Article 1

Section 1. All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

Section 1. All lawmaking powers granted by this Constitution shall belong to the Congress of the United States. Congress shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives.

Section 2. The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, and the electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislature.

Section 2. The House of Representatives must consist of members elected every two years by the people of the several States. Voters in each State must meet the same qualifications as voters for the larger chamber of the State legislature.

No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the Age of twenty five Years, and been seven Years a citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen.

A Representative must be at least 25 years old and have been a citizen of the United States for seven years. When elected, a Representative must also live in the State that elects them.

Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons. The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by law Direct. The number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty Thousand, but each State shall have at least one Representative; and until such enumeration shall be made, the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to chuse three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations one, Connecticut five, New York six, New Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten, North Carolina five, South Carolina five, and Georgia three.

Representatives and direct taxes shall be divided among the States in this Union according to their respective population counts. These counts shall include all free people, including those bound to service for a term of years. Indians not taxed shall be excluded, and all other people shall count as three-fifths of a person. The first census shall take place within three years after the first meeting of the Congress of the United States. Afterward, a census shall take place every ten years, in whatever manner Congress directs by law. There shall be no more than one Representative for every thirty thousand people. But each State shall have at least one Representative. Until the first census is taken, New Hampshire shall be entitled to choose 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 vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies.

When a state’s seats in the House of Representatives become vacant, the state’s executive authority must order elections to fill them.

The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.

The House of Representatives must choose its Speaker and other officers. Only the House of Representatives has the power to impeach.

Section 3. The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the legislature thereof, for six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote.

Section 3. The Senate of the United States shall have two Senators from each State. Each State’s legislature shall choose its Senators for six-year terms. Each Senator shall have one vote.

Immediately after they shall be assembled in Consequence of the first Election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three Classes. The Seats of the Senators of the first Class shall be vacated at the expiration of the second Year, of the second Class at the expiration of the fourth Year, and of the third Class at the expiration of the sixth Year, so that one third may be chosen every second Year; and if vacancies happen by Resignation, or otherwise, during the recess of the Legislature of any State, the Executive thereof may make temporary Appointments until the next meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such Vacancies.

Immediately after the Senators gather following the first election, they shall be divided into three groups as equally as possible. The seats of Senators in the first group shall become vacant at the end of the second year. Seats in the second group shall become vacant at the end of the fourth year. Seats in the third group shall become vacant at the end of the sixth year. This arrangement allows one third of the Senators to be chosen every two years. If vacancies occur through resignation or otherwise while a State's Legislature is not in session, the State's Executive may make temporary appointments. These appointments shall last until the Legislature next meets. The Legislature shall then fill those vacancies.

No person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen.

A Senator must be at least thirty years old and have been a United States citizen for nine years. When elected, a Senator must live in the State they are chosen to represent.

The Vice-President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.

The Vice-President of the United States will serve as President of the Senate. But the Vice-President may vote only if the Senate’s votes are equally divided.

The Senate shall choose their other Officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the Absence of the Vice-President, or when he shall exercise the Office of President of the United States.

The Senate must choose its other officers. It must also choose a President pro tempore when the Vice-President is absent or serving as President of the United States.

The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present.

Only the Senate has the power to try all impeachments. When conducting impeachment trials, senators must be under oath or affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice must preside. No person may be convicted unless two-thirds of the members present agree.

Judgment in cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.

Penalties in impeachment cases are limited to removal from office and disqualification from holding any United States office of honor, trust, or profit. But the convicted person can still be indicted, tried, judged, and punished according to law.

Section 4. The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of chusing Senators.

Section 4. Each State's Legislature shall set the times, places, and procedures for elections for Senators and Representatives. But Congress may make or change these rules by law at any time, except for the places where Senators are chosen.

The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year, and such Meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by law appoint a different Day.

Congress must meet at least once every year. The meeting must be on the first Monday in December, unless Congress sets a different day by law.

Section 5. Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members, and a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller Number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner, and under such Penalties as each House may provide.

Section 5. Each House shall judge the elections, official election results, and qualifications of its own members. A majority of each House shall form a quorum to conduct business. But a smaller number may adjourn from day to day. That smaller number may also be authorized to require absent members to attend, using procedures and penalties each House establishes.

Each house may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behavior, and, with the Concurrence of two-thirds, expel a Member.

Each house may set its own rules for conducting business and punish its members for disorderly behavior. With two-thirds agreeing, each house may also expel a member.

Each house shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays of the Members of either House on any question shall, at the Desire of one fifth of those Present, be entered on the Journal.

Each house must keep a journal of its proceedings and publish it from time to time. However, each house may withhold any parts it believes require secrecy. In either house, each member’s yes or no vote on any question must be recorded in the journal if requested by one fifth of the members present.

Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, without the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other Place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.

While Congress is in session, neither House may adjourn for more than three days without the other House’s consent. Neither House may adjourn to a different location from where both Houses are meeting without the other House’s consent.

Section 6. The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.

Section 6. Senators and Representatives shall be paid for their services, with the amount set by law. Payment shall come from the Treasury of the United States. In all cases except treason, felony, and breach of the peace, Senators and Representatives shall be protected from arrest. This protection applies while attending sessions of their respective Houses and while traveling to and from those sessions. Senators and Representatives shall not be questioned anywhere else about any speech or debate in either House.

No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the authority of the United States, which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been increased during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office.

During their elected term, no Senator or Representative may be appointed to a federal civil office created during that term. The same ban applies to any federal civil office whose pay or benefits increased during that term. And no person holding a federal office may serve in either House while remaining in that office.

Section 7. All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.

Section 7. All bills to raise revenue must start in the House of Representatives. But the Senate may propose or agree to amendments, just as with other bills.

Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States; If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such Reconsideration two thirds of that house shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become a law. But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be determined by Yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each House respectively. If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which case it shall not be a Law.

Every bill passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate must be presented to the President of the United States before becoming law. If the President approves the bill, he must sign it. If not, he must return the bill, along with his objections, to the House where the bill originated. That House must record the objections in full in its journal and reconsider the bill. If two thirds of that House agree to pass the bill after reconsideration, it must go to the other House. The bill must be sent along with the President’s objections. The other House must also reconsider the bill. If two thirds of that House approve the bill, it becomes law. But in all such cases, both Houses must vote by yeses and noes. Each House must record in its journal the names of those voting for and against the bill. If the President does not return a bill within ten days after receiving it, excluding Sundays, the bill becomes law. It becomes law just as if the President had signed it, unless Congress adjourns and thereby prevents its return. In that case, the bill does not become law.

Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of Adjournment) shall be presented to the President of the United States; and before the Same shall take Effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the Rules and Limitations prescribed in the Case of a Bill.

Every order, resolution, or vote requiring agreement from both the Senate and House of Representatives must go to the President of the United States. The only exception is a vote on adjournment. Before any such measure takes effect, the President must approve it. If he rejects the measure, two-thirds of both the Senate and House of Representatives must pass it again. The same rules and limits apply as for a bill.

Section 8. The Congress shall have Power to lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;

Section 8. Congress has the power to impose and collect taxes, duties, import taxes, and excise taxes. These revenues are to pay debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States. But all duties, import taxes, and excise taxes must be uniform throughout the United States.

To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;

To borrow money using the credit of the United States.

To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;

To regulate trade with foreign nations, among the states, and with the Indian Tribes.

To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;

To establish uniform rules for becoming a citizen and uniform bankruptcy laws throughout the United States.

To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;

To mint money, set the value of that money and foreign coins, and establish standards for weights and measures.

To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;

To set penalties for counterfeiting United States securities and coins in circulation.

To establish Post Offices and Post Roads;

To establish post offices and roads for carrying mail.

To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;

To advance knowledge and practical arts by giving authors and inventors exclusive rights for limited periods. These rights cover each author’s writings and each inventor’s discoveries.

To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;

To establish courts below the Supreme Court.

To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offenses against the Law of Nations;

To define and punish piracy and felonies committed on the high seas, and violations of international law.

To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;

To declare war and grant letters of marque and reprisal (official permission for private parties to seize foreign property). To set rules for captures on land and water.

To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer term than two Years;

To raise and support armies, but no money may be allocated for that purpose for more than two years.

To provide and maintain a Navy;

To establish and maintain a Navy.

To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;

To make rules for governing and regulating the land and naval forces.

To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;

To provide for calling up the militia to enforce the Union’s laws, put down rebellions, and repel invasions.

To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;

To arrange for organizing, arming, and disciplining the militia, and for governing any part serving the United States. However, each State retains the power to appoint officers and train its militia according to the discipline Congress prescribes.

To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, Dockyards, and other needful Buildings;—And

To make all laws, with exclusive authority, for a district that may become the seat of the United States Government. The district must be no more than ten miles on each side. It may become the seat of government if individual States transfer the land and Congress accepts it. To exercise the same authority over all places purchased with the consent of the Legislature of the State containing them. These places must be purchased to build forts, ammunition stores, arsenals, dockyards, and other necessary buildings. And

To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.

To make all laws necessary and proper to carry out the powers listed above. This includes all other powers this Constitution grants to the Government of the United States, its departments, or its officers.

Section 9. The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a Tax or Duty may be imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person.

Section 9. Before 1808, Congress may not prohibit the migration or importation of people whom any currently existing State chooses to admit. But Congress may impose a tax or duty on such importation, not exceeding ten dollars per person.

The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.

The right to a writ of habeas corpus must not be suspended. The only exception is during rebellion or invasion, when public safety may require suspension.

No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.

No law imposing punishment without a trial may be passed. No law retroactively creating or increasing criminal penalties may be passed.

No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or Enumeration herein before directed to be taken.

No per-person tax or other direct tax may be imposed unless proportional to the census or count required earlier.

No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State.

No tax or duty may be imposed on goods exported from any State.

No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce or Revenue to the Ports of one State over those of another: nor shall Vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay Duties in another.

No trade or revenue regulation may favor the ports of one State over those of another. Nor may ships traveling to or from one State be required to enter port, obtain clearance, or pay duties in another.

No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time.

No money may be withdrawn from the Treasury unless authorized by appropriations made by law. And a regular statement and account of all public money received and spent must be published from time to time.

No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States; and no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.

The United States must not grant any title of nobility. No one holding a paid position or position of trust under the United States may accept any gift, payment, office, or title of any kind from any king, prince, or foreign state without Congress's consent.

Section 10. No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title of Nobility.

Section 10. No state may enter into any treaty, alliance, or confederation. No state may grant letters of marque and reprisal, authorizing private parties to attack or seize foreign property. No state may mint money or issue bills of credit (paper money). No state may make anything except gold and silver coins legal tender for paying debts. No state may pass a bill of attainder, imposing punishment without a trial. No state may pass an ex post facto law, retroactively making an act criminal or increasing its punishment. No state may pass a law that weakens the binding force of contracts. No state may grant any title of nobility.

No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing it's inspection Laws: and the net Produce of all Duties and Imposts, laid by any State on Imports or Exports, shall be for the Use of the Treasury of the United States; and all such Laws shall be subject to the Revision and Controul of the Congress.

No State may tax imports or exports without Congress's consent, except as absolutely necessary to enforce the State's inspection laws. The net revenue from all State taxes on imports or exports must go to the Treasury of the United States. All such laws remain subject to review and control by Congress.

No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.

No State may impose a tax based on a ship’s tonnage without Congress’s consent. Without that consent, no State may keep troops or warships in peacetime. Nor may any State make an agreement or compact with another State or a foreign power without Congress’s consent. No State may go to war without Congress’s consent unless actually invaded or facing imminent danger that allows no delay.