CONSTITUTION

OF

THE UNITED STATES.

WE, the people of the United States, in order to form a more per- Preamble fect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and estab lish this Constitution for the United States of America.

ARTICLE I.

SECTION I.

ers vested in con

All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a congress Legislative powof the United States, which shall consist of a senate and house of gress. representatives.

SECTION II.

sentatives its

members; by qualifications of

whom chosen ; electors.

1. The house of representatives shall be composed of members House of reprechosen 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. 2. 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.

3. 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

to be 25; 7 years

a

A representative citizen of the

United States;

and an inhabi

tant of his State when elected.

Representatives apportioned ac

and taxes to be

cording to num

bers.

ation every ten years.

the ratio of representation, &c.

Actual enumer- 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 Limitation of 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 First apportion of New Hampshire shall be entitled to choose three; Massachusetts, eight; Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, one; Connecticut, five; New York, six; New Jersey, four; Pennsylvania, eight; Delaware, one; Maryland, six; Virginia, ten; North Carolina, five; South Carolina, five; and Georgia, three.

ment of represen

tatives.

Writs of clection for filling vacancies.

House of representatives to

4. When vacancies happen in the representation from any state, the executive authority thereof shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies.

5. The house of representafiyes shall choose their speaker and choose speaker, other officers; and shall have the sole power of impeachment.

&c., and have

power of im

peachment.

Senators, how

chosen each to have a vote.

into three classes; to be chosen every two years.

SECTION III.

1. 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.

Senate divided 2: 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 Executives of year; and if vacancies happen by resignation, or otherwise, during the cancies in the re-recess of the legislature of any state, the executive thereof may cess of legislatures, &c. make temporary appointments until the next meeting of the legislature, which shall then fill such vacancies.

states to fill va

30; nine years a

citizen of the

A senator aged 3. 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 and an inhabi- States, and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that state for which he shall be chosen.

United States

tant of his state

when chosen.

to be president of

Vice-president 4. The vice-president of the United States shall be president the senate; to of the senate, but shall have no vote, unless they be equally di

vote on an eq.

div. only.

choose their

vided.

The senate to 5. The senate shall choose their other officers, and also a president pro tempore in the absence of the vice-president, or when he shall exercise the office of president of the United States.

president pro tempore, &c.

The senate have the sole power to try impeachments, &c.

6. 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.

ment in cases of but the party

7. Judgment, in cases of impeachment, shall not extend further Extent of judgthan to removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any impeachment; office of honor, trust, or profit under the United States: but the party further liable by convicted shall, nevertheless, be liable and subject to indictment, trial, law. judgment, and punishment, according to law.

SECTION IV.

indictment at

Times, &c. of holding elections

representatives states or by congress.

1. The times, places, and manner of holding elections for senators and representatives shall be prescribed in each state by the legisla- for senators and ture thereof; but the congress may, at any time, by law, make or regulated by the alter such regulations, except as to the places of choosing senators. 2. The congress shall assemble at least once in every year; such meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless shall by law appoint a different day.

SECTION V.

and

Congress to assemble annually

they the 1st Monday

and

in Dec. unless,, &c.

Each house judge of the elec

cation of its own

1. Each house shall be the judge of the elections, returns, qualifications of its own members; and a majority of each shall con- tion and qualifistitute a quorum to do business; but a smaller number may adjourn members. 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.

2. Each house may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of two thirds, expel a member.

Quorum.

Each house to rules and pun

form its own

ish its members.

house. Yeas and

3. Each house shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and from Journals of each time to time publish the same, excepting such parts as may, in their nays, how taken. 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.

both houses.

4. Neither house, during the session of congress, shall, without Adjournment of 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 VI.

representatives

privileged from

questioned for

1. The senators and representatives shall receive a compensation Senators and for their services, to be ascertained by law, and paid out of the to be paid, &c.; treasury of the United States. They shall, in all cases, except treason, arrest; not to be felony, and breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their debate, &c. 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.