Amendments 11 to 27

Passed by Congress March 4, 1794. Ratified February 7, 1795.

Passed by Congress on March 4, 1794. Ratified on February 7, 1795.

Note: Article III, section 2, of the Constitution was modified by amendment 11.

Note: Article III, section 2, of the Constitution was changed by 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 State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State.

The judicial power of the United States must not be interpreted to cover certain lawsuits against a state. This limit applies to lawsuits in law or equity brought or pursued by citizens of another state. The same limit applies when citizens or subjects of a foreign state bring or pursue such lawsuits.

Passed by Congress December 9, 1803. Ratified June 15, 1804.

Passed by Congress on December 9, 1803. Ratified on June 15, 1804.

Note: A portion of Article II, section 1 of the Constitution was superseded by the 12th amendment.

Note: The 12th amendment replaced part of Article II, section 1 of the Constitution.

The Electors shall meet in their respective states and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President, and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate; -- the President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted; -- The person having the greatest number of votes for President, shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice. [And if the House of Representatives shall not choose a President whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice-President shall act as President, as in the case of the death or other constitutional disability of the President. --]* The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice-President, shall be the Vice-President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice-President; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States.

The Electors shall meet in their own states and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President. At least one of the two candidates must live in a different state from the Electors voting for them. The Electors shall name their choice for President on one ballot and their choice for Vice-President on a separate ballot. They shall make separate lists of everyone receiving votes for President and everyone receiving votes for Vice-President. Each list shall include the number of votes for each person. The Electors shall sign and certify these lists. They shall seal the lists and send them to the seat of the United States government, addressed to the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall open all the certificates in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives. The votes shall then be counted. The person with the most votes for President shall become President if those votes represent a majority of all Electors appointed. If no person has that majority, the House of Representatives shall immediately choose the President by ballot. The House shall choose from the three candidates with the most votes, or fewer if fewer candidates received votes. But when choosing the President, the House shall vote by state, with each state's representatives having one vote together. A quorum for this purpose requires at least one representative from each of two-thirds of the states. Choosing a President requires a majority of all the states. [If the House becomes responsible for choosing a President but has not chosen one before the following March 4, the Vice-President shall act as President. The same rule applies as when the President dies or has another constitutional inability to serve.]* The person with the most votes for Vice-President shall become Vice-President if those votes represent a majority of all Electors appointed. If no person has a majority, the Senate shall choose the Vice-President from the two candidates with the most votes. A quorum for this purpose requires two-thirds of all Senators. Choosing a Vice-President requires a majority of all Senators. But anyone constitutionally ineligible to serve as President is also ineligible to serve as Vice-President of the United States.

*Superseded by section 3 of the 20th amendment.

*Replaced by section 3 of the 20th amendment.

Passed by Congress January 31, 1865. Ratified December 6, 1865.

Passed by Congress on January 31, 1865. Ratified on December 6, 1865.

Note: A portion of Article IV, section 2, of the Constitution was superseded by the 13th amendment.

Note: Part of Article IV, section 2, of the Constitution was replaced by the 13th amendment.

Section 1.

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.

Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude may exist, except as punishment for a crime. This exception applies only when the person has been legally convicted. The prohibition applies within the United States and anywhere under United States jurisdiction.

Section 2.

Section 2.

Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

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

Passed by Congress June 13, 1866. Ratified July 9, 1868.

Passed by Congress on June 13, 1866. Ratified on July 9, 1868.

Note: Article I, section 2, of the Constitution was modified by section 2 of the 14th amendment.

Note: Article I, section 2, of the Constitution was changed by section 2 of the 14th amendment.

Section 1.

Section 1.

All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

All people born or naturalized in the United States and subject to its jurisdiction are citizens of the United States. They are also citizens of the State where they live. No State may make or enforce any law that limits the privileges or immunities of United States citizens. Nor may any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law. Nor may any State deny any person within its jurisdiction equal protection under the laws.

Section 2.

Section 2.

Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote at any election for the choice of electors for President and Vice-President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, the Executive and Judicial officers of a State, or the members of the Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the male inhabitants of such State, being twenty-one years of age,* and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in rebellion, or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such State.

Representatives shall be allocated among the States according to each State’s population. The count shall include everyone in each State except Indians not taxed. But a State’s basis for representation shall be reduced if the State denies or restricts certain male inhabitants’ voting rights. These inhabitants must be at least twenty-one years old,* and citizens of the United States. This rule applies to elections for electors for President and Vice-President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, State executive and judicial officers, or members of the State Legislature. The rule does not apply when voting rights are denied or restricted because of participation in rebellion or another crime. The reduction shall be proportional to the number of male citizens whose voting rights are denied or restricted for other reasons, compared with all male citizens at least twenty-one years old in that State.

Section 3.

Section 3.

No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.

No person may serve as a Senator or Representative in Congress if both conditions below apply. The same restriction covers electors of President and Vice-President. It also covers any civil or military office under the United States or any State. First, the person must have previously sworn to support the Constitution of the United States while serving in certain roles. Those roles are a member of Congress, an officer of the United States, or a member of any State legislature. They also include an executive or judicial officer of any State. Second, after taking that oath, the person must have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the United States Constitution. Giving aid or comfort to its enemies also meets the second condition. But Congress may remove this disqualification by a two-thirds vote in each House.

Section 4.

Section 4.

The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void.

The validity of the United States’ public debt authorized by law must not be questioned. This includes debts incurred to pay pensions and bounties for service in suppressing insurrection or rebellion. But neither the United States nor any State may take on or pay debts or obligations incurred to support insurrection or rebellion against the United States. Nor may either pay any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave. All such debts, obligations, and claims must be considered illegal and void.

Section 5.

Section 5.

The Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.

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

*Changed by section 1 of the 26th amendment.

*Changed by section 1 of the 26th amendment.

Passed by Congress February 26, 1869. Ratified February 3, 1870.

Passed by Congress on February 26, 1869. Ratified on February 3, 1870.

Section 1.

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 State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude--

Neither the United States nor any State may deny or limit United States citizens' right to vote because of race, color, or previous enslavement.

Section 2.

Section 2.

The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

Congress has the power to enforce this article by passing appropriate laws.

Passed by Congress July 2, 1909. Ratified February 3, 1913.

Passed by Congress on July 2, 1909. Ratified on February 3, 1913.

Note: Article I, section 9, of the Constitution was modified by amendment 16.

Note: Article I, section 9, of the Constitution was changed by Amendment 16.

The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.

Congress has the power to impose and collect taxes on income from any source. Congress need not divide these taxes among the States in proportion to their populations. Nor must Congress base these taxes on any census or population count.

Passed by Congress May 13, 1912. Ratified April 8, 1913.

Passed by Congress on May 13, 1912. Ratified on April 8, 1913.

Note: Article I, section 3, of the Constitution was modified by the 17th amendment.

Note: Article I, section 3, of the Constitution was changed by the 17th amendment.

The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures.

The Senate of the United States must consist of two Senators from each State. The people of each State must elect their Senators for six-year terms. Each Senator has one vote. Voters in each State must meet the qualifications for voting for the larger chamber of the State legislature.

When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.

When a State has vacancies in the Senate, the State’s executive authority must issue orders for elections to fill them. However, the State’s legislature may authorize the executive authority to make temporary appointments. These appointments last until the people fill the vacancies through elections held as the legislature directs.

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.

This amendment must not be interpreted to affect the election or term of any Senator chosen before the amendment becomes part of the Constitution.

Passed by Congress December 18, 1917. Ratified January 16, 1919. Repealed by amendment 21.

Passed by Congress on December 18, 1917. Ratified on January 16, 1919. Repealed by Amendment 21.

Section 1.

Section 1.

After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.

Starting one year after this article is ratified, the following activities involving alcohol for drinking are prohibited. Making, selling, or transporting such alcohol is prohibited within the United States and all territory under its jurisdiction. Importing such alcohol into these areas or exporting it from these areas is also prohibited.

Section 2.

Section 2.

The Congress and the several States shall have concurrent power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

Congress and the States shall both have the power to enforce this article through appropriate laws.

Section 3.

Section 3.

This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.

This article will have no effect unless the State legislatures ratify it as a constitutional amendment, as the Constitution provides. Ratification must occur within seven years after Congress submits the article to the States.

Passed by Congress June 4, 1919. Ratified August 18, 1920.

Passed by Congress on June 4, 1919. Ratified on August 18, 1920.

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.

Neither the United States nor any State may deny or limit United States citizens’ voting rights because of sex.

Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

Congress has the power to enforce this article by passing appropriate laws.

Passed by Congress March 2, 1932. Ratified January 23, 1933.

Passed by Congress on March 2, 1932. Ratified on January 23, 1933.

Note: Article I, section 4, of the Constitution was modified by section 2 of this amendment. In addition, a portion of the 12th amendment was superseded by section 3.

Note: Section 2 of this amendment changed Article I, section 4, of the Constitution. In addition, section 3 replaced part of the 12th amendment.

Section 1.

Section 1.

The terms of the President and Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3d day of January, of the years in which such terms would have ended if this article had not been ratified; and the terms of their successors shall then begin.

The terms of the President and Vice President will end at noon on January 20. The terms of Senators and Representatives will end at noon on January 3. These terms will end in the years they would have ended if this article had not been ratified. Their successors’ terms will begin when those terms end.

Section 2.

Section 2.

The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall begin at noon on the 3d day of January, unless they shall by law appoint a different day.

Congress must meet at least once every year. The meeting must begin at noon on January 3, unless Congress sets a different day by law.

Section 3.

Section 3.

If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of the President, the President elect shall have died, the Vice President elect shall become President. If a President shall not have been chosen before the time fixed for the beginning of his term, or if the President elect shall have failed to qualify, then the Vice President elect shall act as President until a President shall have qualified; and the Congress may by law provide for the case wherein neither a President elect nor a Vice President elect shall have qualified, declaring who shall then act as President, or the manner in which one who is to act shall be selected, and such person shall act accordingly until a President or Vice President shall have qualified.

If the President elect has died by the scheduled start of the President’s term, the Vice President elect becomes President. If no President has been chosen by then, or if the President elect has not qualified, the Vice President elect acts as President. The Vice President elect serves in that role until a President qualifies. Congress may also provide by law for cases where neither the President elect nor the Vice President elect has qualified. The law may name who will act as President or explain how that person will be selected. The person named or selected under that law will act as President until a President or Vice President qualifies.

Section 4.

Section 4.

The Congress may by law provide for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the House of Representatives may choose a President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them, and for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the Senate may choose a Vice President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them.

Congress may pass laws addressing the death of any candidate the House of Representatives may choose as President. Such laws may apply whenever the responsibility for choosing a President falls to the House of Representatives. Congress may also pass laws addressing the death of any candidate the Senate may choose as Vice President. Such laws may apply whenever the responsibility for choosing a Vice President falls to the Senate.

Section 5.

Section 5.

Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect on the 15th day of October following the ratification of this article.

Sections 1 and 2 will take effect on the first October 15 after this article is ratified.

Section 6.

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 States within seven years from the date of its submission.

This article will have no effect unless the legislatures of three-fourths of the States ratify it as an amendment to the Constitution. Ratification must occur within seven years of the date the article is submitted.

Passed by Congress February 20, 1933. Ratified December 5, 1933.

Passed by Congress on February 20, 1933. Ratified on December 5, 1933.

Section 1.

Section 1.

The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.

The Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States is repealed.

Section 2.

Section 2.

The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.

Transporting or importing alcoholic drinks into any State, Territory, or possession of the United States for delivery or use there is prohibited if doing so violates its laws.

Section 3.

Section 3.

This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by conventions in the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.

This article will have no effect unless conventions in the States ratify it as a constitutional amendment, as the Constitution provides. Ratification must occur within seven years after Congress submits the article to the States.

Passed by Congress March 21, 1947. Ratified February 27, 1951.

Passed by Congress on March 21, 1947. Ratified on February 27, 1951.

Section 1.

Section 1.

No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once. But this Article shall not apply to any person holding the office of President when this Article was proposed by the Congress, and shall not prevent any person who may be holding the office of President, or acting as President, during the term within which this Article becomes operative from holding the office of President or acting as President during the remainder of such term.

No person may be elected President more than twice. Anyone who has served or acted as President for more than two years of another person’s elected term may be elected President only once. But this Article does not apply to anyone who was President when Congress proposed this Article. Nor does this Article prevent anyone serving or acting as President during the term when this Article takes effect from completing that term as President or acting President.

Section 2.

Section 2.

This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission to the States by the Congress.

This article will have no effect unless the legislatures of three-fourths of the States ratify it as a constitutional amendment. Ratification must occur within seven years after Congress submits the article to the States.

Passed by Congress June 16, 1960. Ratified March 29, 1961.

Passed by Congress on June 16, 1960. Ratified on March 29, 1961.

Section 1.

Section 1.

The District constituting the seat of Government of the United States shall appoint in such manner as the Congress may direct:

The District serving as the seat of the United States Government must appoint, in whatever manner Congress may direct:

A number of electors of President and Vice President equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives in Congress to which the District would be entitled if it were a State, but in no event more than the least populous State; they shall be in addition to those appointed by the States, but they shall be considered, for the purposes of the election of President and Vice President, to be electors appointed by a State; and they shall meet in the District and perform such duties as provided by the twelfth article of amendment.

The District shall have as many electors for President and Vice President as Senators and Representatives in Congress if it were a State. But the District shall have no more electors than the least populous State. These electors shall be in addition to those appointed by the States. But for electing the President and Vice President, the District’s electors shall count as electors appointed by a State. The District’s electors shall meet in the District and carry out the duties required by the Twelfth Amendment.

Section 2.

Section 2.

The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

Congress has the power to enforce this article by passing appropriate laws.

Passed by Congress August 27, 1962. Ratified January 23, 1964.

Passed by Congress on August 27, 1962. Ratified on January 23, 1964.

Section 1.

Section 1.

The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax.

Citizens of the United States have the right to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President. This right also covers elections for presidential or vice-presidential electors, or for Senator or Representative in Congress. Neither the United States nor any State may deny or limit this voting right because a citizen has not paid a poll tax or any other tax.

Section 2.

Section 2.

The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

Congress has the power to enforce this article by passing appropriate laws.

Passed by Congress July 6, 1965. Ratified February 10, 1967.

Passed by Congress on July 6, 1965. Ratified on February 10, 1967.

Note: Article II, section 1, of the Constitution was affected by the 25th amendment.

Note: The 25th amendment affected Article II, section 1, of the Constitution.

Section 1.

Section 1.

In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President.

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

Section 2.

Section 2.

Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress.

Whenever the office of the Vice President is vacant, the President must nominate a new Vice President. The nominee takes office once confirmed by a majority vote in each House of Congress.

Section 3.

Section 3.

Whenever the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting President.

Whenever the President declares in writing that he cannot carry out the powers and duties of his office, he must send the declaration to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The Vice President shall then carry out those powers and duties as Acting President. This arrangement shall continue until the President sends both officials a written declaration that he is no longer unable to serve.

Section 4.

Section 4.

Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.

If the Vice President and a majority of the executive departments’ principal officers declare in writing that the President cannot carry out the powers and duties of the office, the Vice President must immediately assume those powers and duties as Acting President. The majority may instead come from another body that Congress establishes by law. The declaration must be sent to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that no inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office unless the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive department or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit within four days to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. Thereupon Congress shall decide the issue, assembling within forty-eight hours for that purpose if not in session. If the Congress, within twenty-one days after receipt of the latter written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session, within twenty-one days after Congress is required to assemble, determines by two-thirds vote of both Houses that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall continue to discharge the same as Acting President; otherwise, the President shall resume the powers and duties of his office.

Afterward, the President may submit a written declaration that he is no longer unable to perform his duties. He must send the declaration to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. He will then resume his office’s powers and duties unless a written declaration challenging his ability is submitted within four days. The Vice President must submit that declaration together with a majority of the principal officers of the executive department. Alternatively, the Vice President may submit it with a majority of another body that Congress establishes by law. The declaration must state that the President cannot carry out his office’s powers and duties. It must go to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Congress must then decide the issue. If Congress is not in session, it must assemble within forty-eight hours for that purpose. Congress has twenty-one days after receiving the declaration challenging the President’s ability to reach a decision. If Congress is not in session, the twenty-one days begin when Congress is required to assemble. Within that period, both Houses must determine, each by a two-thirds vote, that the President cannot perform his office’s powers and duties. If both Houses make that determination, the Vice President will continue performing those powers and duties as Acting President. Otherwise, the President will resume his office’s powers and duties.

Passed by Congress March 23, 1971. Ratified July 1, 1971.

Congress passed it on March 23, 1971. Ratified on July 1, 1971.

Note: Amendment 14, section 2, of the Constitution was modified by section 1 of the 26th amendment.

Note: Section 2 of the Constitution’s 14th Amendment was changed by section 1 of the 26th Amendment.

Section 1.

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 State on account of age.

United States citizens who are eighteen or older have the right to vote. Neither the United States nor any State may deny or limit that right because of age.

Section 2.

Section 2.

The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

Congress has the power to enforce this article by passing appropriate laws.

Originally proposed Sept. 25, 1789. Ratified May 7, 1992.

Originally proposed September 25, 1789. Ratified May 7, 1992.

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

No law changing the pay of Senators and Representatives can take effect until an election of Representatives has taken place.