As mentioned in the first article in this series, we, in the United States(alt)realized that if the Constitution was to remain the basis for our laws, we needed to revise it, removing antiquated terminology, and ridding it of ambiguities which caused only divisions in our society. What follows is the text of Constitution 2.0
We the People of 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 1.Section 1All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of The Senate.
Section 2Direct 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.
Section 3The Senate of the United States shall be composed of one Senator from each Domain, chosen by the Electorate thereof, for six Years; one Delegate from each Commonwealth, one Ambassador from the District of Columbia and New York each; each Senator, Delegate and Ambassador 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, Delegates and Ambassadors 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, including appointment as Head of State, Writs of Election to replace said Senator, Delegate or Ambassador shall be issued in his Domain in a timely manner.
No person shall be a Senator, Delegate or Ambassador 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 Domain for which he shall be chosen.
The Senate shall choose their other Officers, and also a President, when the current Senate President shall be appointed to exercise the Office of Head of State 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 Head of State 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 and Trust under the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law. (Basis for Purification Day.)
Section 4The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators, shall be prescribed in each Domain by the Legislature thereof; but the Senate may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Place of Choosing Senators.
The Senate 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 5The Senate shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members, and a Majority 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 the Senate may provide.
The Senate may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behavior, and, with the Concurrence of two-thirds, expel a Member.
The Senate 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 on any question shall, at the Desire of one fifth of those Present, be entered on the Journal.
The Session of the Senate, shall not adjourn for more than three days without the Consent of the Head of State and designated members of the Supreme Court, nor to any other Place than that in which the Senate shall be sitting.
Section 6The Senators, Delegates and Ambassadors 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, including Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, not be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same, or at any other time; except for any Speech or Debate in the Senate, for which they shall not be questioned in any other Place.
No Senator, Delegate or Ambassador 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 the Senate during his Continuance in Office.
Section 7All bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the Senate; but the Head of State, the Cabinet and members of the Supreme Court may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.
Every Bill which shall have passed the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the Head of State of the United States; If he approves he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to the Senate whence it originated, who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such Reconsideration two thirds of the Senate shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall become a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes of the Senate shall be determined by Yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of the Senate. If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law,in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Senate by their lawfully scheduled Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law.
Every Order, Resolution, or Vote by the Senate (except on a question of Adjournment) shall be presented to the Head of State of the United States; and before the Same shall take Effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be re-passed by two thirds of the Senate, according to the Rules and Limitations prescribed in the Case of a Bill.
Section 8The Senate 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 uniform throughout the United States;
To borrow money on the credit of the United States;
To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several Domains, and with the Indian Tribes;
To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;
To change the Currency to any form including virtual, regulate the Value of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;
To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Currency and Securities 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 Writingsand Discoveries;
To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;
To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offenses 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 unless approved by the Senate;
To provide and maintain a Navy;
To provide and maintain an Air Force;
To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land , air and naval Forces;
To provide for calling forth the National Guard or Military to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;
To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the National Guard or Military, and for governing such as may be deployed in the Service of the United States, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the National Guard or Military, according to the discipline prescribed by the Senate; (Basis for the repeal of the Second Amendment)
To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular Domains, and the acceptance of the Senate, become the Seat of the Government of the UnitedStates, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the Domain in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, 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 9The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the Domains now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Senate prior to the Year one thousand six 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 Domain.
No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce or Revenue to the Ports of one Domain over those of another: nor shall Vessels bound to, or from, one Domain, 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 the 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 Office of Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Senate, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince or foreign State, or special interest group, foreign or domestic, including funding, direct or indirect of any kind for the direct or indirect benefit of said Person.
Section 10No Domain shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; issue Currency; make any Thing 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 Domain shall, without the Consent of the Senate, lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing its inspection Laws: and the net Produce of all Duties and Imposts, laid by any Domain on Imports or Exports, 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 Senate.
No Domain shall, without the Consent of the Senate, lay any duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, Airplanes or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another Domain, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.
Article 2.
Section 1The executive Power shall be vested in a Head of State of the United States of America. He shall hold his Office during the Term of one Year, and be elected, as follows:
By rotation, each Head of State selected in alphabetical order by Domain names. No special privilege, consideration or power will be accorded to the Domain whose Senator is the current Head of State. Moreover, the Powers and Privileges accorded the Head of State will, for the duration of his Term as Head of State, supersede the Powers and Privileges accorded him as Senator. As Head of State, said Senator cannot vote; therefore, the Electorate of the Domain represented by said Senator, will elect a Senator pro tem, to carry out the duties of said Senator for the duration of his Term as Head of State.
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 Head of State; 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 and holds the Office of Senator.
In Case of the Removal of the Head of State from Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office, the same shall devolve to the President of the Senate, and members of the Supreme Court may by Law, in an open and public ballot, provide for the Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the Head of State and President of the Senate, declaring what Officer shall then act as Head of State, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a Head of State shall be designated.
The Head of State 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 Affirmation:
"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of Head of State of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
Section 2The Head of State shall be Commander in Chief of the Army, Navy and Air Force of the United States, and of the National Guard, in 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 Pardons 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 to foreign posts, 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 Senate may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the Head of State alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.
The Head of State 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 Endof their next Session.
Section 3He shall from time to time give to the Senate 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 the Senate; he shall receive Ambassadors to foreign posts 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 4The Head of State, President of the Senate 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 3.
Section 1The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Senate may from time to time ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behavior, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services a Compensation which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office.
Section 2The 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 to foreign posts, other public Ministers 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 Domains; between a Domain and Citizens of another Domain; between Citizens of different Domains; between Citizens of the same Domain claiming Lands under Grants of different Domains, and between a Domain, or the Citizens thereof, and foreign States, Citizens or Subjects.
In all Cases affecting Ambassadors to foreign posts, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a Domain shall be Party, the Supreme Court shall have original Jurisdiction. In all the other Cases before mentioned, the supreme Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions, and under such Regulations as the Senate shall make.
The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment, shall be by Jury; and such Trial shall be held in the Domain where the said Crimes shall have been committed; but when not committed within any Domain, the Trial shall be at such Place or Places as the Senate may by Law have directed.
Section 3Treason 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 Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted.
Article 4.
Section 1Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each Domain to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other Domain. And the Senate may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.
Section 2The Citizens of each Domain shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several Domains.
A Person charged in any State with Treason, Felony, or other Crime, who shall flee from Justice, and be found in another Domain, shall on demand of the executive Authority of the Domain from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the Domain having Jurisdiction of the Crime.
No Person held to Service or Labour in one Domain, under the Laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in Consequence of any Law or Regulation therein, be discharged from such Service or Labour, But shall be delivered up on Claim of the Party to whom such Service or Labour may be due.
Section 3New Domains may be admitted by the Senate into this Union; but no new Domains shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other Domain; nor any Domain be formed by the Junction of two or more Domains, or parts of Domains, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the Domains concerned as well as of the Senate.
The Senate shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or of any particular Domain.
Section 4The United States shall guarantee to every Domain in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Senate, or of the Executive (when the Senate cannot be convened) against domestic Violence.
Article 5.The Senate, whenever two thirds shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several Domains, shall call a Referendum for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several Domains, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Senate; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand six hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no Domain, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.
Article 6.All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the Adoption of this Constitution, 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 Pursuance 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 Domain shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any Domain to the Contrary notwithstanding.
The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several Domain Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several Domains, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution exclusively; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust, under the United States.
Article 7.The Ratification of the Conventions of thirty-five Domains, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same.
Amendment 1
The Senate 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 petitionthe Government for a redress of grievances. Equally, the Senate shall not propose or make law, the basis of which is derived from any religious scripture or religious teachings, unless said basis can also be found in civil law.
Amendment 2
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. (Repealed via Amendment 28)
Amendment 3
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
Amendment 4
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath oraffirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Amendment 5
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land, air or naval forces, or in the National Guard, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offenseto be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Amendment 6
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the Domain 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 7
In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
Amendment 8
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Amendment 9
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Amendment 10
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the Domains, are reserved to the Domains respectively, and their Electorate.
Amendment 11
The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another Domain, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State.
Amendment 12
The Electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate; (Repealed via Amendment 29)
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, thenthe Vice-President shall act as President. as in the case of the death or other constitutional disability of the President. (Repealed via Amendment 29)
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. (Repealed via Amendment 29)
Amendment 13
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. The Senate shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
Amendment 14
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 Domain wherein they reside. No Domain shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any Domain 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. No person shall be a Senator or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any Domain, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of the Senate, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any Domain legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any Domain, 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.
Section 3. 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 Domain shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, as all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void.
Section 4.The Senate shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.
Amendment 15
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 Domain on account of race.
Section 2. The Senate shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
Amendment 16
The Senate shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several Domains, and without regard to any census or enumeration.
Amendment 17
The Senate of the United States shall be composed of one Senator from each Domain, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote.
When vacancies happen in the representation of any Domain in the Senate, the executive authority of such Domain shall issue Writs of Election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any Domain may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.
This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution.
Amendment 18
Section 1. After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject tothe jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited. (Repealed via Amendment 21)
Section 2. The Congress and the several States shall have concurrent power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. (Repealed via Amendment 21)
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 thesubmission hereof to the States by the Congress. (Repealed via Amendment 21)
Amendment 19
The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex, color, creed, gender or sexual orientation. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
Amendment 20
Section 1. The terms of the Head of State and President of the Senate shall end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators 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 Senate 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 Head of State, the Head of State elect shall have died, the President of the Senate shall become Head of State. If a Head of State shall not have been chosen before the time fixed for the beginning of his term, or if the Head of State elect shall have failed to qualify, then the next President of the Senate by rotation shall be Head of State; and designated members of the Supreme Court may by law provide for the case wherein neither a Head of State elect nor a President of the Senate elect shall have qualified, declaring who shall then act as Head of State, in the established manner by which one who is to act is selected, and such person shall act accordingly.
Section 4. The Senate may by law provide for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the Senate designates, as per rotation, a Head of Stateand for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the Senate will choose a President of the Senate, by vote as prescribed by law.
Section 5. Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect on the 15th day of October following the ratification of this article.
Section 6. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several Domains within seven years from the date of its submission.
Amendment 21
Section 1. The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.
Section 2.The article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by conventions in the several Domains, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the Domains by the Senate.
Amendment 22
Section 1. No person shall be elected to the office of the Head of State more than twice, and no person who has held the office of Head of State, or acted as Head of State, for more than six months of a term to which some other person was elected Head of State shall be elected to the office of the Head of State more than once. But this Article shall not apply to any person holding the office of Head of State, when this Article was proposed by the Senate, and shall not prevent any person who may be holding the office of Head of State, or acting as Head of State, during the term within which this Article becomes operative from holding the office of Head of State or acting as Head of State 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 Domains within seven years from the date of its submission to the Domains by the Senate.
Amendment 23
Section 1. The District constituting the seat of Government of the United States shall appoint in such manner as the Senate may direct.
Section 2. The Senate shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
Amendment 24
Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not bedenied or abridged by the United States or any State by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax. (Repealed via Amendment 30)
Section 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. (Repealed via Amendment 30)
Amendment 25
Section 1. In case of the removal of the Head of State from office or of his death or resignation, the President of the Senate shall become Head of State.
Section 2. Whenever the Head of State transmits to the President of the Senate 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 President of the Senate as Acting Head of State.
Section 3. Whenever designated members of the Supreme Court and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as the Senate may by law provide, transmit to the President of the Senate their written declaration that the Head of State is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the President of the Senate shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as ActingHead of State.
Thereafter, when the Head of State transmits to the President of the Senate his written declaration that no inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office unless the designated members of the Supreme Court and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive department or of such other body as the Senate may by law provide, transmit within four days to the President of the Senate their written declaration that the Head of State is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. Thereupon the Senate shall decide the issue, assembling within forty eight hours for that purpose if not in session. If the Senate is not in session, within twenty one days after it is required to assemble, determines by two thirds vote of The Senate that the Head of State is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the President of the Senate shall continue to discharge the same as Acting Head of State; otherwise, the Head of State shall resume the powers and duties of his office.
Amendment 26
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 Domain on account of age.
Section 2. The Senate shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
Amendment 27
No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators shall take effect, until an election of said Senators shall have intervened.
Amendment 28
Section 1. The second article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.
Amendment 29
Section 1. The twelfth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.
Amendment 30
Section 1. The twenty fourth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.