United States Constitution Printable Version
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| Unratified Amendments |
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Thirty-three amendments to the United States Constitution have been proposed by the United States Congress and sent to the states for ratification since the Constitution was put into operation on March 4, 1789. Twenty-seven of these, having been ratified by the requisite number of states, are part of the Constitution. The first ten amendments were adopted and ratified simultaneously and are known collectively as the Bill of Rights. Six amendments adopted by Congress and sent to the states have not been ratified by the required number of states. Four of these amendments are still technically open and pending, one is closed and has failed by its own terms, and one is closed and has failed by the terms of the resolution proposing it. All 33 amendments are listed and detailed in the tables below.
Article Five of the United States Constitution details the two-step process for amending the nation's frame of government. Amendments must be properly proposed and ratified before becoming operative. This process was designed to strike a balance between the excesses of constant change and inflexibility.[1]
An amendment may be proposed and sent to the states for ratification by either:- The United States Congress, whenever a two-thirds majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives deem it necessary;
- or
- A national convention, called by Congress for this purpose, on the application of the legislatures of two-thirds (currently 34) of the states..[2][3]
- The legislatures of three-fourths (currently 38) of the states, within the stipulated time period if one is set;
- or
- State ratifying conventions in three-fourths (currently 38) of the states, within the stipulated time period if one is set.[2][3]
Approximately 11,770 proposals to amend the Constitution have been introduced in Congress since 1789 (as of January 3, 2019).[5] Collectively, members of the House and Senate typically propose around 200 amendments during each two–year term of Congress.[6] Most, however, never get out of the Congressional committees in which they were proposed, and only a fraction of those that do receive enough support to win Congressional approval to go through the constitutional ratification process.Beginning in the early 20th century, Congress has usually, but not always, stipulated that an amendment must be ratified by the required number of states within seven years from the date of its submission to the states in order to become part of the Constitution. Congress' authority to set ratification deadline was affirmed by the United States Supreme Court in Coleman v. Miller, 307U.S.433 (1939).
- 1Ratified amendments
- 2Unratified amendments
Ratified amendments[edit]
Synopsis of each ratified amendment[edit]
| No. | Subject[7] | Ratification[8][9] | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Submitted | Completed | Time span | ||
| 1st | Prohibits Congress from making any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering with the right to peaceably assemble or prohibiting the right to petition the government | September 25, 1789 | December 15, 1791 | 2 years, 81 days |
| 2nd | Protects the right to keep and bear arms | September 25, 1789 | December 15, 1791 | 2 years, 81 days |
| 3rd | Places restrictions on the quartering of soldiers in private homes | September 25, 1789 | December 15, 1791 | 2 years, 81 days |
| 4th | Prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures and sets out requirements for search warrants based on probable cause | September 25, 1789 | December 15, 1791 | 2 years, 81 days |
| 5th | Sets out rules for indictment by grand jury and eminent domain, protects the right to due process, and prohibits self-incrimination and double jeopardy | September 25, 1789 | December 15, 1791 | 2 years, 81 days |
| 6th | Protects the right to a fair and speedypublictrial by jury, including the rights to be notified of the accusations, to confront the accuser, to obtain witnesses and to retain counsel | September 25, 1789 | December 15, 1791 | 2 years, 81 days |
| 7th | Provides for the right to trial by jury in certain civil cases, according to common law | September 25, 1789 | December 15, 1791 | 2 years, 81 days |
| 8th | Prohibits excessive fines and excessive bail, as well as cruel and unusual punishment | September 25, 1789 | December 15, 1791 | 2 years, 81 days |
| 9th | Protects rights not enumerated in the Constitution | September 25, 1789 | December 15, 1791 | 2 years, 81 days |
| 10th | Reinforces the principle of federalism by stating that the federal government possesses only those powers delegated to it by the states or the people through the Constitution | September 25, 1789 | December 15, 1791 | 2 years, 81 days |
| 11th | Makes states immune from suits from out-of-state citizens and foreigners not living within the state borders; lays the foundation for sovereign immunity | March 4, 1794 | February 7, 1795 | 340 days |
| 12th | Revises presidential election procedures by having the president and vice president elected together as opposed to the vice president being the runner up in the presidential election | December 9, 1803 | June 15, 1804 | 189 days |
| 13th | Abolishes slavery, and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime | January 31, 1865 | December 6, 1865 | 309 days |
| 14th | Defines citizenship, contains the Privileges or Immunities Clause, the Due Process Clause, the Equal Protection Clause, and deals with post–Civil War issues | June 13, 1866 | July 9, 1868 | 2 years, 26 days |
| 15th | Prohibits the denial of the right to vote based on race, color or previous condition of servitude | February 26, 1869 | February 3, 1870 | 342 days |
| 16th | Permits Congress to levy an income tax without apportioning it among the various states or basing it on the United States Census | July 12, 1909 | February 3, 1913 | 3 years, 206 days |
| 17th | Establishes the direct election of United States Senators by popular vote | May 13, 1912 | April 8, 1913 | 330 days |
| 18th | Prohibited the manufacturing or sale of alcohol within the United States (Repealed December 5, 1933, via the 21st Amendment) | December 18, 1917 | January 16, 1919 | 1 year, 29 days |
| 19th | Prohibits the denial of the right to vote based on sex | June 4, 1919 | August 18, 1920 | 1 year, 75 days |
| 20th | Changes the date on which the terms of the president and vice president and of members of Congress end and begin (to January 20 and January 3 respectively) | March 2, 1932 | January 23, 1933 | 327 days |
| 21st | Repeals the 18th Amendment and makes it a federal offense to transport or import intoxicating liquors into U.S. states and territories where such transport or importation is prohibited by the laws of those states and territories | February 20, 1933 | December 5, 1933 | 288 days |
| 22nd | Limits the number of times that a person can be elected president: a person cannot be elected president more than twice, and a person who has served more than two years of a term to which someone else was elected cannot be elected more than once | March 24, 1947 | February 27, 1951 | 3 years, 340 days |
| 23rd | Grants the District of Columbia electors (the number of electors being equal to those of the least populous state) in the Electoral College | June 16, 1960 | March 29, 1961 | 286 days |
| 24th | Prohibits the revocation of voting rights due to the non-payment of a poll tax or any other tax | September 14, 1962 | January 23, 1964 | 1 year, 131 days |
| 25th | Addresses succession to the presidency and establishes procedures both for filling a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, as well as responding to Presidential disabilities | July 6, 1965 | February 10, 1967 | 1 year, 219 days |
| 26th | Prohibits the denial of the right of US citizens, eighteen years of age or older, to vote on account of age | March 23, 1971 | July 1, 1971 | 100 days |
| 27th | Delays laws affecting Congressional salary from taking effect until after the next election of representatives | September 25, 1789 | May 5, 1992 | 202 years, 223 days |
Summation of ratification data for each ratified amendment[edit]
| ' Y ' indicates that state ratified amendment | ||||||||||||||||||
| ' N ' indicates that state rejected amendment | ||||||||||||||||||
| ' Y(‡) ' indicates that state ratified amendment after first rejecting it | ||||||||||||||||||
| ' Y(×) ' indicates that state ratified amendment, later rescinded that ratification, but subsequently re-ratified it | ||||||||||||||||||
| ' — ' indicates that state did not complete action on amendment | ||||||||||||||||||
| ' … ' indicates that amendment was ratified before state joined the Union | ||||||||||||||||||
| State (in order of statehood) | 1–10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware | Y | Y | N | Y(‡) | Y(‡) | Y(‡) | Y | Y(‡) | Y | Y(‡) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Pennsylvania | Y | — | Y | Y | Y | Y | — | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | — |
| New Jersey | Y | — | Y | Y(‡) | Y(×) | Y(‡) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Georgia | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y(‡) | Y | Y | — | Y | Y(‡) | Y | — | Y | — | — | — | Y | Y |
| Connecticut | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Massachusetts | Y | Y | Y(‡) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | — |
| Maryland | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y(‡) | Y(‡) | Y | Y | Y | Y(‡) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| South Carolina | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y(‡) | Y | Y | — | Y | Y(‡) | Y | N | Y | — | — | Y | Y | Y |
| New Hampshire | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y(‡) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Virginia | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y(‡) | Y | N | — | Y | Y(‡) | Y | Y | Y | — | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| New York | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y(×) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | — |
| North Carolina | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y(‡) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | — | Y | — | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Rhode Island | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | — | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Vermont | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Kentucky | … | Y | Y | Y(‡) | Y(‡) | Y(‡) | Y | — | Y | Y | Y | Y | — | — | Y | Y | — | Y |
| Tennessee | … | … | Y | Y | Y | Y(‡) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Ohio | … | … | Y | Y | Y(×) | Y(‡) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Louisiana | … | … | … | Y | Y(‡) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y(‡) | Y | — | Y | — | — | Y | Y | Y |
| Indiana | … | … | … | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Mississippi | … | … | … | Y(‡) | Y | Y | Y | — | Y | Y(‡) | Y | — | Y | — | N | Y | — | — |
| Illinois | … | … | … | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Alabama | … | … | … | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y(‡) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Maine | … | … | … | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Missouri | … | … | … | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Arkansas | … | … | … | Y | Y | Y | Y(‡) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | — | Y | Y | Y |
| Michigan | … | … | … | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Florida | … | … | … | Y | Y | Y | — | — | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | — | Y | Y | — | Y |
| Texas | … | … | … | Y | Y(‡) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | — | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Iowa | … | … | … | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Wisconsin | … | … | … | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| California | … | … | … | Y | Y | Y(‡) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Minnesota | … | … | … | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Oregon | … | … | … | Y | Y(×) | Y(‡) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Kansas | … | … | … | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | — | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| West Virginia | … | … | … | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | — | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Nevada | … | … | … | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | — | Y |
| Nebraska | … | … | … | … | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | — | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Colorado | … | … | … | … | … | … | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| North Dakota | … | … | … | … | … | … | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | — | Y | Y | Y | — | — | Y |
| South Dakota | … | … | … | … | … | … | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | — | Y | Y | Y | — | — | Y |
| Montana | … | … | … | … | … | … | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Washington | … | … | … | … | … | … | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | — | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Idaho | … | … | … | … | … | … | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Wyoming | … | … | … | … | … | … | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | — | Y | Y | Y |
| Utah | … | … | … | … | … | … | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | — | Y |
| Oklahoma | … | … | … | … | … | … | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | — | N | Y | — | Y | Y | Y |
| New Mexico | … | … | … | … | … | … | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | — | Y |
| Arizona | … | … | … | … | … | … | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | — | Y | — | Y | Y | Y |
| Alaska | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Hawaii | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| State (in order of statehood) | 1–10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 |
| Source: [10] | ||||||||||||||||||
Unratified amendments[edit]
Synopsis of each unratified amendment[edit]
| Title | Subject | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Congressional Apportionment Amendment | Would strictly regulate the size of congressional districts for representation in the House of Representatives. | Pending since September 25, 1789 |
| Titles of Nobility Amendment | Would strip citizenship from any United States citizen who accepts a title of nobility from a foreign country. | Pending since May 1, 1810 |
| Corwin Amendment | Would make the states' 'domestic institutions' (slavery) impervious to the constitutional amendment procedures established in Article V and immune to abolition or interference from Congress. | Pending since March 2, 1861 |
| Child Labor Amendment | Would empower the federal government to limit, regulate, and prohibit child labor. | Pending since June 2, 1924 |
| Equal Rights Amendment | Would have prohibited deprivation of equality of rights by the federal or state governments on account of sex. | Initial ratification period ended March 22, 1979, and extension period ended June 30, 1982; amendment failed |
| District of Columbia Voting Rights Amendment | Would have treated the District of Columbia as if it were a state regarding representation in the United States Congress (including repealing the 23rd Amendment), representation in the Electoral College and participation in the process by which the Constitution is amended. | Ratification period ended August 22, 1985; amendment failed |
Summation of ratification data for each unratified amendment[edit]
| ' Y ' indicates that state ratified amendment | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ' N ' indicates that state rejected amendment | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ' Y(‡) ' indicates that state ratified amendment after first rejecting it | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ' Y(×) ' indicates that state ratified amendment, but later rescinded that ratification | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ' ⋈ ' indicates that state did not complete action on amendment during stated ratification period. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ' ' An empty cell indicates that state has not completed action on pending amendment. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| State (in alphabetical order) | Congressional Apportionment | Corwin | Equal Rights | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | ⋈ | ⋈ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alaska | Y | ⋈ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Arizona | Y | ⋈ | ⋈ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Arkansas | Y | ⋈ | ⋈ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| California | Y | Y | ⋈ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Colorado | Y | Y | ⋈ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Connecticut | N | N | N | Y | Y | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Delaware | N | Y | N | Y | Y | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Florida | N | ⋈ | ⋈ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Georgia | N | Y | N | ⋈ | ⋈ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hawaii | Y | Y | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Idaho | Y | Y(×) | ⋈ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Illinois | Y | Y | ⋈Y | ⋈ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Indiana | Y(‡) | Y | ⋈ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Iowa | Y | Y | Y | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kansas | Y(‡) | Y | ⋈ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kentucky | Y | Y | Y | Y(‡) | Y(×) | ⋈ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Louisiana | N | ⋈ | Y | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Maine | Y(‡) | Y | Y | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Maryland | Y | Y | Y(×) | N | Y | Y | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Massachusetts | N | Y | N | Y | Y | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Michigan | Y | Y | Y | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Minnesota | Y(‡) | Y | Y | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mississippi | ⋈ | ⋈ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Missouri | N | ⋈ | ⋈ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Montana | Y | Y | ⋈ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nebraska | Y(×) | ⋈ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nevada | Y | ⋈Y | ⋈ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New Hampshire | Y | Y | Y(‡) | Y | ⋈ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New Jersey | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New Mexico | Y(‡) | Y | ⋈ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New York | Y | N | Y | ⋈ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| North Carolina | Y | Y | N | ⋈ | ⋈ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| North Dakota | Y | Y | ⋈ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ohio | Y | Y(×) | Y | Y | Y | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Oklahoma | Y | ⋈ | ⋈ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Oregon | Y | Y | Y | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pennsylvania | Y(‡) | Y | Y(‡) | Y | ⋈ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rhode Island | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| South Carolina | Y | N | ⋈ | ⋈ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| South Dakota | N | Y(×) | ⋈ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tennessee | Y | N | Y(×) | ⋈ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Texas | N | Y | ⋈ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Utah | Y(‡) | ⋈ | ⋈ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vermont | Y | Y | N | Y | ⋈ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Virginia | Y | N | ⋈ | ⋈ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Washington | Y | Y | ⋈ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| West Virginia | Y | Y | Y | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wisconsin | Y | Y | Y | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wyoming | Y | Y | ⋈ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Heritage Guide to The Constitution. The Heritage Foundation. Retrieved October 29, 2018.External links[edit]
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_amendments_to_the_United_States_Constitution&oldid=899446776'
The United States Constitution is the highest law of the United States of America. It was signed on September 17, 1787 by the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Later, it was put into effect, or ratified, by representatives of the people of the first 13 states.[1] When nine of the states ratified the document, they created a union of sovereign states, and a federal government for that union. That government started on March 4, 1789, taking the place of the Articles of Confederation. The Constitution of the United States is the oldest federal constitution now in use.[2] Since 1787, changes have been made to the United States Constitution 27 times by amendments (changes). The first ten of these amendments are together called the Bill of Rights.
Articles of the Constitution[changechange source]When it was signed in 1787, the Constitution had a preamble and seven main parts, called articles. Preamble[changechange source]The Preamble states:
The Preamble is not a law. It gives the reasons for writing the Constitution. The Preamble is one of the best-known parts of the Constitution. The first three words, 'We the people,' are used very often. The six intentions that are listed are the goals of the Constitution. Legislative power[changechange source]Article One says that the United States Congress (the legislative branch) will make the laws for the United States. Congress has two parts, called 'Houses': the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate. This Article says who can be elected to each part of Congress, and how they are elected. The House of Representatives has members elected by the people in each state. The number of members from each state depends on how many people live there. Each member of the House of Representatives is elected for two years. The Senate has two members, called Senators, from each state, no matter how many people live there. Each Senator is elected for six years. The original Constitution allowed the state legislatures to choose the Senators, but this was changed later by the Seventeenth Amendment. Article One also says how the Congress will do its business and what kinds of laws it can make. It lists some kinds of laws the Congress and the states cannot make. Article One also makes rules for Congress to impeach and remove from office the President, Vice President, judges, and other government officers. Executive power[changechange source]Article Two says that the President, Vice President, and executive offices (the executive branch) will carry out the laws made by Congress. This article says how the President and Vice President are elected, and who can be elected to these offices. The President and Vice President are elected for four years by a special Electoral College chosen by the states. The Vice President takes over as President if the President dies, resigns, or is unable to serve. Article Two also says that the President is the Commander-in-Chief in charge of the United States military. He can make treaties with other countries, but these must be approved by two-thirds of the Senate. He appoints judges, ambassadors, and other officers, but the Senate also must approve these appointments. The President can also vetobills. However, Congress can override the veto and make the bill into a law anyway. Judicial power[changechange source]Article Three says there will be a court system (the judicial branch), which includes the Supreme Court. The Article says that Congress can decide which federal courts, besides the Supreme Court, are needed. Article Three says what kinds of 'cases and controversies' these courts can decide. It also requires trial by jury in all criminal cases, and defines the crime of treason. States' powers and limits[changechange source]Article Four is about the states. It says that all states must give 'full faith and credit' to the laws of the other states. It also says that state governments must treat citizens of other states as fairly as they treat their own citizens, and must send arrested people back if they have been charged with a crime in another state and fled. Article Four also says that Congress can make new states. There were only 13 states in 1787. Now there are 50 United States. It says Congress can make rules for Federal property and can govern territories that have not yet been made into states. Article Four says the United States must make sure that each state has a republican form of government, and protect the states from invasion and violence. Process of amendment[changechange source]Article Five gives two ways to amend, or change, the Constitution.
Any change that is written by Congress or by a convention must be sent to the state legislatures or to state conventions for their approval. Congress decides whether to send a change to the legislatures or to conventions. Three-fourths of the states must approve a change for it to become part of the Constitution. An amendment can change any part of the Constitution, except one—no amendment can change the rule that each state has an equal number of Senators in the United States Senate. Federal power[changechange source]Article Six says that the Constitution, and the laws and treaties of the United States, are higher than any other laws. It also says that all federal and state officers must swear to 'support' the Constitution. Ratification[changechange source]Article Seven says that the new government under the Constitution would not start until conventions in at least nine states approved the Constitution. Amendments[changechange source]Since 1787, Congress has written 33 amendments to change the Constitution, but the states have ratified only 27 of them. The first ten amendments are called the Bill of Rights. They were argued over during the Constitutional Convention of 1787, but it wasn't until 1791 that they were ratified by two-thirds of the states.[3] These ten additions or changes all limited the power of the federal government. They are:
After the Bill of Rights, there are 17 more changes to the Constitution that were made at different times.
Related pages[changechange source]Related documents[changechange source]Related Authors[changechange source]References[changechange source]
Other websites[changechange source]
National Archives[changechange source]Official U.S. government sources[changechange source]
Non-government web sites[changechange source]
Activist/advocacy web sites[changechange source]
References[changechange source]
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