Congressional Record, Volume 161 Issue 4 (Friday, January 9, 2015)

[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 4 (Friday, January 9, 2015)]
[House]
[Pages H161-H168]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

{time} 0915
READING OF THE CONSTITUTION

The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Hultgren). Pursuant to section 5 of
House Resolution 5, the Chair now recognizes the gentleman from
Virginia (Mr. Goodlatte) for the reading of the Constitution.
Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, this morning, for the third time in the
history of the House of Representatives, we will read aloud on the
floor of the House the full text of the United States Constitution.
It is our hope that this reading will help demonstrate to the
American people that the House of Representatives is dedicated to the
Constitution and the system it establishes for limited government and
the protection of individual liberty. We also hope that it will inspire
many more Americans to read the Constitution themselves.
The text we will read 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 Those portions superseded by amendment will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 to all those interested in participating,
we have asked Members to line up to be recognized on a first-come,
first-served basis. I will recognize Members based on this guidance.
Each Member will approach the podium and read the passage laid out for
him or her.
In order to ensure relative parity and fairness, I may recognize
Members out of order in order to ensure bipartisanship and balance.
Additionally, because of his long-term leadership on civil rights
issues, I will recognize the gentleman from Georgia, Representative
John Lewis, to read the Thirteenth Amendment.
I want to thank the Members of both parties for their participation
in this historic event. I will begin by recognizing the gentleman from
Ohio, Speaker Boehner, to read the preamble to the Constitution:
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 defence, promote the general welfare, and secure
the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and
establish this Constitution for the United States of America.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. 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.''
I now yield to the majority leader, the gentleman from California
(Mr. McCarthy).
Mr. McCARTHY. 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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr.
Hoyer), the minority whip.
Mr. HOYER. ``No person shall be a Representative who shall not have
attained to the age of twenty-five years, and been seven years a
citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an
inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen.
``The actual enumeration shall be made within three years after the
first meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every
subsequent term of ten years, in such manner as they shall by law
direct.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr.
Scalise), the majority whip.
Mr. SCALISE. ``The number of Representatives shall not exceed one for
every thirty-thousand, but each State shall have at least one
Representative; and until such enumeration shall be made, the State of
New Hampshire shall be entitled to chuse three, Massachusetts eight,
Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations one, Connecticut five, New-York
six, New Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six,
Virginia ten, North Carolina five, South Carolina five, and Georgia
three.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr.
Cohen).
Mr. COHEN. ``When vacancies happen in the representation from any
State, the executive authority thereof shall issue writs of election to
fill such vacancies.
``The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other
officers; and shall have the sole power of impeachment.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr.
Wilson).
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Section 3:
``The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators
from each State, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote.
``Immediately after they shall be assembled in consequence of the
first election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three
classes.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from California (Mr.
Garamendi).
Mr. GARAMENDI. ``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 gentlewoman from North Carolina
(Ms. Foxx).
Ms. FOXX. ``No person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained
to the age of thirty years, and been nine years a citizen of the United
States, and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that State
for which he shall be chosen.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Florida (Mr.
Deutch).
Mr. DEUTCH. ``The Vice President of the United States shall be
President of the Senate, but shall have no vote, unless they be equally
divided.
``The Senate shall chuse their other officers, and also a President
pro tempore, in the absence of the Vice President, or when he shall
exercise the office of President of the United States.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr.
Fleischmann).
Mr. FLEISCHMANN. ``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 gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs.
Dingell).
Mrs. DINGELL. ``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

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subject to indictment, trial, judgment and punishment, according to
law.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr.
Marino).
Mr. MARINO. Section 4:
``The times, places and manner of holding elections for Senators and
Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the legislature
thereof; but the Congress may at any time by law make or alter such
regulations, except as to the places of chusing Senators.''

Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs.
Beatty).
Mrs. BEATTY. 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 Pennsylvania (Mr.
Costello).
Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. ``Each House may determine the rules of
its proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly behaviour, and, with
the concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr.
Blumenauer).
Mr. BLUMENAUER. ``Each House shall keep a Journal of its proceedings,
and from time to time publish the same, excepting such parts as may in
their judgment require secrecy; and the yeas and nays of the Members of
either House on any question shall, at the desire of one fifth of those
present, be entered on the Journal.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Wenstrup).
Mr. WENSTRUP. ``Neither House, during the session of Congress, shall,
without the consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor
to any other place than that in which the two Houses shall be
sitting.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr.
Scott).
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. 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 Ohio (Mr. Latta).
Mr. LATTA. ``No Senator or Representative shall, during the time for
which he was elected, be appointed to any civil office under the
authority of the United States, which shall have been created, or the
emoluments whereof shall have been encreased during such time; and no
person holding any office under the United States, shall be a Member of
either House during his continuance in office.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms.
Bonamici).
Ms. BONAMICI. 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 Kentucky (Mr.
Guthrie).
Mr. GUTHRIE. ``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 Minnesota (Mr.
Walz).
Mr. WALZ. ``If after such reconsideration two thirds of that House
shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, together with the
objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be
reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall
become a law.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Hill).
Mr. HILL. ``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 gentleman from New Jersey (Mr.
Pascrell).
Mr. PASCRELL. ``If any bill shall not be returned by the President
within ten days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented
to him, the same shall be a law, in like manner as if he had signed it,
unless the Congress by their adjournment prevent its return, in which
case it shall not be a law.''

{time} 0930

Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr.
Benishek).
Mr. BENISHEK. ``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 gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur).
Ms. KAPTUR. Section 8:
``The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes, duties,
imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common
defence and general welfare of the United States; but all duties,
imposts and excises shall be uniform throughout the United States; . .
.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr.
Hensarling).
Mr. HENSARLING. ``. . . 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 Virginia (Mr.
Connolly).
Mr. CONNOLLY. ``. . . 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 New Jersey (Mr.
Lance).
Mr. LANCE. ``. . . 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 gentlewoman from Hawaii (Ms.
Gabbard).
Ms. GABBARD. ``. . . to constitute tribunals inferior to the supreme
Court;
``To define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the high
seas, and offences against the law of nations; . . .''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Allen).
Mr. ALLEN. ``. . . 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 gentlewoman from Florida (Ms.
Graham).
Ms. GRAHAM. ``. . . 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 Washington (Mr.
Newhouse).

[[Page H163]]

Mr. NEWHOUSE. ``. . . 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 New York (Mr.
Serrano).
Mr. SERRANO. ``. . . to exercise exclusive legislation in all cases
whatsoever, over such district (not exceeding ten miles square) as may,
by cession of particular States, and the acceptance of Congress, become
the seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like
authority over all places purchased by the consent of the legislature
of the State in which the same shall be, for the erection of forts,
magazines, arsenals, dock-yards, and other needful buildings; . . .''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr.
Smith).
Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. ``. . . and to make all laws which shall be
necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers,
and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of
the United States, or in any department or officer thereof.''
Section 9:
``The migration or importation of such persons as any of the States
now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by
the Congress prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight,
but a tax or duty may be imposed on such importation, not exceeding ten
dollars for each person.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gene
Green).
Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. ``The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus
shall not be suspended, unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion
the public safety may require it.
``No bill of attainder or ex post facto law shall be passed.
``No capitation, or other direct, tax shall be laid, unless in
proportion to the census or enumeration herein before directed to be
taken.
``No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported from any State.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr.
Pearce).
Mr. PEARCE. ``No preference shall be given by any regulation of
commerce or revenue to the ports of one State over those of another;
nor shall vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to enter,
clear, or pay duties in another.
``No money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in consequence of
appropriations made by law; and a regular statement and account of the
receipts and expenditures of all public money shall be published from
time to time.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs.
Lawrence).
Mrs. LAWRENCE. ``No title of nobility shall be granted by the United
States: and no person holding any office of profit or trust under them,
shall, without the consent of the Congress, accept of any present,
emolument, office, or title, of any kind whatever, from any king,
prince, or foreign state.''
Section 10:
``No State shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or confederation;
grant letters of marque and reprisal; coin money; emit bills of credit;
make any thing but gold and silver coin a tender in payment of debts;
pass any bill of attainder, ex post facto law, or law impairing the
obligation of contracts, or grant any title of nobility.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Byrne).
Mr. BYRNE. ``No State shall, without the consent of the Congress, lay
any imposts or duties on imports or exports, except what may be
absolutely necessary for executing its inspection laws: and the net
produce of all duties and imposts, laid by any State on imports or
exports, shall be for the use of the Treasury of the United States; and
all such laws shall be subject to the revision and controul of the
Congress.
``No State shall, without the consent of Congress, lay any duty of
tonnage, keep troops, or ships of war in time of peace, enter into any
agreement or compact with another State, or with a foreign power, or
engage in war, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent danger as
will not admit of delay.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms.
Kelly).
Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Article II, section 1:
``The executive power shall be vested in a President of the United
States of America. He shall hold his office during the term of four
years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the same term,
be elected, as follows:
``Each State shall appoint, in such manner as the legislature thereof
may direct, a number of electors, equal to the whole number of Senators
and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress:
but no Senator or Representative, or person holding an office or trust
or profit under the United States, shall be appointed an elector.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr.
Forbes).
Mr. FORBES. ``The Congress may determine the time of chusing the
electors, and the day on which they shall give their votes; which day
shall be the same throughout the United States.
``No person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United
States, at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, shall be
eligible to the office of President; neither shall any person be
eligible to that office who shall not have attained to the age of
thirty five years, and been fourteen years a resident within the United
States.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from California (Mr.
Takano).
Mr. TAKANO. ``The President shall, at stated times, receive for his
services, a compensation, which shall neither be increased nor
diminished during the period for which he shall have been elected, and
he shall not receive within that period any other emolument from the
United States, or any of them.
``Before he enter on the execution of his office, he shall take the
following oath or affirmation:--`I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I
will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States,
and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the
Constitution of the United States.' ''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr.
Paulsen).
Mr. PAULSEN. Section 2:
``The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of
the United States, and of the militia of the several States, when
called into the actual service of the United States; he may require the
opinion, in writing, of the principal officer in each of the executive
departments, upon any subject relating to the duties of their
respective offices, and he shall have power to grant reprieves and
pardons for offences against the United States, except in cases of
impeachment.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs.
Capps).
Mrs. CAPPS. ``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 Pennsylvania (Mr.
Rothfus).
Mr. ROTHFUS. ``. . . but the Congress may by law vest the appointment
of such inferior officers, as they think proper, in the President
alone, in the courts of law, or in the heads of departments.
``The President shall have power to fill up all vacancies that may
happen during the recess of the Senate, by granting commissions which
shall expire at the end of their next session.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms.
Michelle Lujan Grisham).
Ms. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM of New Mexico. Section 3:
``He shall from time to time give the Congress information of the
State of

[[Page H164]]

the Union, and recommend to their consideration such measures as he
shall judge necessary and expedient;
``He may, on extraordinary occasions, convene both Houses, or either
of them, and in case of disagreement between them, with respect to the
time of adjournment, he may adjourn them to such time as he shall think
proper; . . . ''

{time} 0945

Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Roe).
Mr. ROE of Tennessee. ``. . . he shall receive ambassadors and other
public ministers; he shall take care that the laws be faithfully
executed, and shall commission all the officers of the United States.''
Section 4:
``The President, Vice President and all civil officers of the United
States, shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction
of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Nadler).
Mr. NADLER. Article III, section 1:
``The judicial power of the United States shall be vested in one
supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from
time to time ordain and establish. The judges, both of the supreme and
inferior Courts, shall hold their offices during good behaviour, and
shall, at stated times, receive for their services a compensation,
which shall not be diminished during their continuance in office.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr.
Bishop).
Mr. BISHOP of Michigan. 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 gentlewoman from Arizona (Mrs.
Kirkpatrick).
Mrs. KIRKPATRICK. ``. . . to controversies to which the United States
shall be a party;--to controversies between two or more States,--
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 Pennsylvania (Mr.
Perry).
Mr. PERRY. ``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 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 York (Mr.
Tonko).
Mr. TONKO. ``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 gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs.
Black).
Mrs. BLACK. Section 3:
``Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying
war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and
comfort. No person shall be convicted of treason unless on the
testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in
open court.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from California (Mr.
Costa).
Mr. COSTA. ``The Congress shall have power to declare the punishment
of treason, but no attainder of treason shall work corruption of blood,
or forfeiture except during the life of the person attainted.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Hurt).
Mr. HURT of Virginia. 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 gentlewoman from Florida (Ms.
Castor).
Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Section 2:
``The citizens of each State shall be entitled to all privileges and
immunities of citizens in the several States.
``A person charged in any State with treason, felony, or other crime,
who shall flee from justice and be found in another State, shall on
demand of the executive authority of the State from which he fled, be
delivered up, to be removed to the State having jurisdiction of the
crime.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr.
Walberg).
Mr. WALBERG. 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 Illinois (Mr.
Lipinski).
Mr. LIPINSKI. ``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. I now yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Zeldin).
Mr. ZELDIN. Section 4:
``The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a
Republican form of government, and shall protect each of them against
invasion; and on application of the legislature, or of the executive
(when the legislature cannot be convened), against domestic violence.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. David
Scott).
Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. 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
. . . ''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Jody B.
Hice).
Mr. JODY B. HICE of Georgia. ``. . . or by conventions in three
fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of ratification may be
proposed by the Congress; provided that no amendment which may be made
prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any
manner affect the first and fourth clauses in the ninth section of the
first article; and that no State, without its consent, shall be
deprived of its equal suffrage in the Senate.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from California (Mr.
Vargas).
Mr. VARGAS. 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 Louisiana (Mr.
Abraham).
Mr. ABRAHAM. ``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 Texas (Mr. Castro).
Mr. CASTRO of Texas. ``The Senators and Representatives before
mentioned,

[[Page H165]]

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 California (Mr.
Lowenthal).
Mr. LOWENTHAL. 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 gentleman from Michigan (Mr.
Moolenaar).
Mr. MOOLENAAR. ``Done in convention by the unanimous consent of the
States present the seventeenth day of September in the year of our Lord
one thousand seven hundred and eighty seven and of the independence of
the United States of America the twelfth in witness whereof we have
hereunto subscribed our names.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms.
Esty).
Ms. ESTY. 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 Oregon (Mr. Walden).
Mr. WALDEN. North Carolina: William Blount, Richard Dobbs Spaight,
Hugh Williamson.
South Carolina: John Rutledge, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Charles
Pinckney, Pierce Butler.
Georgia: William Few, Abraham Baldwin.
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from California (Mr.
McNerney).
Mr. McNERNEY. 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 gentlewoman from Alabama (Mrs.
Roby).
Mrs. ROBY. New Jersey: William Livingston, David Brearley, William
Paterson, Jonathan Dayton.
Pennsylvania: Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Mifflin, Robert Morris,
George Clymer, Thomas FitzSimons, Jared Ingersoll, James Wilson,
Gouverneur Morris.
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentlewoman from California (Ms.
Hahn).
Ms. HAHN. Amendment I:
``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 West Virginia (Mr.
Jenkins).
Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Amendment II:
``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 the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson
Lee).
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Amendment III:
``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.''

{time} 1000

Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr.
Rouzer).
Mr. ROUZER. Amendment IV:
``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 Delaware (Mr.
Carney).
Mr. CARNEY. Amendment V:
``No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise
infamous crime, unless on a presentment 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 offence 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 yield to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Emmer).
Mr. EMMER. Amendment VI:
``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 yield to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Chu).
Ms. JUDY CHU of California. ``. . . 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 defence.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentlewoman from Indiana (Mrs.
Walorski).
Mrs. WALORSKI. Amendment VII:
``In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed
twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and 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 gentlewoman from Washington (Mrs.
McMorris Rodgers), the Republican Conference chair.
Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. Amendment VIII:
``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 Colorado (Mr.
Perlmutter).
Mr. PERLMUTTER. Amendment IX:
``The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not
be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr.
Pitts).
Mr. PITTS. Amendment X:
``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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms.
Frankel).
Ms. FRANKEL of Florida. Amendment XI:
``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 Texas (Mr. Flores).
Mr. FLORES. Amendment XII:
``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 Minnesota (Mr.
Ellison).
Mr. ELLISON. ``. . . and they shall make distinct lists of all
persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-
President, and of 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; . . .''

[[Page H166]]

Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Stewart).
Mr. STEWART. ``. . . the President of the Senate shall, in the
presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the
certificates and the votes shall then be counted;--the person having
the greatest number of votes 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 gentlewoman from California (Mrs.
Davis).
Mrs. DAVIS of California. ``. . . the House of Representatives shall
choose immediately, by ballot, the 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 gentlewoman from Texas (Ms.
Granger).
Ms. GRANGER. ``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 Massachusetts (Ms.
Tsongas).
Ms. TSONGAS. ``. . . 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. Amendment XIII, 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 gentlewoman from Utah (Mrs. Love).
Mrs. LOVE. Amendment XIV, section 1:
``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; 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 Rhode Island (Mr.
Cicilline).
Mr. CICILLINE. 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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr.
Huizenga).
Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. ``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
twenty-one 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 twenty-one years of age in such State.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms.
Schakowsky).
Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Section 3:
``No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or
elector of President and 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, . . .''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Barr).
Mr. BARR. ``. . . or as a member of any State legislature, or as an
executive or judicial officer of any State, to support 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 California (Mr.
Valadao).
Mr. VALADAO. 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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr.
Fattah).
Mr. FATTAH. ``But neither the United States nor any State shall
assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of 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 now yield to the gentlewoman from California (Ms.
Pelosi), the minority leader.
Ms. PELOSI. Section 5:
``The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate
legislation, the provisions of this article.''
Amendment XV, 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 Kansas (Mr. Yoder).
Mr. YODER. Section 2:
``The Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by
appropriate legislation.''
Amendment XVI:
``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 gentlewoman from Maryland (Ms.
Edwards).
Ms. EDWARDS. Amendment XVII:
``The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators
from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six 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.
``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: . . .''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentlewoman from Indiana (Mrs.
Brooks).
Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. ``. . . 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 legislature may
direct.
``This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election
or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the
Constitution.

{time} 1015

Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs.
Mimi Walters).
Mrs. MIMI WALTERS of California. Amendment XIX:
``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 Alabama (Ms.
Sewell).

[[Page H167]]

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Amendment XX:
Section 1:
``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 3d 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 Pennsylvania (Mr.
Fitzpatrick).
Mr. FITZPATRICK. Section 2:
``The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such
meeting shall begin at noon on the 3d day of January, unless they shall
by law appoint a different day.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms.
Clarke).
Ms. CLARKE of New York. 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. 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; .
. .''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr.
Griffith).
Mr. GRIFFITH. ``. . . and the Congress may by law provide for the
case wherein neither a President elect nor a Vice President 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 qualified.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Vermont (Mr. Welch).
Mr. WELCH. 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 California (Mr.
McClintock).
Mr. McCLINTOCK. 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 seven years from the date of
its submission.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Sean
Patrick Maloney).
Mr. SEAN PATRICK MALONEY of New York. Amendment XXI:
Section 1:
``The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the
United States is hereby repealed.''
Section 2:
``The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or
possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of
intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby
prohibited.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr.
Pittenger).
Mr. PITTENGER. 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 seven years
from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie
Bernice Johnson).
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Amendment XXII:
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 two 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 Alabama (Mr.
Palmer).
Mr. PALMER. ``But this article shall not apply to any person holding
the office of President when this article was proposed by 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 gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands
(Ms. Plaskett).
Ms. PLASKETT. 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 seven years from the date of
its submission to the States by the Congress.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from California (Mr.
Tipton).
Mr. TIPTON. Amendment XXIII:
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, but in no event more
than the least populous State; . . . ''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Buck).
Mr. BUCK. ``. . . 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 twelfth 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 Ohio (Mr. Joyce).
Mr. JOYCE. Amendment XXIV:
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
Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any
State by reason of failure to pay 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 New Jersey (Mr.
LoBiondo).
Mr. LoBIONDO. Amendment XXV:
Section 1:
``In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death
or resignation, the Vice President shall become 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 Texas (Mr. Al
Green).
Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Section 3:
``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 Texas (Mr.
Farenthold).
Mr. FARENTHOLD. 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.''

[[Page H168]]

Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Florida (Mr.
Bilirakis).
Mr. BILIRAKIS. ``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, transmit within four 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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hurd).
Mr. HURD of Texas. ``Thereupon Congress shall decide the issue,
assembling within forty-eight hours for that purpose if not in session.
If the Congress, within twenty-one days after receipt of the latter
written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session, within twenty-
one 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 Ohio (Mr. Chabot).
Mr. CHABOT. Amendment XXVI:
Section 1:
``The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen 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.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr.
Westerman).
Mr. WESTERMAN. Section 2:
``The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by
appropriate legislation.''
Mr. GOODLATTE. I now yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Veasey).
Mr. VEASEY. Amendment XXVII:
``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, I ask unanimous consent that I be allowed
to revise and extend remarks and insert omitted material in the Record
during the reading of the Constitution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Virginia?
There was no objection.

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