 May 2020.
FEDERAL MARRIAGE AMENDMENT OR GAY MARRIAGE
Search keywords above (including Same Sex Marriage OR Marriage Protection Amendment) in the databases below: Usernames & Passwords linked here.
Infobase U.S. Government Online: American History
Saving American Democracy Amendment by Sanders ‘‘SECTION 1. The rights protected by the Constitution of the United States are the rights of natural persons and do not extend to for-profit corporations, limited liability companies, or other private entities established for business purposes or to promote business interests under the laws of any state, the United States, or any foreign state. ‘‘SECTION 2. Such corporate and other private entities established under law are subject to regulation by the people through the legislative process so long as such regulations are consistent with the powers of Congress and the States and do not limit the freedom of the press. ‘‘SECTION 3. Such corporate and other private entities shall be prohibited from making contributions or expenditures in any election of any candidate for public office or the vote upon any ballot measure submitted to the people. ‘‘SECTION 4. Congress and the States shall have the power to regulate and set limits on all election contributions and expenditures, including a candidate’s own spending, and to authorize the establishment of political committees to receive, spend, and publicly disclose the sources of those contributions and expenditures.’’ People's Rights Amendment/We the People Amendment by McGovern "SECTION 1. The rights protected by the Constitution of the United States are the rights of natural persons only. Artificial entities, such as corporations, limited liability companies, and other entities, established by the laws of any State, the United States, or any foreign state shall have no rights under this Constitution and are subject to regulation by the People, through Federal, State, or local law. The privileges of artificial entities shall be determined by the People, through Federal, State, or local law, and shall not be construed to be inherent or inalienable." "SECTION 2. Federal, State and local government shall regulate, limit, or prohibit contributions and expenditures, including a candidate’s own contributions and expenditures, to ensure that all citizens, regardless of their economic status, have access to the political process, and that no person gains, as a result of that person’s money, substantially more access or ability to influence in any way the election of any candidate for public office or any ballot measure. Federal, State, and local governments shall require that any permissible contributions and expenditures be publicly disclosed. The judiciary shall not construe the spending of money to influence elections to be speech under the First Amendment." "SECTION 3. Nothing contained in this amendment shall be construed to abridge the freedom of the press." Citations: Congress
The Atlantic article James P. McGovern: Video of delivery included
SAVING AMERICAN DEMOCRACY AMENDMENT
Bernie Sanders CORPORATE PERSONHOOD HISTORY
SEARCH KEYWORDS BELOW IN DATABASES
Use the following keywords: Corporate Personhood; Saving American Democracy Amendment; People's Rights Amendment: Usernames & Passwords for databases linked here.
Our Amendments and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: Recognizing our rights to the world
