Overview
This document is the original transcription of the United States Constitution, outlining the structure, powers, and limitations of the federal government and the fundamental framework for law and governance in the United States.
Preamble and Purpose
- Establishes government to form a more perfect union, ensure justice, tranquility, defense, welfare, and liberty for current and future generations.
Legislative Branch (Article I)
- Vests legislative powers in Congress, composed of a Senate and House of Representatives.
- House members serve two-year terms with age and citizenship requirements.
- Representation and direct taxes apportioned among states based on population, with a decennial census.
- Senate comprised of two senators per state, serving six-year staggered terms with specific qualifications.
- House can impeach; Senate conducts impeachment trials, requiring a two-thirds majority for conviction.
- States set election rules for Congress; Congress may alter these regulations.
- Each House manages its rules, judges member qualifications, maintains records, and can discipline members.
- Members receive compensation and have limited immunity related to their duties.
- Revenue bills originate in the House; President must sign or veto all legislation.
- Congress has enumerated powers, including taxation, defense, commerce, currency, patents, judiciary, military, and governance of federal properties.
- Restrictions placed on Congress and states regarding taxes, titles of nobility, state treaties, and military powers.
Executive Branch (Article II)
- Executive power vested in a President, elected to four-year terms with a Vice President.
- Electoral process established, with qualifications for presidential candidates set.
- President is commander in chief, grants pardons (except for impeachment), negotiates treaties, and appoints officials with Senate approval.
- President can fill temporary vacancies and must inform Congress on the State of the Union.
- President and civil officers may be removed for treason, bribery, or high crimes via impeachment and conviction.
Judicial Branch (Article III)
- Judicial power vested in the Supreme Court and any lower courts Congress creates.
- Judges serve during good behavior and receive undiminished compensation.
- Jurisdiction extends to constitutional, legal, and treaty cases, as well as disputes between states and citizens.
- Supreme Court holds original and appellate jurisdiction in specified cases.
- Trials by jury required for all crimes except impeachment; treason strictly defined with evidentiary requirements.
States and Federal Relations (Article IV)
- States must recognize each other's public acts, records, and proceedings.
- Citizens entitled to interstate privileges and immunities.
- Procedures for extradition and return of persons held to service.
- Congress admits new states and manages federal property; states guaranteed a republican government and defense.
Amendments (Article V)
- Amendments proposed by two-thirds of both Houses or state legislatures; ratified by three-fourths of states.
- Certain clauses protected from amendment before 1808; equal Senate representation protected.
Federal Supremacy and Oaths (Article VI)
- Pre-existing debts honored.
- Constitution, federal laws, and treaties are the supreme law of the land.
- Officials must swear to support the Constitution; no religious test required for office.
Ratification (Article VII)
- Ratification by nine states establishes the Constitution among those states.
Signatories and Attestation
- Constitution signed in convention on September 17, 1787, with attestations and signatures of delegates.