Congressional Record, Volume 157 Issue 2 (Thursday, January 6, 2011)

[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 2 (Thursday, January 6, 2011)]
[House]
[Pages H53-H62]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

READING OF THE CONSTITUTION

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 5(a) of House Resolution
5, the Chair now recognizes the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Goodlatte)
for the reading of the Constitution.

Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair would remind all Members that they
should not traffic the well while Members are under recognition.

Parliamentary Inquiries

Mr. INSLEE. Mr. Speaker, I have a parliamentary inquiry.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman may inquire.
Mr. INSLEE. Mr. Speaker, we appreciate the leadership shown to bring
this document for reading today; but I do want to inquire of the Chair
and perhaps the gentleman who is the author of this effort today, Mr.
Goodlatte. The language, as I understand it, that we will be reading
today does not include some of the original language of the
Constitution of the United States. On multiple occasions amendments
have purported to change some of the intent of the original document.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Does the gentleman have a parliamentary
inquiry?
Mr. INSLEE. I do have. My parliamentary inquiry is, will we be
reading the entire original document without deletion, or will we be
reading a document with deletions that may or may not have been
accomplished by respective amendments?
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 5(a) of House Resolution
5, the Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia to read the
Constitution of the United States.
Mr. INSLEE. And may I inquire of the gentleman, if I may inquire
before we start this process, if he would explain to us so that we will
all be on the same page.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman is not recognized for that
purpose.
Mr. INSLEE. I ask unanimous consent to ask the gentleman to yield for
a question.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Virginia is not
recognized for debate. This is not a debate.
Mr. INSLEE. I will wait till Mr. Goodlatte is recognized, and I will
ask him to yield so we can have clarity of this.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Virginia is recognized
for the reading of the Constitution, not for debate.
Mr. INSLEE. If I may ask unanimous consent to ask Mr. Goodlatte to
yield for just a question so we all understand the reading.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Does the gentleman from Washington have a
parliamentary inquiry?
Mr. INSLEE. Yes. My parliamentary inquiry is, may I ask the gentleman
to yield for 30 seconds to ask a question of the derivation of this
language that we will all be reading in good faith and in good spirits
today?
The SPEAKER pro tempore. That is not in order at this point.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia.
Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, as a part of the opening remarks, I will
explain and I hope answer the question of the gentleman from
Washington.
This morning, for the first time in the history of the House of
Representatives, we will read aloud the full text of the Constitution
of the United States. We hope this will inspire many more Americans to
read the Constitution.
The text we are reading today reflects the changes to the document
made by the 27 amendments to it. Those portions superseded by amendment
will not be read.
In order to ensure fairness for all those interested in
participating, we have asked Members to line up on a first-come first-
served basis. I will recognize Members based on this guidance.
In order to ensure relative parity and fairness, I may recognize
Members out of order to ensure bipartisanship and balance. Two Members,
one from each party, will be recognized out of order. Each Member will
approach the podium and read the passage laid out for him or her.
The Speaker and two members of the leadership of each party will
begin the reading, and then I will recognize Members in order. I thank
the Members of both parties in advance for their participation in this
historic event.

{time} 1100

Parliamentary Inquiries

Mr. HONDA. Mr. Chairman, a point of parliamentary procedure.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman may inquire.
Mr. HONDA. Now that the process has started, would the gentleman from

[[Page H54]]

Washington's original question about parliamentary procedure be in
order at this time?
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In light of the modicum of debate by the
gentleman from Virginia, that would be appropriate.
Mr. INSLEE. If I may make a unanimous consent to ask Mr. Goodlatte a
question so that we all do understand the nature of the language that
we will be reading today, I think it would be very helpful to us on a
bipartisan basis.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the gentleman from
Virginia may yield for that purpose.
Mr. INSLEE. I thank the Speaker.
Mr. Goodlatte, could you explain to us the decision-making process
about which language to read today?
And the reason I ask is, through our American history, we have had a
series of amendments that were intended to change the original
document, but the amendments do not make specific deletions to specific
language in the original document, and it has been up to us to
ascertain the intent of the amendments to figure out which language is
operative or not. But the language has not specifically been deleted by
the amendment, so it could be subject to some interpretation of which
language really has been removed and which has not.
So I think it would be helpful to the Members if you explain to us
how the determinations of what to read have been made or not made so
that we will all be on the same page as to congressional intent.
Mr. GOODLATTE. I thank the gentleman for his question.
We have consulted with the Congressional Research Service of the
Library of Congress. The Library of Congress actually maintains a copy
of the Constitution which includes those sections that have been
superseded by amendment. So we are not reading those sections that have
been superseded by amendment. And we have arrived at that determination
based upon our consultation with the Congressional Research Service.
Mr. INSLEE. And would the gentleman accept the premise that since we
have not been able to review the exact language we will be reading
today--I will wait for a moment, Mr. Speaker. We do want to have a good
bipartisan success here today, and this is a special moment for us all.
So I guess the question is: I take it that since we have not had
discussion about which language to read or not, that this is not
intended to create any statement of congressional intent about the
language but, rather, to do our best to have a moment of comity to read
the language as best as we can ascertain it. Is that correct?
Mr. GOODLATTE. I think the gentleman has stated that very well.
Mr. INSLEE. I thank you. And I very much appreciate your leadership
in bringing this to our attention today.
Mr. GOODLATTE. I thank the gentleman.
Mr. JACKSON of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, if I may ask unanimous consent
to address Mr. Goodlatte.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Does the gentleman from Virginia yield for
that purpose?
Mr. GOODLATTE. I yield to the gentleman.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the gentleman is
recognized.
There was no objection.
Mr. JACKSON of Illinois. I thank the gentleman for his kindness.
Let me first begin by saying that I think every Member of this body
is approaching the reading of their Constitution with the most sacred
possible spirit in what is clearly an unprecedented moment in the
history of the Congress of the United States. And I don't take it
lightly when my colleague or when others, before we begin the reading
of our sacred document, are raising questions about what we would be
specifically reading, what specifically will be redacted based upon
amendments or based upon the recommendations of Libraries of Congress.
But I also want to be very clear, Mr. Speaker and Mr. Goodlatte, I
recognize that this is a request, that in reading those redacted--and
this is very emotional for me. This is very emotional, I know, for a
number of Members, given the struggle--and I am not trying to give a
shot at the process. Mr. Goodlatte knows me and he knows the spirit in
which I'm approaching this--given the struggle of African Americans,
given the struggle of women, given the struggles of others to create a
more perfect document, while not perfect, a more perfect document, to
hear that those elements of the Constitution that have been redacted by
amendment are no less serious, no less part of our ongoing struggle to
improve the country and to make the country better, and our sense in
our struggle and whom we are at the Congress of the United States at
this point in American history and our desire to continue to improve
the Constitution, many of us don't want that to be lost upon the
reading of our sacred document.
So with that said, I thank the gentleman for yielding. And I just
wanted to indicate that this is done with sincerity. It is not done to
take a shot at the idea of reading the Constitution. But certainly,
when we were informed, for example, that the three-fifths clause would
not be mentioned and that other elements of the Constitution which
justify why some of us fight for programs in the Congress will not be
written in the redacted version, it is of consequence to whom we are.
Mr. GOODLATTE. I thank the gentleman for his comments, and I take
them very much to heart as has our leadership.
In fact, in recognition of the gentleman's concern, I mentioned in my
comments that only two Members would be recognized out of order to read
sections. One is the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Smith), the chairman of
the Judiciary Committee, who will read the first article of section 3
dealing with the judiciary. The other is the gentleman from Georgia
(Mr. Lewis), who many regard as the foremost advocate for civil rights
in the Congress, he will read the 13th Amendment. In that regard, we
hope to address the concern that you raised.
Mr. GOHMERT of Texas. Mr. Speaker, if I may ask unanimous consent to
address the gentleman from Virginia.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Will the gentleman yield for that purpose?
Mr. GOODLATTE. I yield to the gentleman from Texas.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the gentleman is
recognized.
There was no objection.
Mr. GOHMERT. Out of the same deference and respect for this document
that we revere, I think it is important that we use the language of the
Constitution itself. They are not deletions; they are amendments. And,
in that respect, we go by the ``amended'' document, not by the
``deleted'' document. There are too many that have fought and died for
those amendments to call them deletions.
Mr. GOODLATTE. It is an amended document. We are going to read the
document as amended.
I thank the members of both parties in advance for their
participation in this historic event, and I thank the leadership and
Members for providing for this reading in the rules of the House.
It is now my distinct honor to yield to the Speaker of the House to
begin the reading.
Mr. BOEHNER. ``We the People, of the United States, in order to form
a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility,
provide for the common defense, 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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the minority leader, the gentlewoman
from California (Ms. Pelosi).
Ms. PELOSI. ``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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the majority leader, the gentleman from
Virginia (Mr. Cantor).
Mr. CANTOR. Article I, 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 25 years and been 7 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.

[[Page H55]]

``The actual enumeration shall be made within 3 years after the first
meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every
subsequent term of 10 years, in such manner as they shall by law
direct.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the minority whip, the gentleman from
Maryland (Mr. Hoyer).
Mr. HOYER. Article I, continuation of section 2: ``The number of
Representatives shall not exceed one for every 30,000, 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 choose
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 choose their Speaker and other
officers, and shall have the sole power of impeachment.''

{time} 1110

Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from California, the
majority whip, Mr. McCarthy.
Mr. McCARTHY of California. Article I, section 3: ``The Senate of the
United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State for 6
years; and each Senator shall have one vote.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr.
Rothman).
Mr. ROTHMAN of New Jersey. ``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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Conaway).
Mr. CONAWAY. ``No person shall be a Senator who shall not have
attained to the age of 30 years and been 9 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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. David
Scott).
Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. ``The Vice President of the United States
shall be President of the Senate, but shall not have no vote, unless
they be 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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr.
Walberg).
Mr. WALBERG. ``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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr.
Critz).
Mr. CRITZ. ``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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe).
Mr. POE of Texas. Section 4: ``The times, places and manner of the
holding of 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
place of choosing Senators.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Weiner).
Mr. WEINER. 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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr.
Womack).
Mr. WOMACK. ``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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentlewoman from Maryland (Ms.
Edwards).
Ms. EDWARDS. ``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 discretion of one-fifth of
those present, be entered on the Journal.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs.
Miller).
Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. ``Neither House during the session of
Congress shall, without the consent of the other, adjourn for more than
3 days nor to any other place than that in which the two Houses shall
be sitting.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson
Lee).
Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. 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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr.
Pitts).
Mr. PITTS. ``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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr.
Pascrell).
Mr. PASCRELL. 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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr.
Wilson).
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. ``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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Al
Green).
Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. ``If after such consideration 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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr.
Gowdy).
Mr. GOWDY. ``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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs.
Davis).
Mrs. DAVIS of California. ``If any such bill shall not be returned by
the President within 10 days, Sundays excepted, after it shall have
been presented to him, the same shall be a law

[[Page H56]]

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.''

{time} 1120

Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr.
LoBiondo).
Mr. LoBIONDO. ``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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr.
Langevin).
Mr. LANGEVIN. 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 defense and general welfare of the United
States; but all duties, imposts and excises shall be uniform throughout
the United States.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr.
Lance).
Mr. LANCE. ``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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr.
Kildee).
Mr. KILDEE. ``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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr.
Hensarling).
Mr. HENSARLING. ``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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Washington (Mr.
Inslee).
Mr. INSLEE. ``To constitute tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court;
to define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the high seas,
and offenses against the law of nations.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr.
Duncan).
Mr. DUNCAN of South Carolina. ``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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr.
Holt).
Mr. HOLT. ``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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Canseco).
Mr. CANSECO. ``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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr.
Scott).
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. ``To exercise exclusive legislation in all
cases whatsoever, over such district (not exceeding 10 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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. West).
Mr. WEST. ``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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr.
Keating).
Mr. KEATING. 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 1808, but a
tax or duty may be imposed on such importation, not exceeding 10
dollars for each person.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs.
Black).
Mrs. BLACK. ``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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr.
Perlmutter).
Mr. PERLMUTTER. ``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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms.
McMorris Rodgers).
Ms. McMORRIS RODGERS. ``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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from California (Mr.
Honda).
Mr. HONDA. ``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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr.
Gardner).
Mr. GARDNER. ``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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentlewoman from California (Ms.
Loretta Sanchez).
Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. ``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.''

{time} 1130

Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Pompeo).
Mr. POMPEO. ``No State shall, without the consent of Congress, lay
any imposts or duties on imports or exports, except what may be
absolutely necessary for executing its inspections 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 control of the
Congress.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Rangel).
Mr. RANGEL. ``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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms.
Hayworth).
Ms. HAYWORTH. 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 a term of 4 years and together with

[[Page H57]]

the Vice-President chosen for the same term, be elected as follows:''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr.
Payne).
Mr. PAYNE. ``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 United States shall be
appointed an elector.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Young).
Mr. YOUNG of Indiana. ``The Congress may determine the time of
choosing the electors and the day on which they shall give their votes,
which days shall be the same throughout the United States.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr.
Pallone).
Mr. PALLONE. ``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.''

Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair would remind all persons in the
gallery that they are here as guests of the House and that any
manifestation of approval or disapproval of the proceedings is in
violation of the rules of the House.
The Chair notes a disturbance in the gallery in contravention of the
law and rules of the House. The Sergeant at Arms will remove those
persons responsible for the disturbance and restore order in the
gallery.
The gentleman from New Jersey.
Mr. PALLONE. ``Neither shall any person be eligible to that office
who shall not have attained to the age of 35 years and been 14 years a
resident within the United States.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr.
Griffith).
Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia. ``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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentlewoman from California (Ms.
Richardson).
Ms. RICHARDSON. ``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 the President of
the United States and will to the best of my ability preserve, protect,
and defend the Constitution of the United States.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Latta).
Mr. LATTA. 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 to 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 the respective offices, and he shall have the power to grant
reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in
cases of impeachment.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr.
Connolly).
Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. ``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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr.
Cassidy).
Mr. CASSIDY. ``But the Congress may by law vest the appointment of
such inferior officers as they think proper, and the President alone,
in the courts of law, or in the heads of departments.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentlewoman from Colorado (Ms.
DeGette).
Ms. DeGETTE. ``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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Johnson).
Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio. Section 3: ``He shall from time to time give 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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich).
Mr. KUCINICH. ``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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot).
Mr. CHABOT. ``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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Smith),
the chairman of the Judiciary Committee.
Mr. SMITH of Texas. ``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 behavior and shall, at stated times, receive for their services a
compensation, which shall not be diminished during their continuance in
office.''

{time} 1140

Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr.
Bishop).
Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. 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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr.
Farenthold).
Mr. FARENTHOLD. ``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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr.
Donnelly).
Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. ``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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr.
Pearce).
Mr. PEARCE. ``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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr.
Altmire).
Mr. ALTMIRE. 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 an open court.''

[[Page H58]]

Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Turner).
Mr. TURNER. ``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 attained.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Delaware (Mr.
Carney).
Mr. CARNEY. 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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr.
Harris).
Mr. HARRIS. Section 2: ``The citizens of each State shall be entitled
to all privileges and immunities of citizens in the several States.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from California (Mr.
Schiff).
Mr. SCHIFF. ``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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Gibbs).
Mr. GIBBS. 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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Nadler).
Mr. NADLER. ``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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. Section 4: ``The United States shall guarantee to
every State in this Union a Republic 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 . . .''
I now yield to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Fortenberry).
Mr. FORTENBERRY. ``. . . 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
1808 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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentlewoman from California (Ms.
Matsui).
Ms. MATSUI. 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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr.
Garrett).
Mr. GARRETT. ``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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr.
Blumenauer).
Mr. BLUMENAUER. ``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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr.
Lamborn).
Mr. LAMBORN. 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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentlewoman from Hawaii (Ms.
Hirono).
Ms. HIRONO. ``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 15th line of the first page; the words `is tried'
being interlined between the 32nd and 33rd lines of the first page; and
the word `the' being interlined between the 43rd and the 44th lines of
the second page.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr.
Tipton).
Mr. TIPTON. ``Done in convention by unanimous consent of the States
present the 17th day of September in the year of Our Lord 1787 and of
the independence of the United States of America the 12th in witness
whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names.''

{time} 1150

Mr. GOODLATTE. I now recognize the gentleman from Missouri (Mr.
Carnahan).
Mr. CARNAHAN. Signers of the Constitution. George Washington,
President and Deputy from Virginia.
Delaware: George Read, Gunning Bedford, Jr., John Dickinson, Richard
Bassett, Jacob Broom.
Maryland: James McHenry, Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, Daniel
Carroll.
Virginia: John Blair, James Madison, Jr.
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from California (Mr.
McClintock).
Mr. McCLINTOCK. From the State of North Carolina: William Blount,
Richard Dobbs Spaight, Hugh Williamson.
From South Carolina: John Rutledge, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney,
Charles Pinckney, Pierce Butler.
From Georgia: William Few, Abraham Baldwin.
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Washington (Mr.
McDermott).
Mr. McDERMOTT. New Hampshire: John Langdon, Nicholas Gilman.
Massachusetts: Nathaniel Gorham, Rufus King.
Connecticut: William Samuel Johnson, Roger Sherman.
New York: Alexander Hamilton.
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Yoder).
Mr. YODER. New Jersey: William Livingston, David Brearley, William
Paterson, Jonathan Dayton.
From Pennsylvania: Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Mifflin, Robert Morris,
George Clymer, Thomas FitzSimons, Jared Ingersoll, James Wilson, and
Gouverneur Morris.
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr.
Levin).
Mr. LEVIN. The Preamble to the Bill of Rights: ``Congress of the
United States, begun and held at the City of New York on Wednesday, the
4th of March 1789.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentlewoman from Alabama (Mrs.
Roby).
Mrs. ROBY. ``The conventions of a number of the States, having at the
time of their adopting the Constitution expressed a desire in order to
prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further
declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added, and as extending
the ground of public confidence in the government will best ensure the
beneficent ends of its institution.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Ross).
Mr. ROSS of Arkansas. ``Resolved by the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
two-thirds of both Houses concurring that the following articles be
proposed to the legislatures of the several States, as

[[Page H59]]

amendments to the Constitution of the United States . . .''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr.
Bonner).
Mr. BONNER. ``. . . all or any of which articles, when ratified by
three-fourths of the said legislatures, to be valid to all intents and
purposes as part of the said Constitution.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentlewoman from Hawaii (Ms.
Hanabusa).
Ms. HANABUSA. ``Articles in addition to, and Amendment of the
Constitution of the United States of America, proposed by Congress, and
ratified by the legislatures of the several States, pursuant to the 5th
Article of the original Constitution.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentlewoman from Arizona (Ms.
Giffords).
Ms. GIFFORDS. The First Amendment: ``Congress shall make no law
respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free
exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press;
or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the
government for a redress of grievances.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from New Hampshire (Mr.
Guinta).
Mr. GUINTA. The Second Amendment: ``A well-regulated militia, being
necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to
keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to gentleman from California (Mr.
Sherman).
Mr. SHERMAN. The Third Amendment: ``No soldier shall, in time of
peace, be quartered in any house without the consent of the owner, nor
in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gohmert).
Mr. GOHMERT. Amendment Four: ``The right of the people to be secure
in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable
searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall
issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and
particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or
things to be seized.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr.
Lynch).
Mr. LYNCH. The Fifth Amendment: ``No person shall be held to answer
for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentiment or
indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or
naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war
or public danger.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr.
Franks).
Mr. FRANKS of Arizona. ``Nor shall any person be subject for the same
offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be
compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself; nor be
deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor
shall private property be taken for public use, without just
compensation.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentlewoman from California (Ms.
Speier).

{time} 1200

Ms. SPEIER. The Sixth Amendment: ``In all criminal prosecutions, the
accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an
impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have
been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained
by law.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr.
Westmoreland).
Mr. WESTMORELAND. ``And to be informed of the nature and cause of the
accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have
compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have
the assistance of counsel for his defense.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr.
Lipinski).
Mr. LIPINSKI. Amendment Seven: ``In suits at common law, where the
value in controversy shall exceed $20, the right of trial by jury shall
be preserved, no fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise reexamined in
any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the
common law.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Flores).
Mr. FLORES. Amendment Eight: ``Excessive bail shall not be required,
nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments
inflicted.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr.
Walz).
Mr. WALZ of Minnesota. The Ninth Amendment: ``The enumeration in the
Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or
disparage others retained by the people.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. Amendment 10: ``The powers not delegated to the United
States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are
reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.''
I now yield to the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Cicilline).
Mr. CICILLINE. ``The judicial power of the United States shall not be
construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or
prosecuted against one of the United States by citizens of another
State, or by citizens or subjects of any foreign state.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr.
Graves).
Mr. GRAVES of Georgia. Amendment 12: ``The electors shall meet in
their respective States, and vote by ballot for President and Vice
President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the
same State with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person
voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as
Vice President.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Engel).
Mr. ENGEL. ``And they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted
for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice President, and
the number of votes for each, which lists 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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr.
Stutzman).
Mr. STUTZMAN. ``The President of the Senate shall, in 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 for President, shall be the President, if such number be a
majority of the whole number of electors appointed; and if no person
have such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers
not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr.
Price).
Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. ``The House of Representatives shall
choose immediately, by ballot, President. But in choosing 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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Florida (Mr.
Southerland).
Mr. SOUTHERLAND. ``The person having the greatest number of votes as
Vice President, shall be the Vice President, if such number be a
majority of the whole number of electors appointed, and if no person
have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list, the
Senate shall choose the Vice President.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentlewoman from California (Ms.
Chu).
Ms. CHU. ``A quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of
the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall
be necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible to
the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice President of
the United States.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lewis).
Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Amendment 13, section 1: ``Neither slavery nor
involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the
party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United
States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.''
Section 2: ``Congress shall have power to enforce this article by
appropriate legislation.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr.
Rigell).

[[Page H60]]

Mr. RIGELL. Amendment 14: ``All persons born or naturalized in the
United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of
the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall
make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or
immunities of citizens of the United States.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr.
Watt).
Mr. WATT. ``Nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty,
or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within
its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr.
Wittman).
Mr. WITTMAN. Section 2: ``Representatives shall be apportioned among
the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the
whole number of persons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed. But
when the right to vote at any election for the choice of electors for
President and Vice President of the United States, Representatives in
Congress, the executive and judicial officers of a State, or the
members of the Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the male
inhabitants of such State, being 21 years of age, and citizens of the
United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in
rebellion, or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be
reduced in the proportion which the number of such male citizens shall
bear to the whole number of male citizens 21 years of age in such
State.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms.
Clarke).

{time} 1210

Ms. CLARKE of New York. Section 3: ``No person shall be a Senator or
Representative in Congress or elector of President or Vice President,
or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or
under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a Member of
Congress, or as an officer of the United States or as a Member of any
State legislature.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentlewoman from North Carolina
(Mrs. Ellmers).
Mrs. ELLMERS. ``Or as an executive or judicial officer of any State,
to support to the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged
in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort
to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of
each House remove such disability.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Israel).
Mr. ISRAEL. Section 4: ``The validity of the public debt of the
United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment
of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or
rebellion shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor
any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of
the insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim
for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts,
obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I yield to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Gosar).
Mr. GOSAR. Section 5: ``The Congress shall have the power to enforce,
by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.''
Amendment 15, Section 1: ``The right of citizens of the United States
to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any
State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Bishop).
Mr. BISHOP of New York. Section 2: ``The Congress shall have the
power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.''
Amendment 16: ``The Congress shall have power to lay and collect
taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment
among the several States and without regard to any census or
enumeration.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Olson).
Mr. OLSON. Amendment 17: ``The Senate of the United States shall be
composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people
thereof, for 6 years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The
electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for
electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Washington (Mr.
Larsen).
Mr. LARSEN of Washington. ``When vacancies happen in the
representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of
such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies:
provided that the legislature of any State may empower the executive
thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the
vacancies by election as the legislative may direct.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentlewoman from New York, (Ms.
Buerkle).
Ms. BUERKLE. Amendment 19, passed by Congress June 4, 1919, ratified
August 18, 1920: ``The right of citizens of the United States to vote
shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on
account of sex.
``Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate
legislation.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms.
Schwartz).
Ms. SCHWARTZ. Amendment 20: ``The terms of the President and the Vice
President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms
of Senators and Representatives at noon on the third day of January of
the years in which such terms would have ended if this article had not
been ratified; and the terms of their successors shall then begin.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr.
Scalise).
Mr. SCALISE. Section 2: ``The Congress shall assemble at least once
in every year, and such meeting shall began at noon on the third day of
January, unless they shall by law appoint a different day.''
Section 3: ``If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of
the President, the President elect shall have died, the Vice President
elect shall become President.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gene
Green).
Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. ``If a President shall not have been chosen
before the time fixed for the beginning of his term, or if the
President elect shall have failed to qualify, then the Vice President
elect shall act as President until a President shall have qualified;
and the Congress may by law provide for the case wherein neither a
President-elect nor a Vice President-elect shall have qualified,
declaring who shall then act as President or the manner in which one
who is to act shall be selected, and such person shall act accordingly
until a President or Vice President shall have been qualified.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Hurt).
Mr. HURT. Section 4: ``The Congress may by law provide for the case
of the death of any of the persons from whom the House of
Representatives may choose a President whenever the right of choice
shall have devolved upon them and for the case of the death of any of
the persons from whom the Senate may choose a Vice President whenever
the right of choice shall have devolved upon them.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Serrano).
Mr. SERRANO. Section 5: ``Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect on the
15th day of October following the ratification of this article.''
Section 6: ``This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have
been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures
of three-fourths of the several States within 7 years from the date of
its submission.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr.
Platts).
Mr. PLATTS. Amendment 21, passed by Congress February 20, 1933,
ratified December 5, 1933:
Section 1: ``The 18th article of amendment to the Constitution of the
United States is hereby repealed.''
Section 2: ``The transportation or importation into any State,
Territory or

[[Page H61]]

possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of
intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby
prohibited.''

{time} 1220

Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr.
Schrader).
Mr. SCHRADER. Section 3: ``This article shall be inoperative unless
it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by
conventions in the several States, as provided in the Constitution,
within 7 years from the date of submission hereof to the States by the
Congress.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr.
Meehan).
Mr. MEEHAN. Amendment 22, passed by Congress on March 21, 1947.
Section 1: ``No person shall be elected to the office of the
President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of
President, or acted as President, for more than 2 years of a term to
which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the
office of President more than once.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr.
Nunnelee).
Mr. NUNNELEE. ``But this article shall not apply to any person
holding the office of President when this article was proposed by the
Congress, and shall not prevent any person who may be holding the
office of President, or acting as President, during the term within
which this article becomes operative from holding the office of
President or acting as President during the remainder of such term.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from California (Mr.
George Miller).
Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. ``But this article shall not apply
to any person holding the office of President when this article was
proposed by the Congress, and shall not prevent any person who may be
holding the office of President, or acting as President, during the
term within which this article becomes operative from holding the
office of President or acting as President during the remainder of such
term.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr.
Fleming).
Mr. FLEMING. Section 2: ``This article shall be inoperative unless it
shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the
legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within 7 years from
the date of its submission to the States by the Congress.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from California (Mr.
Garamendi).
Mr. GARAMENDI. Amendment 23, passed by Congress June 16, 1960;
ratified March 29, 1961.
Section 1: ``The District constituting the seat of Government of the
United States shall appoint in such manner as Congress may direct:
``A number of electors of President and Vice President equal to the
whole number of Senators and Representatives in Congress to which the
District would be entitled if it were a State . . .''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from California (Mr.
Royce).
Mr. ROYCE. ``. . . but in no event more than the least populous
State; they shall be in addition to those appointed by the States, but
they shall be considered, for the purposes of the election of President
and Vice President, to be electors appointed by a State; and they shall
meet in the District and perform such duties as provided by the 12th
article of amendment.''
Section 2: ``The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by
appropriate legislation.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr.
Courtney).
Mr. COURTNEY. Amendment 24, passed by Congress August 27, 1962;
ratified January 23, 1964.
Section 1: ``The right of citizens of the United States to vote in
any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for
electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or
Representative in the Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the
United States or any State by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or
other tax.''
Section 2: ``The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by
appropriate legislation.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr.
Dent).
Mr. DENT. Amendment 25, passed by Congress July 6, 1965.
Section 1: ``In case of the removal of the President from office or
of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become the
President.''
Section 2: ``Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice
President, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take
office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of
Congress.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr.
Lankford).
Mr. LANKFORD. ``Whenever the President transmits to the President pro
tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives
his written declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and
duties of his office, and until he transmits to them a written
declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged
by the Vice President as Acting President.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr.
Murphy).
Mr. MURPHY of Pennsylvania. Section 4: ``Whenever the Vice President
and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive
departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide,
transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of
the House of Representatives their written declaration that the
President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office,
the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of
the office as Acting President.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentlewoman from Missouri (Mrs.
Hartzler).
Mrs. HARTZLER. ``Thereafter, when the President transmits to the
President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of
Representatives his written declaration that no inability exists, he
shall resume the powers and duties of his office unless the Vice
President and a majority of either the principal officers of the
executive department or of such other body as Congress may by law
provide . . . ''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr.
Fitzpatrick).
Mr. FITZPATRICK. ``. . . transmit within 4 days to the President pro
tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives
their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the
powers and duties of his office. Thereupon, Congress shall decide the
issue, assembling within 48 hours for that purpose if not in session.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Gibson).
Mr. GIBSON. ``If the Congress, within 21 days after receipt of the
latter written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session, within
21 days after Congress is required to assemble, determines by two-
thirds vote of both Houses that the President is unable to discharge
the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall continue
to discharge the same as Acting President; otherwise, the President
shall resume the powers and duties of his office.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr.
Hultgren).
Mr. HULTGREN. Amendment 26, passed by Congress March 23, 1971;
ratified July 1, 1971.
Section 1: ``The right of citizens of the United States, who are 18
years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the
United States or by any State on account of age.''
Section 2: ``The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by
appropriate legislation.''

{time} 1230

Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr.
Fincher) who will read the last amendment of the Constitution.
Mr. FINCHER. Amendment 27, originally proposed September 25, 1789;
ratified May 7, 1992.

[[Page H62]]

``No law varying the compensation for the services of the Senators
and Representatives shall take effect until an election of
Representatives shall have intervened.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, with apology to those few Members who
were waiting to read, we have now completed the first reading aloud of
the United States Constitution.
Mr. JACKSON of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, our expectation was that the
new Republican majority would read the Constitution as written and its
subsequent amendments. There is a broad body of law and interpretation
that has developed from 1787 until the adoption of the last Amendment
in 1992 that has turned our Constitution into a living document, paid
for by the blood, sweat and tears of millions of Americans from the
Revolutionary War, through the Civil War to even our current conflicts.
The new Republican majority and their redacted Constitutional reading
gives little deference to the long history of improving the
Constitution and only seeks an interpretation of our Constitution based
on the now, not the historic, broad body of law and struggle that it
has taken to get there. It leaves out the need to continue to refine
the Constitution so that we have a more perfect union.
The 10th Amendment remains the center of conservative ideology. It
reads, ``The powers not delegated to the United States by the
Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the
States respectively, or to the people.''
The 112th Congress' Republican majority is building its agenda around
the 10th Amendment. It is determined to limit the scope of Congress'
activity to legislation ``reserved'' to the United States. Then, all
other rights are in the purview of the states. Under this historic
logic, slavery was a state right protected by the Constitution and the
10th Amendment. But slavery by definition is not a human right, and
therefore states rights cannot be human rights. That is why for the
last five Congresses, I've introduced a series of Constitutional
amendments that would improve the document for all Americans by
guaranteeing essential rights.
Currently, the right to vote is a state right--subject to local
interpretations of who should vote and how. That results in thousands
of different systems, all with different rules and different
regulations. It means education is a state right, which means a child's
likelihood of success is based on where he or she is born and the
quality of schools that happen to be there. It means health care is a
right, and God help you if your state, county or city cannot provide
access to high quality care.
I will soon reintroduce the following amendments, in the hopes of
creating a more perfect union:
H.J. Res. 28--Guaranteeing the right to vote to all Americans
H.J. Res. 29--Guaranteeing the right to an education of equal high
quality
H.J. Res. 30--Guaranteeing the right to health care of equal high
quality
H.J. Res. 31--Guaranteeing the right to equality and to reproductive
rights to women
H.J. Res. 32--Guaranteeing the right to high quality housing
H.J. Res. 33--Guaranteeing the right to a clean and safe environment
H.J. Res. 34--Guaranteeing progressive taxation
H.J. Res. 35--Guaranteeing the right to full employment and balanced
growth
H.J. Res. 36--Abolishing the electoral college, and providing direct
election of the President and Vice President
I hope my Republican and Democratic colleagues will join me in
converting a reverence for the Constitution into a movement to improve
it on behalf of all Americans.

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