Originally proposed Sept. 25, 1789. Ratified May 7, 1992.
No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of representatives shall have intervened.
Breakdown...
The 27th Amendment:
Prohibits any law that increases or decreases the salary of members of Congress from taking effect until the start of the next set of terms of office for Representatives.
Most recent amendment to the United States Constitution.
Additional Information on this Amendment:
This amendment was part of the original Twelve amendments in the 1789 Bill of Rights. This amendment was only ratified by seven states, thus prohibiting it from making it into the Constitution. Only ten of the original twelve amendments made it into what we know as the current Bill of Rights.
This is a funny image that depicts the common view that members of congress are only concerned about their well-being. During the Governmental shutdown Congressman continued to receive pay. They used the 27th Amendment to justify this. I believe the 27th Amendment is good because it prohibits Congress from voting themselves a raise.
This image depicts the view that Congress is basically selfish. Due to the fact that even if we cut or suspended their pay, they make so much income that they would not really suffer, although their would be an uproar. Why does Congress make so much income? I believe it is because they want to be viewed as upper class people, it generates more respect in their eyes and in other upper class citizens eyes. Would an upper class citizen have more or less respect for Congress if they made minimum wage? I personally would have more respect if they chose to be in Congress to make a positive change, and they constantly were proactive regardless of the pay.
Passed by Congress March 23, 1971. Ratified July 1, 1971.
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.
Section 2.
The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
Breakdown... The 26th Amendment:
Prohibits the states and the federal government from denying the right of US citizens, eighteen years of age or older, to vote on account of age.
More information on this Amendment:
The movement to lower the voting age from 21 to 18 in the 1960s, was mainly driven by the broader student activism movement protesting the Vietnam War.
The impetus for drafting a Constitutional amendment to lower the voting age arose following the Supreme Court's decision in Oregon v. Mitchell, 400 U.S. 112 (1970), which held that Congress may set requirements for voting in federal elections, but is prohibited from setting requirements in state and local elections.
The 26th Amendment was driven by these student activists, many of whom were injured or killed while protesting the Vietnam War. The people opposed to the war at the time were referred to as Hippies. A derogatory term for a peace seeker. It is usually the younger generation that can find the fault that the older generation has become accustomed to, such as the right for an 18yr old to vote.
These men are protesting against the idea that at 18, you can not vote, but you can be drafted to fight in the Vietnam war. I do believe this to be a great injustice.
Passed by Congress July 6, 1965. Ratified February 10, 1967.
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.
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.
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.
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. 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.
Breakdown...
25th Amendment:
Establishes procedures for filling a vacancy in the office of the Vice President.
Deals with succession to the Presidency.
Deals with how to respond to Presidential disabilities.
Supercedes Article II, Section 1, Clause 6 of the Constitution, which does not state whether the Vice President becomes the President, or just an Acting President, if the President dies, resigns, is removed from office or is unable to discharge the powers of the presidency.
List of Succession if something happened to the President, Vice President, Speaker of the House,....etc:
Vice President Speaker of the House President Pro Tempore of the Senate Secretary of State Secretary of the Treasury Secretary of Defense Attorney General Secretary of the Interior Secretary of Agriculture Secretary of Commerce Secretary of Labor Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Secretary of Transportation Secretary of Energy Secretary of Education Secretary of Veterans Affairs Secretary of Homeland security
I like this video because it shows a good example of the disorganization of not having a a Presidential succession. I like how it ends with basically saying "raise your hand if you want to become President." Organization is key to any society regardless of location.
This image depicts the idea that a President can be a sort of dictator in a sense. Some people may think the line of succession is not a good thing because not all the people within the line of succession may be seen as worthy of presidency. In a way it would seem like the people would not have much of a say in who becomes President should something happen to him.
This image of a dino depicts the notion that maybe our list of successors are too long.
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 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.
Breakdown... The 24th Amendment:
Prohibits Congress and the states from conditioning the right to vote in federal elections on payment of a poll tax.
Made poll tax unconstitutional in regards to federal elections.
Additional info relating to the 24th Amendment:
In 1966, after the case of Harper v. Virginia Board of Elections, poll taxes for state elections were considered unconstitutional because they violated the 14th Amendment under the Equal Protection Clause.
The poll taxes inhibited many poor and African American's from voting in state elections.
This group of people protest against the injustice of poll taxes that inhibited many poor and African Americans from voting. The poll tax is another instance of segregation among social classes. This issue of poll taxing was ignored by many, which goes to show we are the one's that have to make a change. The first step towards fixing a problem is pointing it out.
Not everyone was happy with the decision to end the Southern states poll taxes.These three civil rights workers, Michael Schwerner, Andrew Goodman, and James Chaney, were killed by local segregationist law enforcement officials near Philadelphia, Mississippi. Although this would seem strange to happen now, it was not seen as uncommon in the 1960's. We must remember that even if a rule/law such as poll taxes is implemented and agreed on by a majority of society, it is not always a good rule/law. We must always think of the other side in every situation.
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, 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 twelfth article of amendment.
Section 2.
The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
Breakdown... Basic Meaning:
Washington DC may appoint and may have as many electors in the Electoral College as if it were a state. The smallest state has three electoral votes and the 23rd amendment limits DC from having more votes than any other state, regardless of the DC population.
The status and position of these electors is equivalent to other electors.
The 12th amendment provides for the creation of the Electoral College and those electors selected for DC under the 23rd amendment will be expected to carry out that same responsibilities.
Congress has the responsibility to ensure that the provisions of the 23rd amendment are enforced and DC has its electoral votes applied to subsequence presidential elections. More Basically-The Electoral College, in 1787, granted votes only to states. Until 1961, people who lived in the District of Columbia weren't able to vote for president. The 23rd Amendment gave DC residents a number of presidential electors (3) equal to those of the least populous state. The 23rd Amendment:
Amended Article 2 section 2, president seeks out council of States.
Washington DC is allowed 3 electoral votes (it is not considered to be a state).
The 23rd amendment may end in the event that DC residents get their voting rights.
Extends the right to vote in the presidential election to citizens residing in the District of Columbia by granting the District electors in the Electoral College, as if it were a state.
This image depicts a shiny promise of Democracy that hangs above the Capitol, while a voice from inside basically says voting rites for DC is ridiculous and a man appears to have been thrown out with the trash his proposed amendment (referring to the 1970's when an amendment was proposed to allow Washington to be viewed as a State was disregarded) thrown out with him, he holds up an American flag relating to his American citizenship, and has a sign around his neck that says "DC Votes". This promise of Democracy is a contradiction due to the fact that Washington D.C. is a city that is larger than 12 states, but does not have a house or senate representative.
This video is a simple entertaining 6 min informative lecture on the 23rd Amendment, and how Washington DC does not have a voice in the government. They also bring up the proposed amendment of the 1970's requesting Washington to be viewed as a State, especially due to it's large size. I do believe this to be a sort of segregation.
Passed by Congress March 21, 1947. Ratified February 27, 1951.
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. 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.
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.
Breakdown... This amendment put simply is: No one is eligible to be President more than twice. This includes anyone that was not elected but filled in for another person that was elected president for at least 2 years of the term. This is considered a full term and that person is ineligible to run for a third term. the amendment does not apply to whoever is in office whenever the 22nd amendment is ratified. This amendment, ratified in 1947, would have become invalid in 1957 if ¾ of the states did not approve it. 22nd Amendment:
Stops candidates from being elected President after 2 terms.
Exceptions:
A vice president who serves out less than two years of his predecessor's term is allowed another two terms of his own. (serving 10yrs vs. 8)
More Interesting info relating to this Amendment:
The Constitution of 1787 set no term limits on the President of the United States.
George Washington, voluntarily retired from office after two terms because he did not want to be seen as a King. This established an informal two-term limit that lasted for nearly 150 years.
Franklin D. Roosevelt got himself elected president four times in a row, serving from 1933 until he died in office in 1945.
This is a funny image of a small child asking for a term limit on his father. I really don't think term limits would be a good thing in parent cases. A good parent looks out for the child's best interest without it being to the parent's benefit. I child may not appreciate it or enjoy eating his veggies but it is good for him. Whereas in a president's case he does not always look out for the citizens best interest because he cares for them, but because he want's something in return. Sometimes a president won't look out for a citizen's benefit at all.
This is a short video on how some people are looking to do away with the 22nd amendment. The thought behind this is to limit lame duck issues. I believe this would only cause more problems, any person who holds a presidency for 8 years or more would become politically corrupt. They would see themselves as above the people, instead of for the people. I do not say this out of disrespect, I say that a president would stand no chance but to become politically corrupt. He would not necessarily be aware of this change in character. The video below has also brought up some questions as to what the president may be deciding in regards to the 22nd amendment.
Passed by Congress February 20, 1933. Ratified December 5, 1933. 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. 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. Breakdown... You can drink beer now! The 21st Amendment:
Only Amendment to repeal a previous (18) Amendment on alcohol prohibition.
Only Amendment to have been ratified by the method of the state ratifying convention.
Came about because the organized crime profited most from prohibition.
This image depicts a happy young man with his glass raised seemingly proposing a toast. The sign in the background saying "Good old days are back again!" This image is one that resulted from the ending of the 18th Amendment and the start of the 20th Amendment. I would definitely be happy with the end of prohibition, not only because I could drink, but because the organized crime rings wouldn't be profiting as much.
This image depicts a woman that stands for American mothers and she is voting against prohibition pointing to a sign that describes prohibition basically as a trap or trail towards destruction. With the close of the 18th amendment many questions have arisen with the marijuana policy. Many people believe this drug should be legal in all states and use the 18th amendment as an example of this belief. I myself do think people should have the option to use marijuana however studies have shown it can cause some brain damage. Nevertheless so can alcohol and dehydration, and many people, especially those who can not afford health care, turn to cheaper drugs for pain relief.
