[Constitution for the United States of America]

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
Article. I.
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. 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.
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.
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.
When vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies.
The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.
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.
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.
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.
The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.
The Senate shall chuse 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, 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.
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.
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.
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 encreased 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.
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.
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 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.
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;
To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;
To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several 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 coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;
To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;
To establish Post Offices and post Roads;
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 constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;
To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations;
To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning 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 provide and maintain a Navy;
To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of 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 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 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, dock-Yards, and other needful 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.
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.
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.
No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall 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 Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles 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 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 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.
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.
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 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.
Article. II.
Section. 1. The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the same Term, be elected, as follows:
Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector.
The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by Ballot for two Persons, of whom one at least shall not be an Inhabitant of the same State with themselves. And they shall make a List of all the Persons voted for, and of the Number of Votes for each; which List 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 shall be the President, if such Number be a Majority of the whole Number of Electors appointed; and if there be more than one who have such Majority, and have an equal Number of Votes, then the House of Representatives shall immediately chuse by Ballot one of them for President; and if no Person have a Majority, then from the five highest on the List the said House shall in like Manner chuse the President. But in chusing 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. In every Case, after the Choice of the President, the Person having the greatest Number of Votes of the Electors shall be the Vice President. But if there should remain two or more who have equal Votes, the Senate shall chuse from them by Ballot the Vice President.
The Congress may determine the Time of chusing the Electors, and the Day on which they shall give their Votes; which Day shall be the same throughout the United States.
No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.
In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office, the Same shall devolve on the Vice President, and the Congress may by Law provide for the Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the President and Vice President, declaring what Officer shall then act as President, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.
The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a Compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the Period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within that Period any other Emolument from the United States, or any of them.
Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation: — "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office 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 shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.
He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.
The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session.
Section. 3. He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the Officers of the United States.
Section. 4. The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.
Article. III.
Section. 1. The judicial Power of the United States shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services a Compensation, which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office.
Section. 2. The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and Equity, arising under this Constitution, the Laws of the United States, and Treaties made, or which shall be made, under their Authority; — to all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls; — to all Cases of admiralty and maritime Jurisdiction; — to Controversies to which the United States shall be a Party; — to Controversies 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 the Citizens thereof, and foreign States, Citizens or Subjects.
In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State shall be Party, the supreme Court shall have original Jurisdiction. In all the other Cases before mentioned, the supreme Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions, and under such Regulations as the Congress shall make.
The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment, shall be by Jury; and such Trial shall be held in the State where the said Crimes shall have been committed; but when not committed within any State, the Trial shall be at such Place or Places as the Congress may by Law have directed.
Section. 3. Treason against the United States shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.
The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted.
Article. IV.
Section. 1. Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.
Section. 2. The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.
A Person charged in any State with Treason, Felony, or other Crime, who shall flee from Justice, and be found in another State, shall on Demand of the executive Authority of the State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the State having Jurisdiction of the Crime.
No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, under the Laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in Consequence of any Law or Regulation therein, be discharged from such Service or Labour, but shall be delivered up on Claim of the Party to whom such Service or Labour may be due.
Section. 3. New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new State shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by the Junction of two or more States, or Parts of States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress.
The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or of any particular State.
Section. 4. The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened), against domestic Violence.
Article. V.
The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.
Article. VI.
All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this Constitution, as under the Confederation.
This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.
The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.
Article. VII.
The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same.
The Word, "the," being interlined between the seventh and eighth Lines of the first Page, The Word "Thirty" being partly written on an Erazure in the fifteenth Line of the first Page, The Words "is tried" being interlined between the thirty second and thirty third Lines of the first Page and the Word "the" being interlined between the forty third and forty fourth Lines of the second Page.
Attest William Jackson
Secretary
done in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the States present the Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty seven and of the Independence of the United States of America the Twelfth In witness whereof We have hereunto subscribed our Names,
Go. WASHINGTON — Presidt.
and deputy from Virginia
New Hampshire {
JOHN LANGDON
NICHOLAS GILMAN
Massachusetts {
NATHANIEL GORHAM
RUFUS KING
Connecticut {
WM. SAML. JOHNSON
ROGER SHERMAN
New York . . . .
ALEXANDER HAMILTON
New Jersey {
WIL: LIVINGSTON
DAVID BREARLEY.
WM. PATERSON.
JONA: DAYTON
Pennsylvania {
B FRANKLIN
THOMAS MIFFLIN
ROBT MORRIS
GEO. CLYMER
THOS. FITZ SIMONS
JARED INGERSOLL
JAMES WILSON
GOUV MORRIS
Delaware {
GEO: READ
GUNNING BEDFORD jun
JOHN DICKINSON
RICHARD BASSETT
JACO: BROOM
Maryland {
JAMES MCHENRY
DAN OF ST THOS. JENIFER
DANL CARROLL
Virginia {
JOHN BLAIR
JAMES MADISON jr
North Carolina {
WM. BLOUNT
RICHD. DOBBS SPAIGHT
HU WILLIAMSON
South Carolina {
J. RUTLEDGE
CHARLES COTESWORTH PINCKNEY
CHARLES PINCKNEY
PIERCE BUTLER
Georgia {
WILLIAM FEW
ABR BALDWIN
In Convention Monday, September 17th, 1787.
Present
The States of
New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, MR. Hamilton from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.
Resolved,
That the preceeding Constitution be laid before the United States in Congress assembled, and that it is the Opinion of this Convention, that it should afterwards be submitted to a Convention of Delegates, chosen in each State by the People thereof, under the Recommendation of its Legislature, for their Assent and Ratification; and that each Convention assenting to, and ratifying the Same, should give Notice thereof to the United States in Congress assembled. Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Convention, that as soon as the Conventions of nine States shall have ratified this Constitution, the United States in Congress assembled should fix a Day on which Electors should be appointed by the States which have ratified the same, and a Day on which the Electors should assemble to vote for the President, and the Time and Place for commencing Proceedings under this Constitution. That after such Publication the Electors should be appointed, and the Senators and Representatives elected: That the Electors should meet on the Day fixed for the Election of the President, and should transmit their Votes certified, signed, sealed and directed, as the Constitution requires, to the Secretary of the United States in Congress assembled, that the Senators and Representatives should convene at the Time and Place assigned; that the Senators should appoint a President of the Senate, for the sole purpose of receiving, opening and counting the Votes for President; and, that after he shall be chosen, the Congress, together with the President, should, without Delay, proceed to execute this Constitution.
By the Unanimous Order of the Convention
Go. WASHINGTON — Presidt.
W. JACKSON Secretary.
________________________________________

The Constitution of the United States
美利堅(jiān)合眾國(guó)憲法
 
當(dāng)根據(jù)聯(lián)邦條例組成的第一個(gè)國(guó)家政府證明不能將原來的十三州結(jié)合成一個(gè)統(tǒng)一的國(guó)家時(shí)，美國(guó)人民探用了現(xiàn)在的合眾國(guó)憲法。合眾國(guó)憲法是世界上最古老 的國(guó)家憲法之一，一七八九年三月四日正式成為美國(guó)的基本大法。數(shù)年之后，增加了首十條憲法修正案，亦即所謂權(quán)利法案，在其后的一個(gè)半世紀(jì)中又增加了另外十 多條修正案。
序 言
我們，美利堅(jiān)合眾國(guó)的人民，為了組織一個(gè)更完善的聯(lián)邦，樹立正義，保障國(guó)內(nèi)的安寧，建立共同的國(guó)防，增進(jìn)全民福利和確保我們自己及我們后代能安享自由帶來的幸福，乃為美利堅(jiān)合眾國(guó)制定和確立這一部憲法。
 
第一條
第一款：本憲法所規(guī)定的立法權(quán)，全屬合眾國(guó)的國(guó)會(huì)，國(guó)會(huì)由一個(gè)參議院和一個(gè)眾議院組成。

第二款：眾議院應(yīng)由各州人民每?jī)赡赀x舉一次之議員組成， 各州選舉人應(yīng)具有該州州議會(huì)中人數(shù)最多之一院的選舉人所需之資格。

凡年齡未滿二十五歲，或取得合眾國(guó)公民資格未滿七年，或于某州當(dāng)選而并非該州居民者，均不得任眾議員。
眾議員人數(shù)及直接稅稅額，應(yīng)按聯(lián)邦所轄各州的人口數(shù)目比例分配，此項(xiàng)人口數(shù)目的計(jì)算法，應(yīng)在全體自由 人民－－包括訂有契約的短期仆役，但不包括未被課稅的印第安人－－數(shù)目之外，再加上所有其它人口之五分之三。實(shí)際人口調(diào)查，應(yīng)于合眾國(guó)國(guó)會(huì)第一次會(huì)議三年 內(nèi)舉行，并于其后每十年舉行一次，其調(diào)查方法另以法律規(guī)定之。眾議員的數(shù)目，不得超過每三萬人口有眾議員一人，但每州至少應(yīng)有眾議員一人；在舉行人口調(diào)查 以前，各州得按照下列數(shù)目選舉眾議員：新罕不什爾三人、麻薩諸塞八人、羅得島及普羅維登斯墾殖區(qū)一人、康涅狄格五人、紐約州六人、新澤西四人、賓夕法尼亞 八人、特拉華一人、馬里蘭六人、弗吉尼亞十人、北卡羅來納五人、南卡羅來納五人、喬治亞三人。

任何一州的眾議員有缺額時(shí)，該州的行政長(zhǎng)官應(yīng)頒選舉令，選出眾議員以補(bǔ)充缺額。

眾議院應(yīng)選舉該院議長(zhǎng)及其它官員；只有眾議院具有提出彈劾案的權(quán)力。

第三款： 合眾國(guó)的參議院由每州的州議會(huì)選舉兩名參議員組成之，參議員的任期為六年，每名參議員有一票表決權(quán)。

參議員第一次選舉后舉行會(huì)議之時(shí)，應(yīng)當(dāng)立即盡量均等地分成三組。第一組參議員的任期，到第二年年終時(shí)屆滿，第二組到第四年年終時(shí)屆滿，第三組到第六年年終 時(shí)屆滿，俾使每?jī)赡暧腥�分之一的參議員改選；如果在某州州議會(huì)休會(huì)期間，有參議員因辭職或其它原因出缺，該州的行政長(zhǎng)官得任命臨時(shí)參議員，等到州議會(huì)下次 集合時(shí)，再予選舉補(bǔ)缺。

凡年齡未滿三十歲，或取得合眾國(guó)公民資格未滿九年，或于某州當(dāng)選而并非該州居民者，均不得任參議員。
合眾國(guó)副總統(tǒng)應(yīng)為參議院議長(zhǎng)，除非在投票票數(shù)相等時(shí)，議長(zhǎng)無投票權(quán)。

參議院應(yīng)選舉該院的其它官員，在副總統(tǒng)缺席或執(zhí)行合眾國(guó)總統(tǒng)職務(wù)時(shí)，還應(yīng)選舉臨時(shí)議長(zhǎng)。

所有彈劾案，只有參議院有權(quán)審理。在開庭審理彈劾案時(shí)，參議員們均應(yīng)宣誓或誓愿。如受審者為合眾國(guó)總統(tǒng)，則應(yīng)由最高法院首席大法官擔(dān)任主席；在未得出席的參議員的三分之二的同意時(shí)，任何人不得被判有罪。

彈劾案的判決，不得超過免職及取消其擔(dān)任合眾國(guó)政府任何有榮譽(yù)、有責(zé)任或有俸給的職位之資格；但被判處者仍須服從另?yè)?jù)法律所作之控訴、審訊、判決及懲罰。

第四款： 各州州議會(huì)應(yīng)規(guī)定本州島島參議員及眾議員之選舉時(shí)間、地點(diǎn)及程序；但國(guó)會(huì)得隨時(shí)以法律制定或變更此種規(guī)定，惟有選舉議員的地點(diǎn)不在此例。

國(guó)會(huì)應(yīng)至少每年集合一次，開會(huì)日期應(yīng)為十二月的第一個(gè)星期一，除非他們通過法律來指定另一個(gè)日期。

第五款： 參眾兩院應(yīng)各自審查本院的選舉、選舉結(jié)果報(bào)告和本院議員的資格，每院議員過半數(shù)即構(gòu)成可以議事的法定人數(shù)；不足法定人數(shù)時(shí)，可以一天推一天地延期開會(huì)，并有權(quán)依照各該議院所規(guī)定的程序和罰則，強(qiáng)迫缺席的議員出席。

參眾兩院得各自規(guī)定本院的議事規(guī)則，處罰本院擾亂秩序的議員，并且得以三分之二的同意，開除本院的議員。

參眾兩院應(yīng)各自保存一份議事記錄，并經(jīng)常公布，惟各該院認(rèn)為應(yīng)保守秘密之部分除外；兩院議員對(duì)于每一問題之贊成或反對(duì)，如有五分之一出席議員請(qǐng)求，則應(yīng)記載于議事記錄內(nèi)。

在國(guó)會(huì)開會(huì)期間，任一議院未得別院同意，不得休會(huì)三日以上，亦不得遷往非兩院開會(huì)的其它地點(diǎn)。

第六款： 參議員與眾議員得因其服務(wù)而獲報(bào)酬，報(bào)酬的多寡由法律定之，并由合眾國(guó)國(guó)庫(kù)支付。兩院議員除犯叛國(guó)罪、重罪以及擾亂治安罪外，在出席各該院會(huì)議及往返各該院途中，有不受逮捕之特權(quán)；兩院議員在議院內(nèi)所發(fā)表之演說及辯論，在其它場(chǎng)合不受質(zhì)詢。

參議或眾議員不得在當(dāng)選任期內(nèi)擔(dān)任合眾國(guó)政府任何新添設(shè)的職位，或在其任期內(nèi)支取因新職位而增添的俸給；在合眾國(guó)政府供職的人，不得在其任職期間擔(dān)任國(guó)會(huì)議員。

第七款 ：有關(guān)征稅的所有法案應(yīng)在眾議院中提出；但參議院得以處理其它法案的方式，以修正案提出建議或表示同意。

經(jīng)眾議院和參議院通過的法案，在正式成為法律之前，須呈送合眾國(guó)總統(tǒng)；總統(tǒng)如批準(zhǔn)，便須簽署，如不批準(zhǔn)，即應(yīng)連同他的異議把它退還給原來提出該案的議院， 該議院應(yīng)將異議詳細(xì)記入議事記錄，然后進(jìn)行復(fù)議。倘若在復(fù)議之后，該議院議員的三分之二仍然同意通過該法案，該院即應(yīng)將該法案連同異議書送交另一院，由其 同樣予以復(fù)議，若此另一院亦以三分之二的多數(shù)通過，該法案即成為法律。但遇有這樣的情形時(shí)，兩院的表決均應(yīng)以贊同或反對(duì)來定，而贊同和反對(duì)該法案的議員的 姓名，均應(yīng)由兩院分別記載于各該院的議事記錄之內(nèi)。如總統(tǒng)接到法案后十日之內(nèi)(星期日除外) ，不將之退還，該法案即等于曾由總統(tǒng)簽署一樣，成為法律，惟有當(dāng)國(guó)會(huì)因而無法將該法案退還時(shí)，該法案才不得成為法律。

任何命令、決議或表決(有關(guān)休會(huì)問題者除外) ，凡須由參議院及眾議院予以同意者，均應(yīng)呈送合眾國(guó)總統(tǒng)；經(jīng)其批準(zhǔn)之后，方始生效，如總統(tǒng)不予批準(zhǔn)，則參眾兩院可依照對(duì)于通過法案所規(guī)定的各種組別和限制，各以三分之二的多數(shù)，再行通過。

第八款： 國(guó)會(huì)有權(quán)規(guī)定并征收稅金、捐稅、關(guān)稅和其它賦稅，用以償付國(guó)債并為合眾國(guó)的共同防御和全民福利提供經(jīng)費(fèi)； 但是各種捐稅、關(guān)稅和其它賦稅，在合眾國(guó)內(nèi)應(yīng)劃一征收；
以合眾國(guó)的信用舉債；
管理與外國(guó)的、州與州間的，以及對(duì)印第安部落的貿(mào)易；
制定在合眾內(nèi)一致適用的歸化條例，和有關(guān)破產(chǎn)的一致適用的法律；
鑄造貨幣，調(diào)節(jié)其價(jià)值，并厘定外幣價(jià)值，以及制定度量衡的標(biāo)準(zhǔn)；
制定對(duì)偽造合眾國(guó)證券和貨幣的懲罰條例；
設(shè)立郵政局及建造驛路；
為促進(jìn)科學(xué)和實(shí)用技藝的進(jìn)步，對(duì)作家和發(fā)明家的著作和發(fā)明，在一定期限內(nèi)給予專利權(quán)的保障；
設(shè)置最高法院以下的各級(jí)法院；
界定并懲罰海盜罪、在公海所犯的重罪和違背國(guó)際公法的罪行；
宣戰(zhàn)，對(duì)民用船只頒發(fā)捕押敵船及采取報(bào)復(fù)行動(dòng)的特許證，制定在陸地和海面虜獲戰(zhàn)利品的規(guī)則；
募集和維持陸軍，但每次撥充該項(xiàng)費(fèi)用的款項(xiàng)，其有效期不得超過兩年；
配備和保持海軍；
制定有關(guān)管理和控制陸海軍隊(duì)的各種條例；
制定召集民兵的條例，以便執(zhí)行聯(lián)邦法律，鎮(zhèn)壓叛亂和擊退侵略；
規(guī)定民兵的組織、裝備和訓(xùn)練，以及民兵為合眾國(guó)服務(wù)時(shí)的管理辨法，但各州保留其軍官任命權(quán)，和依照國(guó)會(huì)規(guī)定的條例訓(xùn)練其民團(tuán)的權(quán)力；
對(duì)于由某州讓與而由國(guó)會(huì)承受，用以充當(dāng)合眾國(guó)政府所在地的地區(qū)(不逾十哩見方)，握有對(duì)其一切事務(wù)的全部立法權(quán)；對(duì) 于經(jīng)州議會(huì)同意，向州政府購(gòu)得，用以建筑要塞、彈藥庫(kù)、兵工 廠、船塢和其它必要建筑物的地方，也握有同樣的權(quán)力；－－并且
為了行使上述各項(xiàng)權(quán)力，以及行使本憲法賦予合眾國(guó)政府或其各部門或其官員的種種權(quán)力，制定一切必要的和適當(dāng)?shù)姆�律�?/FONT>