U.S Constitution & Bill of Rights (Updated Translation)

Summary

The United States Constitution and Bill of Rights collectively represent the foundational legal framework of American government, establishing a unique system of federalism, separated powers, and protected individual rights. The Constitution, written in 1787 and ratified in 1788, replaced the ineffective Articles of Confederation with a stronger federal government while maintaining crucial checks and balances.

The main body of the Constitution establishes the three branches of government: the legislative branch (Article I), which creates laws and holds the power of taxation; the executive branch (Article II), which enforces laws and conducts foreign policy; and the judicial branch (Article III), which interprets laws and resolves disputes. This separation of powers creates a system of checks and balances, preventing any single branch from becoming too powerful.

The Constitution outlines the federal system, carefully dividing power between national and state governments. Article IV defines state relationships and guarantees each state a republican form of government, while Article VI establishes the Constitution as the supreme law of the land through the Supremacy Clause, while maintaining states' reserved powers through the Tenth Amendment.

The Bill of Rights, ratified in 1791, consists of the first ten amendments to the Constitution, added to address concerns about potential federal overreach and to protect individual liberties. The First Amendment protects fundamental freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. The Second through Eighth Amendments protect various personal rights, including the right to bear arms, protection against unreasonable searches, due process, and fair trial rights.

Critical procedures for governance are established, including the Electoral College system for presidential elections, the process for impeachment, and methods for amending the Constitution itself. Article V outlines the amendment process, requiring both proposal (by either Congress or state conventions) and ratification (by either state legislatures or state conventions).

The document also addresses practical matters of government operation, including qualifications for office, succession procedures, and the federal government's enumerated powers. The Commerce Clause, Necessary and Proper Clause, and other key provisions have proven particularly important in shaping the scope of federal authority.

U.S Constitution & Bill of Rights (Modern, Updated Translation)

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We, the people of the United States, to create a better union, establish justice, ensure peace at home, provide for our common defense, promote the well-being of everyone, and protect the blessings of freedom for ourselves and future generations, do hereby establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

The Constitutional Convention

Article I

Section 1: Congress

All the law-making powers mentioned here are given to the United States Congress, which is made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Section 2: The House of Representatives

The House of Representatives will be made up of members elected every two years by the people of the different states. The voters in each state must meet the same qualifications required for voters of the largest branch of the state legislature.

No one can be a representative unless they are at least 25 years old, have been a U.S. citizen for seven years, and, when elected, live in the state they are chosen to represent.

Representatives and direct taxes will be divided among the states in this Union based on their populations. This population count will include all free people, those working under a contract for a set number of years, and exclude non-taxed Native Americans. Additionally, it will count three-fifths of all other people. The actual counting, or census, will happen within three years after the first meeting of the U.S. Congress and then every ten years after that, as directed by law. The number of Representatives won't be more than one for every thirty thousand people, but each state will have at least one Representative. Until this count is done, New Hampshire will have three Representatives, 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 there are openings in the representation from any state, the executive authority of that state will issue election writs to fill those vacancies.

The House of Representatives will choose their Speaker and other officers, and they have the exclusive power to impeach.

Section 3: The Senate

The United States Senate will have two senators from each state, chosen by the state's legislature, serving for six years. Each senator gets one vote.

Right after they come together following the first election, they'll be split into three groups as evenly as possible. The seats of the senators in the first group will be up for grabs at the end of the second year, the second group's seats at the end of the fourth year, and the third group's seats at the end of the sixth year. This way, one-third of the seats can be filled every two years. If any spots open up because of resignations or other reasons while the state legislature is on break, the state's executive can make temporary appointments until the legislature meets again to fill those vacancies.

No one can be a senator unless they are at least thirty years old, have been a U.S. citizen for nine years, and are living in the state they want to represent when elected.

The Vice President of the United States will be the President of the Senate, but won't have a vote unless there's a tie.

The Senate will choose their other officers and also a temporary president when the vice president is absent or when the vice president is acting as the president of the United States.

The Senate has the exclusive authority to handle all impeachment trials. When they are conducting these trials, they must be under oath or affirmation. If the President of the United States is on trial, the Chief Justice will lead the proceedings. No one can be convicted unless two-thirds of the members present agree.

In impeachment cases, the judgment can't go beyond removing someone from office and disqualifying them from holding any position of honor, trust, or profit under the United States. However, the person who is convicted can still be charged, tried, judged, and punished according to the law.

Section 4: Elections

The times, places, and way of holding elections for Senators and Representatives will be decided by each state's legislature. However, Congress can change these rules or make new ones at any time, except when it comes to where Senators are chosen.

Congress must meet at least once every year, and this meeting will be on the first Monday in December, unless they decide on a different day by law.

Section 5: Powers and Duties of Congress

Each House will be in charge of judging the elections, returns, and qualifications of its own members. A majority of each House will make up a quorum to conduct business. However, a smaller number can adjourn from day to day and may be given the authority to ensure absent members attend, in whatever way and with whatever penalties each House decides.

Each house can set its own rules for how it operates, discipline its members for bad behavior, and, with a two-thirds majority, kick out a member.

Each house must keep a record of its proceedings and publish it occasionally, except for parts they believe need to be kept secret. If one-fifth of the members present want it, the votes (yeas and nays) of the members on any question must be recorded in the journal.

During a session of Congress, neither house can take a break for more than three days or move to a different location without getting approval from the other house.

Section 6: Member Rights and Limitations

Senators and Representatives will get paid for their work, with the amount set by law, and the money will come from the U.S. Treasury. They can't be arrested while they're attending sessions of their respective Houses, or while traveling to and from these sessions, except in cases of treason, felony, or breach of the peace. Also, they can't be questioned in any other place for any speech or debate they participate in within either House.

No Senator or Representative can be appointed to a civil office under the United States while they're serving their elected term if that office was created or had its benefits increased during that time. Also, anyone holding a position under the United States can't be a member of either House while they're in that position.

Section 7: Legislative Process

All bills to raise money must start in the House of Representatives, but the Senate can suggest changes or agree with changes just like with other bills.

Every bill that passes both the House of Representatives and the Senate must be presented to the President of the United States before it can become a law. If the President approves it, they will sign it. If not, they will return it with their objections to the House where it started. That House will record the objections in their journal and reconsider the bill. If, after reconsideration, two-thirds of that House agree to pass the bill, it will be sent, along with the objections, to the other House for reconsideration. If two-thirds of the other House also approve it, the bill will become a law. In all these cases, the votes in both Houses will be recorded as 'yeas' and 'nays,' and the names of those voting for and against the bill will be entered in the journal of each House. If the President does not return a bill within ten days (excluding Sundays) after it has been presented, it will become a law just as if it had been signed, unless Congress adjourns and prevents its return, in which case it will not become a law.

Every Order, Resolution, or Vote that needs the agreement of both the Senate and the House of Representatives (except when it comes to taking a break) has to be shown to the President of the United States. Before it can take effect, the President must approve it. If the President doesn't approve it, it can still become effective if two-thirds of both the Senate and the House of Representatives vote to pass it again, following the same rules and limits as they would for a Bill.

Section 8: Powers of Congress

Congress has the power to impose and collect taxes, duties, tariffs, and excise taxes to pay off debts and ensure the defense and overall well-being of the United States. However, all duties, tariffs, and excise taxes must be consistent across the entire country.

To borrow money using the credit of the United States;

To manage trade with other countries, between the different states, and with the Indian tribes;

To create consistent rules for becoming a citizen and uniform laws about bankruptcies across the United States;

To mint money, set its value and the value of foreign currency, and establish the standard for weights and measures;

To establish punishments for counterfeiting the securities and current currency of the United States;

To set up Post Offices and postal Roads;

To encourage the advancement of science and the arts by giving authors and inventors exclusive rights to their writings and discoveries for a limited time;

Create courts that are below the Supreme Court;

To define and punish acts of piracy and serious crimes committed on the high seas, as well as offenses against international law;

To declare war, issue letters of marque and reprisal, and establish rules about captures on land and water;

To raise and support armies, but no money allocated for this purpose shall be for a period longer than two years;

To establish and maintain a Navy;

To create rules for governing and regulating the land and naval forces;

To allow for calling up the Militia to enforce federal laws, stop insurrections, and fend off invasions;

To set up, equip, and manage the Militia, and to oversee the portion of them that might be used in the service of the United States, while leaving it up to the individual States to appoint the Officers and handle the training of the Militia according to the rules set by Congress;

To have exclusive authority to make laws in all situations over such a District (not bigger than ten miles square) that, through the cession by specific States and the acceptance of Congress, becomes the capital of the United States. This also applies to any places bought with the approval of the State's Legislature where they are located, for building forts, magazines, arsenals, dockyards, and other necessary buildings; - And

To create any laws that are needed and appropriate for implementing the powers mentioned earlier, as well as any other powers given by this Constitution to the United States Government, or to any of its Departments or Officers.

Section 9: Limits on Congress' Powers

The migration or importation of people that any of the current states choose to allow can't be banned by Congress before the year 1808. However, a tax or duty can be placed on such importation, but it can't be more than ten dollars per person.

The right to Habeas Corpus can't be suspended, unless there's a rebellion or invasion and public safety demands it.

No Bill of Attainder or retroactive law shall be passed.

No direct tax or capitation tax will be imposed unless it's in proportion to the census or population count previously mentioned.

No taxes or duties will be applied to items exported from any state.

No favoritism should be shown by any trade or tax rules to the ports of one state over those of another. Also, ships traveling to or from one state shouldn't have to check in, clear customs, or pay fees in another state.

No money can be taken out of the Treasury unless it's approved by law. A regular report detailing the income and spending of all public money must be published periodically.

The United States won't give out any titles of nobility. Also, anyone holding a position of profit or trust under the U.S. can't accept any gifts, payments, jobs, or titles of any kind from any king, prince, or foreign country without Congress's approval.

Section 10: Powers Denied to the States

No state is allowed to make any treaties, alliances, or confederations; issue permits for privateering; create its own money; issue its own currency; use anything other than gold and silver coins as payment for debts; pass any laws that declare someone guilty without a trial, apply laws retroactively, or interfere with contracts; or give out titles of nobility.

No State can, without Congress's approval, impose any taxes or duties on imports or exports, except for what's absolutely necessary to enforce its inspection laws. The net revenue from any taxes or duties imposed by a State on imports or exports must go to the U.S. Treasury, and all such laws are subject to Congress's review and control.

No state can, without Congress's approval, charge any tonnage fees, keep troops or warships during peacetime, make any agreements or deals with another state or a foreign country, or go to war, unless they're actually invaded or in such immediate danger that they can't afford to wait.

Article II

Section 1

The executive power will be held by the President of the United States.

He will hold his office for a term of four years, and, along with the Vice President, who is chosen for the same term, will be elected as follows:

Each state will choose a number of Electors in a way that its Legislature decides. This number will be equal to the total number of Senators and Representatives that the state has in Congress. However, no Senator, Representative, or person holding a position of trust or profit under the United States can be appointed as an Elector.

The Electors will meet in their respective states and vote by ballot for two people, with at least one of them not being from the same state as the Electors. They will make a list of everyone voted for and the number of votes each person received. This list will be signed, certified, and sent sealed to the U.S. government, addressed to the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate will open all the certificates in front of the Senate and House of Representatives, and the votes will be counted. The person with the most votes will become President, as long as they have a majority of the total Electors appointed. If more than one person has such a majority and they have the same number of votes, the House of Representatives will immediately choose one of them as President by ballot. If no one has a majority, the House will choose the President from the top five candidates on the list in the same manner. When choosing the President, the votes will be taken by states, with each state's representation having one vote. A quorum for this purpose will consist of members from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states is needed to make a choice. In every case, after the President is chosen, the person with the most votes from the Electors will be the Vice President. If there are two or more people with equal votes, the Senate will choose the Vice President from them by ballot.

Congress can decide when the Electors are chosen and the day they cast their votes, and that day has to be the same all across the United States.

No one except a natural-born citizen, or a citizen of the United States at the time this Constitution was adopted, can be eligible to become President. Also, anyone who wants to be President must be at least 35 years old and must have lived in the United States for at least 14 years.

If the President is removed from office, or if they die, resign, or can't perform their duties, the Vice President takes over. Congress can also make laws about what happens if both the President and Vice President are removed, die, resign, or can't perform their duties, deciding who will act as President in that situation. That person will serve as President until the issue is resolved or a new President is elected.

The President will receive a salary at set times for their services, and this amount can't be increased or decreased during the term they were elected for. During this time, they also can't receive any other payment or benefit from the United States or any individual state.

Before starting his duties, he must take the following Oath or Affirmation:--"I solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully carry out the role of President of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States."

Section 2

The President is the Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and also of the state militias when they are called into actual service for the country. The President can ask for written opinions from the top officials in each executive department about anything related to their job duties. Additionally, the President has the power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment.

He can make treaties, but only if two-thirds of the Senators present agree. He also gets to nominate and, with the Senate's approval, appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Supreme Court Judges, and all other U.S. Officers whose appointments aren't otherwise specified here and are established by law. However, Congress can decide by law to let the President, the Courts, or Department Heads appoint certain lower-level officers if they think that's appropriate.

The President has the power to fill any vacancies that occur while the Senate is on break, by giving temporary appointments that will last until the end of the Senate's next session.

Section 3

From time to time, he will update Congress on the State of the Union and suggest any measures he thinks are necessary and helpful. On special occasions, he can call both Houses, or just one, to meet. If they can't agree on when to adjourn, he can decide on a time for them. He will welcome ambassadors and other public officials, ensure that the laws are properly enforced, and appoint all the officers of the United States.

Section 4

The President, Vice President, and all civil officers of the United States can be removed from office if they are impeached and found guilty of treason, bribery, or other serious crimes and misconduct.

Article III

Section 1

The judicial power of the United States will be held by one Supreme Court and any lower courts that Congress decides to create over time. Judges in both the Supreme Court and lower courts will keep their positions as long as they demonstrate good behavior. They will receive a salary for their work, which cannot be reduced while they are in office.

Section 2

The judicial power covers all cases, in law and equity, that come up under this Constitution, the laws of the United States, and treaties made, or that will be made, under their authority; it includes all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers, and consuls; all cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction; disputes involving the United States as a party; disputes between two or more states; between a state and citizens of another state; between citizens of different states; between citizens of the same state claiming lands under grants of different states; and between a state, or its citizens, and foreign states, citizens, or subjects.

In any cases involving Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and cases where a State is a party, the Supreme Court has original jurisdiction. For all other cases previously mentioned, the Supreme Court has appellate jurisdiction, covering both law and fact, with any exceptions and regulations that Congress decides on.

All criminal trials, except for impeachment cases, will be decided by a jury. These trials should take place in the state where the crime happened. If the crime didn't happen in any state, the trial will be held at a location or locations determined by Congress through law.

Section 3

Treason against the United States is defined as either waging war against the country or supporting its enemies by giving them help and comfort. No one can be found guilty of treason unless there are two witnesses to the same clear act, or the person confesses in open court.

Congress has the power to decide the punishment for treason, but declaring someone guilty of treason won't affect their family's rights or property, except while the person found guilty is still alive.

Article IV

Section 1

Every state must respect and honor the public laws, records, and court decisions of every other state. Congress can set general laws on how these laws, records, and decisions should be proven and what impact they have.

Section 2

Citizens of each state are entitled to all the same rights and protections as citizens in every other state.

If someone is charged with treason, a felony, or another crime in any state and they run away to another state, they must be returned to the state where the crime happened if the governor of that state requests it.

No person who is required to work or serve in one state, according to its laws, and then escapes to another state, shall be freed from that obligation because of any law or rule in the new state. Instead, they must be returned to the person who is owed their service or labor if that person claims them.

Section 3

Congress can admit new states into the Union, but no new state can be created within the boundaries of an existing state. Also, no state can be formed by joining two or more states, or parts of states, without the approval of the legislatures of the states involved and Congress.

Congress has the power to manage and create all necessary rules and regulations regarding the territories or other properties owned by the United States. Nothing in this Constitution should be interpreted in a way that harms any claims of the United States or any specific state.

Section 4

The United States promises every State in this Union a Republican form of government and will protect each of them from invasion. It will also protect them from domestic violence if requested by the Legislature or the Executive when the Legislature can't meet.

Article V

Whenever two-thirds of both Houses of Congress think it's necessary, they can propose Amendments to the Constitution. Alternatively, if two-thirds of the state legislatures request it, Congress can call a Convention to propose Amendments. In either case, these Amendments become part of the Constitution once they're ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures or by Conventions in three-fourths of the states, depending on which method Congress suggests. However, no Amendment made before 1808 can affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article, and no state can lose its equal vote in the Senate without its consent.

Article VI

All debts and agreements made before this Constitution was adopted will still be valid against the United States under this Constitution, just like they were under the Confederation.

This Constitution, along with the Laws of the United States that are made in accordance with it, and all Treaties made under the authority of the United States, will be the highest law of the land. Judges in every state must follow them, even if there is anything in the state’s Constitution or laws that says otherwise.

The Senators and Representatives mentioned earlier, along with the Members of the different State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the individual States, must take an Oath or Affirmation to support this Constitution. However, no religious Test will ever be required as a Qualification for any Office or public Trust under the United States.

Article VII

The approval of the Conventions of nine States will be enough to establish this Constitution among the States that ratify it.

First Amendment

Congress can't make any laws about setting up a religion or stopping people from practicing their religion freely. They also can't limit freedom of speech or the press, or stop people from gathering peacefully and petitioning the government to fix problems.

Second Amendment

A well-organized militia is essential for the security of a free state, so the right of the people to keep and bear arms should not be violated.

Third Amendment

In peacetime, no soldier can stay in someone's house without the owner's permission. Even during war, it can only happen in a way that's set by law.

Fourth Amendment

People have the right to feel safe in their bodies, homes, documents, and belongings from unreasonable searches and seizures. This right shouldn't be violated. Warrants can only be issued if there's probable cause, backed by an oath or affirmation, and they must clearly specify the place to be searched and the people or things to be taken.

Fifth Amendment

No one can be charged with a serious crime without a formal accusation by a Grand Jury, except in cases involving the military or militia when they are actively serving during war or public emergencies. Also, no one can be tried twice for the same crime, forced to testify against themselves in a criminal case, or lose their life, freedom, or property without fair legal procedures. Additionally, private property can't be taken for public use without fair payment.

Sixth Amendment

In every criminal case, the person accused has the right to a quick and public trial, with an unbiased jury from the state and area where the crime happened, which must be determined by law beforehand. They also have the right to know what they're being accused of and why; to face the witnesses who are testifying against them; to have a way to get witnesses who can help their case; and to have a lawyer to help with their defense.

Seventh Amendment

In common law cases where the amount in dispute is more than twenty dollars, the right to a jury trial will be maintained. Also, any fact that has been decided by a jury cannot be re-examined in any U.S. court except according to the rules of common law.

Eighth Amendment

You can't require excessive bail, impose excessive fines, or inflict cruel and unusual punishments.

Ninth Amendment

Just because the Constitution lists certain rights doesn't mean other rights that people have are any less important or don't exist.

10th Amendment

Any powers that the Constitution doesn't give to the United States, or doesn't stop the States from having, are kept by the States themselves or by the people.

11th Amendment

The judicial power of the United States doesn't cover any legal cases started or pursued against one of the United States by citizens of another state, or by citizens or subjects of any foreign country.

12th Amendment

The Electors will meet in their own states and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President. At least one of them must not be from the same state as the Electors. They'll write down the name of the person they're voting for as President on one ballot, and the name of the person they're voting for as Vice-President on another. They'll make separate lists of everyone voted for as President and as Vice-President, along with the number of votes each person received. These lists will be signed, certified, and sent sealed to the U.S. government's headquarters, addressed to the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate will open all the certificates in front of the Senate and House of Representatives, and the votes will be counted. The person with the most votes for President becomes the President, as long as they have a majority of all the Electors' votes. If no one has a majority, then the House of Representatives will choose the President from the top three candidates by ballot. When choosing the President, each state gets one vote, and a quorum requires members from two-thirds of the states, with a majority of all the states needed to make a choice. If the House of Representatives doesn't choose a President by March 4th, the Vice-President will act as President, just like in the case of the President's death or other constitutional disability. The person with the most votes for Vice-President becomes the Vice-President, if they have a majority of the Electors' votes. If no one has a majority, the Senate will choose the Vice-President from the top two candidates. A quorum for this requires two-thirds of all Senators, and a majority of the whole number is needed to make a choice. However, anyone who can't be President according to the Constitution can't be Vice-President either.

13th Amendment

Section 1

Slavery and forced labor aren't allowed in the United States or anywhere under its control, unless it's a punishment for a crime where the person has been properly convicted.

Section 2

Congress has the power to enforce this article through suitable laws.

14th Amendment

Section 1

Anyone born or naturalized in the United States, and under its jurisdiction, is a citizen of both the United States and the state where they live. No state can create or enforce any law that reduces the rights or protections of U.S. citizens. Also, no state can take away a person's life, freedom, or property without following legal procedures, nor can it deny anyone within its jurisdiction equal protection under the law.

Section 2

Representatives will be distributed among the states based on their populations, counting everyone in each state, except for Native Americans who aren't taxed. However, if the right to vote in any election for choosing electors for President and Vice-President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, state Executive and Judicial officers, or state Legislature members is denied to any male citizens of that state who are 21 years old and U.S. citizens, or if their voting rights are restricted in any way (except for reasons like rebellion or other crimes), the state's representation will be reduced in proportion to the number of such male citizens compared to the total number of male citizens aged 21 in that state.

Section 3

No one can be a Senator or Representative in Congress, an elector for President and Vice-President, or hold any civil or military office in the United States or any State if they've previously taken an oath to support the U.S. Constitution and then participated in an insurrection or rebellion against it, or helped its enemies. However, Congress can remove this restriction with a two-thirds vote in each House.

Section 4

The legitimacy of the U.S. public debt, as authorized by law, including debts for pensions and rewards for services in stopping insurrection or rebellion, cannot be questioned. However, neither the United States nor any State will take on or pay any debt or obligation that was incurred to support insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or freeing of any slave; all such debts, obligations, and claims will be considered illegal and void.

Section 5

Congress has the power to enforce the rules of this article through appropriate laws.

15th Amendment

Section 1

Citizens of the United States have the right to vote, and this right can't be denied or limited by the United States or any State because of their race, color, or past condition of being a servant.

Section 2

Congress has the power to enforce this article through appropriate laws.

16th Amendment

Congress has the power to impose and collect taxes on incomes, no matter where they come from, without having to distribute them among the different states or consider any census or headcount.

17th Amendment

The United States Senate will have two Senators from each State, elected by the people for six years. Each Senator gets one vote. The voters in each State must meet the qualifications needed to vote for the largest branch of the State legislatures.

When there are openings in a State's representation in the Senate, the state's executive authority will call for elections to fill those spots. However, the state's legislature can allow the executive to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies through an election, as directed by the legislature.

This amendment shouldn't be interpreted in a way that affects the election or term of any Senator who was elected before it officially becomes part of the Constitution.

18th Amendment

Section 1

One year after this article is approved, making, selling, or transporting alcoholic drinks within the United States, bringing them into the country, or sending them out of the country for drinking purposes is banned.

Section 2

Both Congress and the individual states have the shared authority to enforce this article through suitable laws.

Section 3

This article won't take effect unless it's ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the state legislatures, as outlined in the Constitution, within seven years from the date Congress submits it to the states.

19th Amendment

Citizens of the United States have the right to vote, and this right cannot be denied or limited by the United States or any State because of their gender.

Congress has the power to enforce this article through appropriate laws.

20th Amendment

Section 1

The President and Vice President's terms will end at noon on January 20th, and Senators and Representatives' terms will end at noon on January 3rd, in the years when their terms would have ended if this article hadn't been approved. Their successors' terms will start right after.

Section 2

Congress must meet at least once every year, starting at noon on January 3rd, unless they decide on a different day by law.

Section 3

If the President-elect dies before their term starts, the Vice President-elect will become President. If no President has been chosen by the start of the term, or if the President-elect hasn't qualified, the Vice President-elect will act as President until someone qualifies. Congress can also make laws for situations where neither the President-elect nor the Vice President-elect has qualified, deciding who will act as President or how that person will be chosen. That person will act as President until a President or Vice President qualifies.

Section 4

Congress can make laws to handle what happens if any of the people the House of Representatives might pick for President pass away when it's their turn to choose. They can also make laws for what happens if any of the people the Senate might pick for Vice President pass away when it's their turn to choose.

Section 5

Sections 1 and 2 will kick in on October 15th after this article gets approved.

Section 6

This article won't take effect unless it's approved as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the states within seven years from when it's submitted.

21st Amendment

Part 1

The 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution is officially repealed.

Section 2

Bringing or importing alcoholic drinks into any State, Territory, or possession of the United States for delivery or use, if it breaks their laws, is not allowed.

Section 3

This article won't take effect unless it's ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by conventions in the various States, as outlined in the Constitution, within seven years from when Congress submits it to the States.

22nd Amendment

Section 1

No one can be elected as President more than twice. If someone has served as President for more than two years of a term that someone else was elected for, they can only be elected as President once. However, this rule doesn't apply to anyone who was already President when Congress proposed this rule. It also doesn't stop anyone who is President or acting as President when this rule takes effect from finishing their current term.

Section 2

This article won't take effect unless it's been approved as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the States within seven years from the date Congress submitted it to the States.

23rd Amendment

Part 1

The area that serves as the seat of the U.S. government will appoint in whatever way Congress decides:

The number of electors for President and Vice President will be the same as the total number of Senators and Representatives in Congress that the District would have if it were a State, but it won't be more than the least populated State. These electors will be in addition to those chosen by the States, but for the purpose of electing the President and Vice President, they'll be treated as if they were appointed by a State. They will meet in the District and carry out their duties as outlined in the twelfth amendment.

Section 2

Congress has the power to enforce this article through appropriate laws.

24th Amendment

Section 1

Citizens of the United States have the right 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, and this right cannot be denied or limited by the United States or any State because they haven't paid a poll tax or any other tax.

Section 2

Congress has the power to enforce this article through appropriate laws.

25th Amendment

Part 1

If the President is removed from office, passes away, or resigns, the Vice President will become the President.

Section 2

Whenever there's an opening for the Vice President, the President will nominate someone for the position. That person will officially become Vice President once a majority of both Houses of Congress vote to confirm them.

Section 3

Whenever the President sends a written statement to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives saying that they can't carry out their duties, the Vice President will take over as Acting President until the President sends another written statement saying they're ready to resume their duties.

Part 4

If the Vice President and most of the main leaders of the executive departments, or another group that Congress has set up by law, send a written statement to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives saying that the President can't do their job, the Vice President will immediately take over the powers and duties as Acting President.

After that, when the President sends a written statement to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives saying that he is able to perform his duties, he will take back his role unless the Vice President and a majority of the main officers of the executive department, or another group that Congress has set up by law, send their own written statement within four days to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives saying the President can't do his job. Then, Congress will decide the matter, meeting within forty-eight hours for this purpose if they aren't already in session. If Congress, within twenty-one days after getting the second statement, or if they're not in session, within twenty-one days after they're required to meet, decides by a two-thirds vote in both Houses that the President can't do his job, the Vice President will keep acting as President. If not, the President will get back to his duties.

26th Amendment

Part 1

Citizens of the United States who are 18 years old or older have the right to vote, and this right can't be denied or limited by the United States or any State because of their age.

Section 2

Congress has the power to enforce this article through appropriate laws.

27th Amendment

Any law that changes how much Senators and Representatives get paid won't start working until after there's been an election for Representatives.

No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened.