Amendments articles
Scroll or search to learn about the 27 constitutional amendments, including when they were ratified, their full text, and the history of how and when the Supreme Court has cited them.
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 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 It was later repealed by the 21st Amendment.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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.