Government articles
What is the Sixth Amendment?
The Sixth Amendment to the Constitution guarantees people accused of crimes the right to a speedy, public trial by an impartial jury where the alleged crime occurred. It also guarantees the right to know the charges, confront witnesses, call witnesses in ones defense and have the assistance of a lawyer.
What is the Ninth Amendment?
The Ninth Amendment to the Constitution clarifies that the rights listed in the Constitution are not the only rights people have, and listing some rights does not deny others retained by the people.
What is the Eighth Amendment?
The Eighth Amendment to the Constitution prohibits excessive bail, excessive fines and cruel and unusual punishments.
What is the 12th Amendment?
The 12th Amendment to the Constitution requires presidential electors to cast separate ballots for president and vice president. It also sets the process for the House of Representatives to choose the president and the Senate to choose the vice president when no candidate wins a majority of electoral votes.
What is the 24th Amendment?
The 24th Amendment to the Constitution prohibits the federal government and the states from requiring citizens to pay a poll tax or any other tax to vote in federal elections.
What is the 25th Amendment?
The 25th Amendment to the Constitution establishes that the vice president becomes president if the president is removed, dies or resigns, and sets the process for filling a vice-presidential vacancy. It also creates procedures for the vice president to serve as acting president when the president is unable to carry out the duties of the office.
What is the Fourth Amendment?
The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution protects people and their homes, papers and belongings from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government. It requires that warrants be based on probable cause and specifically describe the place to be searched and the people or items to be seized.
What is the 14th Amendment?
The 14th Amendment to the Constitution grants citizenship to all people born or naturalized in the United States and prohibits states from denying any person due process of law or equal protection of the laws. It also addresses the apportionment of representatives, disqualifies certain officials who engaged in insurrection and addresses public debt.
What is the First Amendment?
The First Amendment to the Constitution prevents Congress from establishing an official religion or restricting the free exercise of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, peaceful assembly or petitioning the government to address grievances.
What is the 11th Amendment?
The 11th Amendment to the Constitution prevents federal courts from hearing lawsuits brought against a state by citizens of another state or by citizens or subjects of a foreign country.
What is the 20th Amendment?
The 20th Amendment to the Constitution moves the start of presidential and vice-presidential terms to January 20 and congressional terms to January 3. It also establishes what happens if a president-elect dies or has not been chosen before the term begins.
What is the 15th Amendment?
The 15th Amendment to the Constitution prohibits the federal government and the states from denying citizens the right to vote based on race, color or previous condition of servitude. It gives Congress the power to enforce this through legislation.
What is the 13th Amendment?
The 13th Amendment to the Constitution abolishes slavery and involuntary servitude in the United States, except as punishment for a crime after conviction. It gives Congress the power to enforce this ban through legislation.
What is the 22nd Amendment?
The 22nd Amendment to the Constitution limits presidents to two elected terms in office. A person who has served more than two years of another presidents term can be elected only once.
What is the 23rd Amendment?
The 23rd Amendment to the Constitution gives residents of the District of Columbia the right to vote in presidential elections by granting the district electors in the Electoral College, but no more than the number given to the least populous state.
What is the 10th Amendment?
The 10th Amendment to the Constitution reserves powers not given to the federal government and not prohibited to the states for the states or the people.
What is the 19th Amendment?
The 19th Amendment to the Constitution prohibits the federal government and the states from denying citizens the right to vote based on sex.
What is the 27th Amendment?
The 27th Amendment to the Constitution prevents any law changing the pay of senators and representatives from taking effect until after the next election of the House of Representatives.
What is the Third Amendment?
The Third Amendment to the Constitution prohibits the government from housing soldiers in private homes during peacetime without the owners consent, and in wartime only as prescribed by law.
What is the Second Amendment?
The Second Amendment to the Constitution protects the right of the people to keep and bear arms, naming a well-regulated militia as necessary to the security of a free state.
What is the 16th Amendment?
The 16th Amendment to the Constitution gives Congress the power to collect income taxes without dividing the amount among the states based on population.
What is the Fifth Amendment?
The Fifth Amendment to the Constitution guarantees that no one can be tried for a serious federal crime without a grand jury indictment, tried twice for the same offense, forced to testify against themselves or deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law. It also requires the government to pay fair compensation when it takes private property for public use.
What is the Seventh Amendment?
The Seventh Amendment to the Constitution preserves the right to a jury trial in federal civil cases where the amount in dispute exceeds $20. It also limits courts from re-examining facts decided by a jury except under established legal rules.
What is the 21st Amendment?
The 21st Amendment to the Constitution repeals the 18th Amendment, ending the nationwide prohibition of alcohol. It also prohibits transporting alcohol into any state where it violates that states laws.
What is the 18th Amendment?
The 18th Amendment to the Constitution prohibited the manufacture, sale and transportation of intoxicating liquors in the United States. It was later repealed by the 21st Amendment.
What is the 17th Amendment?
The 17th Amendment to the Constitution establishes the direct election of United States senators by the voters of each state, rather than by state legislatures. It also allows governors to make temporary appointments to fill Senate vacancies until an election is held, if the state legislature permits.
What is the 26th Amendment?
The 26th Amendment to the Constitution prohibits the federal government and the states from denying citizens who are 18 years of age or older the right to vote based on age.
What is a constitutional amendment?
A constitutional amendment alters the Constitution of the United States by striking or inserting new language. The Constitution establishes the structure, powers and responsibilities of the federal government.
What does the Department of the Treasury (TREAS) do?
The Department of the Treasury (Department of Treasury, TREAS) is a cabinet-level executive branch agency responsible for overseeing economic conditions and ensuring the financial security of the United States. The department's functions include advising the president on economic matters, managing federal finances, collecting taxes through the Internal Revenue Service, producing currency, and supervising national banks. It was established in 1789 and is the second-oldest department in the federal government.
What does the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) do?
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is an independent executive branch agency tasked with enforcing workplace discrimination laws. Its functions include investigating charges of discrimination against employers, providing guidance and oversight on equal employment practices, and conducting outreach and education programs. Most companies with 15 or more employees are under EEOC jurisdiction. The agency was established by the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
What does the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) do?
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is an independent executive branch agency responsible for managing the civil service of the federal government. Its functions include coordinating the recruitment of new government employees, managing health insurance and retirement benefits programs, and providing resources for job seekers. Established in 1979, it serves as the chief human resources agency and personnel policy manager for the federal government.
What does the Department of the Interior (DOI) do?
The Department of the Interior (Interior, DOI) is an executive branch agency responsible for managing federal lands, natural resources, and cultural heritage. Its functions include overseeing national parks and other protected lands, regulating natural resource extraction, upholding tribal relations and trust responsibilities, and preserving the environment. It was established in 1849.
What does the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) do?
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is an independent executive branch responsible for regulating the use of radioactive materials for civilian purposes and ensuring public and environmental health and safety. It oversees the operation and waste management of nuclear power plants and other nuclear material uses (including medical and academic). It was established in 1974.
What does the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) do?
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is a cabinet-level executive branch agency responsible for providing healthcare services, benefits programs, and access to national cemeteries for the nation's veterans and their dependents. It was established as the Veterans Administration in 1930 and elevated to cabinet status in 1989.
What does the State Department (DOS) do?
The Department of State (State Department, DOS) is an executive branch agency responsible for conducting US foreign policy and diplomatic relations. Its functions include negotiating treaties, representing the US in international organizations, issuing passports and visas, coordinating refugee and humanitarian assistance, and overseeing foreign aid and embassy operations. It was established in 1789.
What does the Department of Agriculture (USDA) do?
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is cabinet-level executive branch agency responsible for developing and executing federal policies on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition, and related issues. Its functions include supporting farmers and ranchers, ensuring food safety, promoting agricultural trade, conserving natural resources and the environment, and addressing hunger both domestically and internationally. It was established in 1862.
What does the Department of Labor (DOL) do?
The Department of Labor (DOL) is an executive branch agency responsible for overseeing the American labor force and working conditions. Its functions include enforcing wage and hour standards and union law, regulating workplace safety, administering unemployment benefits and workers’ compensation, collecting labor market data, and promoting workforce development. It was established in 1913.
What does the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) do?
The Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) is an independent federal agency responsible for safeguarding the integrity of the civil service system and protecting the rights of federal employees. It hears appeals on personnel actions such as removals, suspensions, and demotions, ensuring those decisions are based on merit and free from prohibited practices. It also conducts studies to evaluate the effectiveness of federal merit systems. It was established in 1979.
What does the Federal Election Commission (FEC) do?
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) is an independent federal agency responsible for enforcing campaign finance laws in US federal elections. Its work includes overseeing the public disclosure of campaign finance data, enforcing contribution limits, and managing public funding for presidential campaigns. It was established in 1975.
What does the Commission on Civil Rights (USCCR) do?
The US Commission on Civil Rights (USCCR) is an independent, bipartisan federal agency responsible for informing national civil rights policy and monitoring enforcement of federal civil rights laws. It investigates voting rights complaints and studies issues related to discrimination and unequal treatment based on race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, or national origin. It also collects and shares information on civil rights issues to support public understanding and policy development. It was established in 1957.