网文《自由的基石》(美利坚合众国大使馆)报道:
上图是一份珍稀的首版印刷的《独立宣言》。此文件的手抄原本在华盛顿的国家档案馆永久展出(美联社图片)
《独立宣言》序文
大陆会议,1776 年 7 月 4 日。
美利坚合众国十三个州一致通过的《独立宣言》。
随着世间事务的发展,当一个民族必须解除其和另一个民族之间的政治联系并取得自然法则和上帝所赋予的、在举世列国中独立与平等的地位时,他们出於对人类舆论的尊重必须宣示驱使他们独立的原因。
我们认为下列真理不言而喻:人人生而平等,造物者赋予其若干不可剥夺的权利,包括生命权、自由权和追求幸福的权利;世间政府是为保障这些权利而建的,政府的正当权力来自于被治理者的认可;当任何政府形式危及这些目标时,人民就有权予以改变或废除并基于最有可能给他们带来安全与幸福的原则和权力分配形式建立新政府。
托马斯∙杰弗逊起草了《独立宣言》的初稿。(美联社图片)
美国国务院
国际信息局
《权利法案》
许多公民担心根据《美国宪法》建立的政府会变得过于强大,从而提出了若干条用以保护言论自由、出版自由、宗教自由以及其它基本权利的宪法修正案。其中有十条获得通过。它们就是如今所称的《权利法案》。
这十条后来被称为《权利法案》的宪法修正案以三分之二多数票在美国第一届国会获得通过,后又经必要的四分之三的州议会批准生效。(国家档案馆)
第一修正案(1791 年 12 月 15 日批准)
国会不得制定关于下列事项的法律:确立国教或禁止信教自由;剥夺言论自由或出版自由;或剥夺人民和平集会和向政府请愿伸冤的权利。
第二修正案(1791 年 12 月 15 日批准)
纪律严明的民兵为保障自由州安全所必需,人民持有和携带武器的权利不得侵犯。
第三修正案(1791 年 12 月 15 日批准)
未经房主同意,士兵在和平时期不得驻扎在任何住宅;除依法律规定,战时亦不得驻扎。
第四修正案(1791 年 12 月 15 日批准)
人民的人身、住宅、文件及财产安全不受无理搜查和扣押之权利不得侵犯;除非依据可能成立的理由,以宣誓或代誓宣言保证,并具体说明搜查地点和扣押之人或物,否則不得签发搜捕状。
第五修正案(1791 年 12 月 15 日批准)
除非根据大陪审团的报告或起诉书,任何人不受死罪或其他重罪的审判,惟于战争或公共危险期间发生在陆、海军中或民兵中的案件除外;任何人不得因同一罪行而两次遭受生命或身体危害;不得在任何刑事案件中被迫自证其罪;若无正当法律程序,不得被剥夺生命、自由或财产;若无公平赔偿,私有财产不得被征为公用。
第六修正案(1791 年 12 月 15 日批准)
在一切刑事诉讼中,被告享受如下权利:由罪行发生所在州和地区之公正陪审团予以迅速和公开审判,而
该地区应事先已由法律确定;得知控告之性质与理由;同原告证人对质;以司法程序获得对其有利的证人;并得到律师帮助为其辩护。
第七修正案(1791 年 12 月 15 日批准)
在习惯法诉讼中,若其争执价额超过二十美元,由陪审团审判之权利则受到保护;而除非按照习惯法规
则,由陪审团裁决之事实不得在合众国任何法院中重新审查。
第八修正案(1791 年 12 月 15 日批准)
不得要求过重的保释金,不得课以过高的罚款,不得施予残酷和逾常的刑罚。
第九修正案(1791 年 12 月 15 日批准)
本宪法中列举的某些权利,不得被解释为否认或轻视其他由人民所保留的权利。
第十修正案(1791 年 12 月 15 日批准)
凡宪法未授予合众国行使,亦未禁止各州行使的各种权力,均保留给各州政府或人民。
詹姆斯∙麦迪逊众议员在使这些修正案通过国会并获得他家乡所在地弗吉尼亚州批准的过程中起到
至关重要的作用。(美联社图片)
约翰∙亚当斯副总统作为参议院主席到场主持了联邦参议院批准这些修正案的程序。(美联社图片)
谢选骏指出:权利法案的通过是为了促使美国健康,但是两百年五十年之后,美国却日益衰弱……这是为什么呢?是宪法修正案出了问题。所以我认为,美国的复兴需要“回到宪法”,需要逐步废除过多的宪法修正案。
豆瓣读书《美國宪法正文及其修正案》(中英对照 2012-09-21)报道:
最近在读美国历史。在这个过程中,案边有一部美国宪法原文及其修正案和一个相对较好的译文显得十分重要。可上网一搜,结果并不令人满意。维基百科(中文版)中的“美国宪法”条目中,没有英文原文。原版的维基百科中,搜索“Constitution of the United States”,会得到我想要的答案,但是对于初学美国史的人来说,有一些词汇和句意恐怕不是那么容易理解,尽管可能你的英语水平已经很高。还有一些英汉对照的帖子,很不错,但只限于权利法案部分。综上,我觉得在学习美国史的过程中,整理出一套中英文对照的美国宪法修正案是必不可少的(你总不能一边看书一边还在不停地翻译那些拗口的文献,而这些文献恰恰是作为你读书时的辅助工具的)。这也是我做该帖的初衷。如果有哪些需要改进的地方,务必告之。
(注:美国宪法正文部分只摘录了译文。只因为该部分很少受到争议,较之27个修正案来讲,正文部分很少掀起波澜)
Constitution of the United States (美国宪法)
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.
(我们合众国人民,为建立更完善的联邦,树立正义,保障国内安宁,提供共同防务,促进公共福利,并使我们自己和后代得享自由的幸福,特为美利坚合众国制定本宪法。)
Article One of the United States Constitution:
第一款 本宪法授予的全部立法权,属于由参议院和众议院组成的合众国国会。
第二款 众议院由各州人民每两年选举产生的众议员组成。每个州的选举人须具备该州州议会人数最多一院选举人所必需的资格。
凡年龄不满二十五岁,成为合众国公民不满七年,在一州当选时不是该州居民者,不得担任众议员。
[众议员名额和直接税税额,在本联邦可包括的各州中,按照各自人口比例进行分配。各州人口数,按自由人总数加上所有其他人口的五分之三予以确定。自由人总 数包括必须服一定年限劳役的人,但不包括未被征税的印第安人。]人口的实际统计在合众国国会第一次会议后三年内和此后每十年内,依法律规定的方式进行。 每三万人选出的众议员人数不得超过一名,但每州至少须有一名众议员;在进行上述人口统计以前,新罕布什尔州有权选出三名,马萨诸塞州八名,罗得岛州和普罗 维登斯种植地一名,康涅狄格州五名,纽约州六名,新泽西州四名,宾夕法尼亚州八名,特拉华州一名,马里兰州六名,弗吉尼亚州十名,北卡罗来纳州五名,南卡 罗来纳州五名,佐治亚州三名。
任何一州代表出现缺额时,该州行政当局应发布选举令,以填补此项缺额。
众议院选举本院议长和其他官员,并独自拥有弹劾权。
第三款 合众国参议院由[每州州议会选举的]两名参议员组成,任期六年;每名参议员有一票表决权。
参议员在第一次选举后集会时,立即分为人数尽可能相等的三个组。第一组参议员席位在第二年年终空出,第二组参议员席位在第四年年终空出,第三组参议员席位 在第六年年终空出,以便三分之一的参议员得每二年改选一次。[在任何一州州议会休会期间,如因辞职或其他原因而出现缺额时,该州行政长官在州议会下次集会 填补此项缺额前,得任命临时参议员。]
凡年龄不满三十岁,成为合众国公民不满九年,在一州当选时不是该州居民者,不得担任参议员。
合众国副总统任参议院议长,但除非参议员投票时赞成票和反对票相等,无表决权。
参议院选举本院其他官员,并在副总统缺席或行使合众国总统职权时,选举一名临时议长。
参议院独自拥有审判一切弹劾案的权力。为此目的而开庭时,全体参议员须宣誓或作代誓宣言。合众国总统受审时,最高法院首席大法官主持审判。无论何人,非经出席参议员三分之二的同意,不得被定罪。
弹劾案的判决,不得超出免职和剥夺担任和享有合众国属下有荣誉、有责任或有薪金的任何职务的资格。但被定罪的人,仍可依法起诉、审判、判决和惩罚。
第四款 举行参议员和众议员选举的时间、地点和方式,在每个州由该州议会规定。但除选举参议员的地点外,国会得随时以法律制定或改变这类规定。
国会每年至少开会一次,除非国会以法律另订日期外,此会议在(十二月第一个星期一]举行。
第五款 每院是本院议员的选举、选举结果报告和资格的裁判者。每院议员过半数,即构成议事的法定人数;但不足法定人数时,得逐日休会,并有权按每院规定的方式和罚则,强迫缺席议员出席会议。
每院得规定本院议事规则,惩罚本院议员扰乱秩序的行为,并经三之二议员的同意开除议员。
每院应有本院会议记录,并不时予以公布,但它认为需要保密的部分除外。每院议员对于任何问题的赞成票和反对票,在出席议员五分之一的请求下,应载入会议记录。
在国会开会期间,任何一院,未经另一院同意,不得休会三日以上,也不得到非两院开会的任何地方休会。
第六款 参议员和众议员应得到服务的报酬,此项报酬由法律确定并由合众国国库支付。他们除犯叛国罪、重罪和妨害治安罪外,在一切情况下都享有在出席各自议院会议期间和往返于各自议院途中不受逮捕的特权。他们不得因在各自议院发表的演说或辩论而在任何其他地方受到质问。
参议员或众议员在当选任期内,不得被任命担任在此期间设置或增薪的合众国管辖下的任何文官职务。凡在合众国属下任职者,在继续任职期间不得担任任何一院议员。
第七款 所有征税议案应首先在众议院提出,但参议院得像对其他议案一样,提出或同意修正案。
众议院和参议院通过的每一议案,在成为法律前须送交合众国总统。总统如批准该议案,即应签署;如不批准,则应将该议案同其反对意见退回最初提出该议案的议 院。该院应特此项反对见详细载入本院会议记录并进行复议。如经复议后,该院三分之二议员同意通过该议案,该议案连同反对意见应一起送交另一议院,并同样由 该院进行复议,如经该院三分之二议员赞同,该议案即成为法律。但在所有这类情况下,两院表决都由赞成票和反对票决定;对该议案投赞成票和反对票的议员姓名 应分别载入每一议院会议记录。如任何议案在送交总统后十天内(星期日除外)未经总统退回,该议案如同总统已签署一样,即成为法律,除非因国会休会而使该议 案不能退回,在此种情况下,该议案不能成为法律。
凡须由参议院和众议院一致同意的每项命令、决议或表决(关于休会问题除外),须送交合众国总统,该项命令、决议或表决在生效前,须由总统批准,如总统不批准,则按照关于议案所规定的规则和限制,由参议院和众议院三分之二议员重新通过。
第八款 国会有权:
规定和征收直接税、进口税、捐税和其他税,以偿付国债、提供合众国共同防务和公共福利,但一切进口税、捐税和其他税应全国统一;
以合众国的信用借款;
管制同外国的、各州之间的和同印第安部落的商业;
制定合众国全国统一的归化条例和破产法;
铸造货币,厘定本国货币和外国货币的价值,并确定度量衡的标准;
规定有关伪造合众国证券和通用货币的罚则;
设立邮政局和修建邮政道路;
保障著作家和发明家对各自著作和发明在限定期限内的专有权利,以促进科学和工艺的进步;
设立低于最高法院的法院;
界定和惩罚在公海上所犯的海盗罪和重罪以及违反国际法的犯罪行为;
宣战,颁发掳获敌船许可状,制定关于陆上和水上捕获的条例;
招募陆军和供给军需,但此项用途的拨款期限不得超过两年;
建立和维持一支海军;
制定治理和管理陆海军的条例;
规定征召民兵,以执行联邦法律、镇压叛乱和击退入侵;
规定民兵的组织、装备和训练,规定用来为合众国服役的那些民兵的管理,但民兵军官的任命和按国会规定的条例训练民兵的权力,由各州保留;
对于由某些州让与合众国、经国会接受而成为合众国政府所在地的地区(不得超过十平方英里),在任何情况下都行使独有的立法权;对于经州议会同意、由合众国 在该州购买的用于建造要塞、弹药库、兵工厂、船坞和其他必要建筑物的一切地方,行使同样的权力;以及制定为行使上述各项权力和由本宪法授予合众国政府或其 任何部门或官员的一切其他权力所必要和适当的所有法律。
第九款 现有任何一州认为得准予入境之人的迁移或入境,在一千八百零八年以前,国会不得加以禁止,但对此种人的入境,每人可征不超过十美元的税。不得中止人身保护状的特权,除非发生叛乱或入侵时公共安全要求中止这项特权。
不得通过公民权利剥夺法案或追溯既往的法律。
[除依本宪法上文规定的人口普查或统计的比例,不得征收人头税或其他直接税。]
对于从任何一州输出的货物,不得征税。
任何商业或税收条例,都不得给予一州港口以优惠于他州港口的待遇;开往或开出一州的船舶,不得被强迫在他州入港、出港或纳税。
除根据法律规定的拨款外,不得从国库提取款项。一切公款收支的定期报告书和账目,应不时予以公布。
合众国不得授予贵族爵位。凡在合众国属下担任任何有薪金或有责任的职务的人,未经国会同意,不得从任何国王、君主或外国接受任何礼物、俸禄、官职或任何一种爵位。
第十款 任何一州都不得:缔结任何条约,参加任何同盟或邦联;颁发捕获敌船许可状;铸造货币;发行纸币;使用金银币以外的任何物品作为偿还债务的货币;通过任何公民权利剥夺法案、追溯既往的法律或损害契约义务的法律;或授予任何贵族爵位。
任何一州,未经国会同意,不得对进口货或出口货征收任何税款,但为执行本州检查法所绝对必需者除外。任何一州对进口货或出口货所征全部税款的纯收益供合众国国库使用;所有这类法律得由国会加以修正和控制。
任何一州,未经国会同意,不得征收任何船舶吨位税,不得在和平时期保持军队或战舰,不得与他州或外国缔结协定或盟约,除非实际遭到入侵或遇刻不容缓的紧迫危险时不得进行战争。
Article two of the United States Constitution:
第一款 行政权属于美利坚合众国总统。总统任期四年,副总统的任期相同。总统和副总统按以下方法选举;每个州依照该州议会所定方式选派选举人若干人,其数目同该州 在国会应有的参议员和众议员总人数相等。但参议员或众议员,或在合众国属下担任有责任或有薪金职务的人,不得被选派为选举人。
[选举人在各自州内集会,投票选举两人,其中至少有一人不是选举人本州的居民。选举人须开列名单,写明所有被选人和每人所得票数;在该名单上签名作证,将 封印后的名单送合众国政府所在地,交参议院议长收。参议院议长在参议院和众议院全体议员面前开拆所有证明书,然后计算票数。得票最多的人,如所得票数超过 所选派选举人总数的半数,即为总统。如获得此种过半数票的人不止一人,且得票相等,众议院应立即投票选举其中一人为总统。如无人获得过半数票;该院应以同 样方式从名单上得票最多的五人中选举一人为总统。但选举总统时,以州为单位计票,每州代表有一票表决权;三分之二的州各有一名或多名众议员出席,即构成选 举总统的法定人数,选出总统需要所有州的过半数票。在每种情况下,总统选出后,得选举人票最多的人,即为副总统。但如果有两人或两人以上得票相等,参议院 应投票选举其中一人为副总统。]
国会得确定选出选举人的时间和选举人投票日期,该日期在全合众国应为同一天。
无论何人,除生为合众国公民或在本宪法采用时已是合众国公民者外,不得当选为总统;凡年龄不满三十五岁、在合众国境内居住不满十四年者,也不得当选为总统。
[如遇总统被免职、死亡、辞职或丧失履行总统权力和责任的能力时,总统职务应移交副总统。国会得以法律规定在总统和副总统两人被免职、死亡、辞职或丧失任职能力时,宣布应代理总统的官员。该官员应代理总统直到总统恢复任职能力或新总统选出为止。]
总统在规定的时间,应得到服务报酬,此项报酬在其当选担任总统任期内不得增加或减少。总统在任期内不得接受合众国或任何一州的任何其他俸禄。
总统在开始执行职务前,应作如下宣誓或代誓宣言:“我庄严宣誓(或宣言)我一定忠实执行合众国总统职务,竭尽全力维护、保护和捍卫合众国宪法”。
策二款 总统是合众国陆军、海军和征调为合众国服役的各州民兵的总司令。他得要求每个行政部门长官就他们各自职责有关的任何事项提出书面意见。他有权对危害合众国的犯罪行为发布缓刑令和赦免令,但弹劾案除外。
总统经咨询参议院和取得其同意有权缔结条约,但须经出席参议员三分之二的批准。他提名,并经咨询参议院和取得其同意,任命大使、公使和领事、最高法院法官 和任命手续未由本宪法另行规定而应由法律规定的合众国所有其他官员。但国会认为适当时,得以法律将这类低级官员的任命权授予总统一人、法院或各部部长。
总统有权委任人员填补在参议院休会期间可能出现的官员缺额,此项委任在参议院下期会议结束时满期。
第三款 总统应不时向国会报告联邦情况,并向国会提出他认为必要和妥善的措施供国会审议。在非常情况下,他得召集两院或任何一院开会。如遇两院对休会时间有意见分 歧时,他可使两院休会到他认为适当的时间。他应接见大使和公使。他应负责使法律切实执行,并委任合众国的所有官员。
第四款 总统、副总统和合众国的所有文职官员,因叛国、贿赂或其他重罪和轻罪而受弹劾并被定罪时,应予免职。
Article three of the United States Constitution:
第一款 合众国的司法权,属于最高法院和国会不时规定和设立的下级法院。最高法院和下级法院的法官如行为端正,得继续任职,并应在规定的时间得到服务报酬,此项报酬在他们继续任职期间不得减少。
第二款 司法权的适用范围包括:由于本宪法、合众国法律和根据合众国权力已缔结或将缔结的条约而产生的一切普通法的和衡平法的案件;涉及大使、公使和领事的一切案 件;关于海事法和海事管辖权的一切案件;合众国为一方当事人的诉讼;两个或两个以上州之间的诉讼;[一州和他州公民之间的诉讼;]不同州公民之间的诉 讼;同州公民之间对不同州让与土地的所有权的诉讼;一州或其公民同外国或外国公民或国民之间的诉讼。
涉及大使、公使和领事以及一州为一方当事人的一切案件,最高法院具有第一审管辖权。对上述所有其他案件,不论法律方面还是事实方面,最高法院具有上诉审管辖权,但须依照国会所规定的例外和规章。
除弹劾案外,一切犯罪由陪审团审判;此种审判应在犯罪发生的州内举行;但如犯罪不发生在任何一州之内,审判应在国会以法律规定的一个或几个地点举行。
第三款 对合众国的叛国罪只限于同合众国作战,或依附其敌人,给予其敌人以帮助和鼓励。无论何人,除根据两个证人对同一明显行为的作证或本人在公开法庭上的供认,不得被定为叛国罪。
国会有权宣告对叛国罪的惩罚,但因叛国罪而剥夺公民权,不得造成血统玷污,除非在被剥夺者在世期间,也不得没收其财产。
Article four of the United States Constitution:
第一款 每个州对于他州的公共法律、案卷和司法程序,应给予充分信任和尊重。国会得以一般法律规定这类法律、案卷和司法程序如何证明和具有的效力。
第二款 每个州的公民享有各州公民的一切特权和豁免权。
在任何一州被控告犯有叛国罪、重罪或其他罪行的人,逃脱法网而在他州被寻获时,应根据他所逃出之州行政当局的要求将他交出,以便解送到对犯罪行为有管辖权的州。
[根据一州法律须在该州服劳役或劳动的人,如逃往他州,不得因他州的法律或规章而免除此种劳役或劳动,而应根据有权得到此劳役或劳动之当事人的要求将他交出。]
第三款 新州得由国会接纳加入本联邦;但不得在任何其他州的管辖范围内组成或建立新州;未经有关州议会和国会的同意,也不得合并两个或两个以上的州或几个州的一部分组成新州。
国会对于属于合众国的领土或其他财产,有权处置和制定一切必要的条例和规章。对本宪法条文不得作有损于合众国或任何一州的任何权利的解释。
第四款 合众国保证本联邦各州实行共和政体,保护每州免遭入侵,并应州议会或州行政长官(在州议会不能召开时)的请求平定内乱。
Article five of the United States Constitution:
国会在两院三分之二议员认为必要时,应提出本宪法的修正案,或根据各州三分之二州议会的请求,召开制宪会议提出修正案。不论哪种方式提出的修正案,经各州 四分之三州议会或四分之三州制宪会议的批准,即实际成为本宪法的一部分而发生效力;采用哪种批准方式,得由国会提出建议。但[在一千八百零八年以前制定的 修正案,不得以任何形式影响本宪法第一条第九款第一项和第四项];⑩任何一州,不经其同意,不得被剥夺它在参议院的平等投票权。
Article six of the United States Constitution:
本宪法采用前订立的一切债务和承担的一切义务,对于实行本宪法的合众国同邦联时期一样有效。
本宪法和依本宪法所制定的合众国法律,以及根据合众国的权力已缔结或将缔结的一切条约,都是全国的最高法律;每个州的法官都应受其约束,即使州的宪法和法律中有与之相抵触的内容。
上述参议员和众议员,各州州议会议员,以及合众国和各州所有行政和司法官员,应宣誓或作代誓宣言拥护本宪法;但决不得以宗教信仰作为担任合众国属下任何官职或公职的必要资格。
Article seven of the United States Constitution:
经九个州制宪会议的批准,即足以使本宪法在各批准州成立。本宪法于耶酥纪元1787年,即美利坚合众国独立后第十二年的九月十七日,经出席各州在制宪会议上一致同意后制定。我们谨在此签名作证。
签字人:
主席、弗吉尼亚州代表乔治•华盛顿
新罕布什尔州
约翰•兰登 尼古拉斯•吉尔曼
马萨诸塞州
纳撒尼尔•戈勒姆 鲁弗斯•金
康涅狄格州
威廉•塞缪尔•约翰逊 罗杰•谢尔曼
纽约州
亚历山大•汉密尔顿
新泽西州
威廉•利文斯顿 威廉•帕特森
戴维•布里尔利 乔纳森•戴顿
宾夕法尼亚州
本杰明•富兰克林 托马斯•菲茨西蒙斯
托马斯•米夫林 贾雷德•英格索尔
罗伯特•莫里斯 詹姆斯•威尔逊
乔治•克莱默 古•莫里斯
特拉华州
乔治•里德 理查德•巴西特
小冈宁•贝德福德
雅各布•布鲁姆 约翰•迪金森
马里兰州
詹姆斯•麦克亨利 丹尼尔•卡罗尔
圣托马斯•詹尼弗的丹尼尔
弗吉尼亚州
约翰•布莱尔 小詹姆斯•麦迪逊
北卡罗来纳州
威廉•布朗特 休•威廉森
理查德•多布斯•斯佩特
南卡罗来纳州
约翰•拉特利奇 查尔斯•平克尼
查尔斯•科茨沃斯•平克尼 皮尔斯•巴特勒
佐治亚州
威廉•费尤 亚伯拉罕•鲍德温
证人:威廉•杰克逊,秘书
按照原宪法第五条、由国会提出并经各州批准、增添和修改美利坚合众国宪法的条款
Amendments to the United States Constitution:(宪法修正案)
(注:括号内为参考译文)
前十条修正案于1789年9月25日提出,1791年12月15日被十三个州批准生效,被称为United States Bill of Rights (权利法案),如下:
Amendment 1:
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.
(国会不得制定关于下列事项的法律:确立国教或禁止信教自由;剥夺言论自由或出版自由;或剥夺人民和平集会和向政府请愿伸冤的权利。)
Amendment 2:
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.
(一支管理良好的民兵是保障自由州的安全所必需的,因此人民持有和携带武器的权利不得侵犯。)
Amendment 3:
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.
(未经房主同意,士兵平时不得驻扎在任何住宅;除依法律规定的方式,战时也不得驻扎。)
Amendment 4:
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.
(人民的人身、住宅、文件和财产不受无理搜查和扣押的权利,不得侵犯。除依据可能成立的理由,以宣誓或代誓宣言保证,并详细说明搜查地点和扣押的人或物,不得发出搜查和扣押状。)
Amendment 5:
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; 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.
(无论何人,除非根据大陪审团的报告或起诉书,不受死罪或其他重罪的审判,但发生在陆、海军中或发生在战时或出现公共危险时服役的民兵中的案件除外。任何人 不得因同一犯罪行为而两次遭受生命或身体的危害;不得在任何刑事案件中被迫自证其罪;不经正当法律程序,不得被剥夺生命、自由或财产。不给予公平赔偿,私 有财产不得充作公用。)
Amendment 6:
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, 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.
(在一切刑事诉讼中,被告有权由犯罪行为发生地的州和地区的公正陪审团予以迅速和公开的审判,该地区应事先已由法律确定;得知控告的性质和理由;同原告证人对质;以强制程序取得对其有利的证人;并取得律师帮助为其辩护。)
Amendment 7:
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.
(在习惯法的诉讼中,其争执价额超过二十美元,由陪审团审判的权利应受到保护。由陪审团裁决的事实,合众国的任何法院除非按照习惯法规则,不得重新审查。)
Amendment 8:
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
(不得要求过多的保释金,不得处以过重的罚金,不得施加残酷和非常的惩罚。)
Amendment 9:
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
(本宪法对某些权利的列举,不得被解释为否定或轻视由人民保留的其他权利。)
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.
(宪法未授予合众国、也未禁止各州行使的权力,由各州各自保留,或由人民保留。)
另外还有十七条修正案,分列如下:
Amendment 11:
Passed by Congress March 4, 1794. Ratified February 7, 1795.
Note: Article III, section 2, of the Constitution was modified by amendment 11.
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.
(合众国的司法权,不得被解释为适用于由他州公民或任何外国公民或国民对合众国一州提出的或起诉的任何普通法或衡平法的诉讼。)
Amendment 12:
Passed by Congress December 9, 1803. Ratified June 15, 1804.
Note: A portion of Article II, section 1 of the Constitution was superseded by the 12th amendment.
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, 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; -- 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, 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. [And if the House of Representatives shall not choose a President whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice-President shall act as President, as in case of the death or other constitutional disability of the President. --]* 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; 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.
(选举人在各自州内集会,投票选举总统和副总统,其中至少有一人不是选举人本州的居民。选举人须在选票上写明被选为总统之人的姓名,并在另一选票上写明校选 为副总统之人的姓名。选举人须将所有被选为总统之人和所有被选为副总统之人分别开列名单,写明每人所得票数;在该名单上签名作证,将封印后的名单送合众国 政府所在地,交参议院议长收。参议院议长在参议院和众议院全体议员面前开拆所有证明书,然后计算票数。获得总统选票最多的人,如所得票数超过所选派选举人 总数的半数,即为总统。如无人获得这种过半数票,众议院应立即从被选为总统之人名单中得票最多的但不超过三人中间,投票选举总统。但选举总统时,以州为单 位计票,每州代表有一票表决权。三分之二的州各有一名或多名众议员出席,即构成选举总统的法定人数,选出总统需要所有州的过半数票。[当选举总统的权力转 移到众议院时,如该院在次年三月四日前尚未选出总统,则由副总统代理总统,如同总统死亡或宪法规定的其他丧失任职能力的情况一样。]⑩得副总统选票最多的 人,如所得票数超过所选派选举人总数的半数,即为副总统。如无人得过半数票,参议院应从名单上得票最多的两人中选举副总统。选举副总统的法定人数由参议员 总数的三分之二构成,选出副总统需要参议员总数的过半数票。但依宪法无资格担任总统的人,也无资格担任合众国副总统。)
Amendment 13:
Passed by Congress January 31, 1865. Ratified December 6, 1865.
Note: A portion of Article IV, section 2, of the Constitution was superseded by the 13th amendment.
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.
(第一款 在合众国境内受合众国管辖的任何地方,奴隶制和强制劳役都不得存在,但作为对于依法判罪的人的犯罪的惩罚除外;
第二款 国会有权以适当立法实施本条。)
Amendment 14:
Passed by Congress June 13, 1866. Ratified July 9, 1868.
Note: Article I, section 2, of the Constitution was modified by section 2 of the 14th amendment.
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.
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 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.
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, 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.
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 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.
Section 5.
The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.
( 第一款 所有在合众国出生或归化合众国并受其管辖的人,都是合众国的和他们居住州的公民。任何一州,都不得制定或实施限制合众国公民的特权或豁免权的任何法律;不经正当法律程序,不得剥夺任何人的生命、自由或财产;在州管辖范围内,也不得拒绝给予任何人以平等法律保护。
第二款 众议员名额,应按各州人口比例进行分配,此人口数包括一州的全部人口数,但不包括未被征税的印第安人。但在选举合众国总统和副总统选举人、国会众议员、州 行政和司法官员或州议会议员的任何选举中,一州的[年满二十一岁]⑩并且是合众国公民的任何男性居民,除因参加叛乱或其他犯罪外,如其选举权道到拒绝或受 到任何方式的限制,则该州代表权的基础,应按以上男性公民的人数同该州年满二十一岁男性公民总人数的比例予以削减。
第三款 无论何人,凡先前曾以国会议员、或合众国官员、或任何州议会议员、或任何州行政或司法官员的身份宣誓维护合众国宪法,以后又对合众国作乱或反叛,或给予合 众国敌人帮助或鼓励,都不得担任国会参议员或众议员、或总统和副总统选举人,或担任合众国或任何州属下的任何文职或军职官员。但国会得以两院各三分之二的 票数取消此种限制。
第四款 对于法律批准的合众国公共债务,包括因支付平定作乱或反叛有功人员的年金和奖金而产生的债务,其效力不得有所怀疑。但无论合众国或任何一州,都不得承担或 偿付因援助对合众国的作乱或反叛而产生的任何债务或义务,或因丧失或解放任何奴隶而提出的任何赔偿要求;所有这类债务、义务和要求,都应被认为是非法和无效的。
第五款 国会有权以适当立法实施本条规定。)
Amendment 15:
Passed by Congress February 26, 1869. Ratified February 3, 1870.
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--
Section 2.
The Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
(第一款 合众国公民的选举权,不得因种族、肤色或以前是奴隶而被合众国或任何一州加以拒绝或限制。
第二款 国会有权以适当立法实施本条。)
Amendment 16:
Passed by Congress July 2, 1909. Ratified February 3, 1913.
Note: Article I, section 9, of the Constitution was modified by 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.
( 国会有权对任何来源的收入规定和征收所得税,无须在各州按比例进行分配,也无须考虑任何人口普查或人口统计。)
Amendment 17:
Passed by Congress May 13, 1912. Ratified April 8, 1913.
Note: Article I, section 3, of the Constitution was modified by the 17th amendment.
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: 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.
( 合众国参议院由每州人民选举的两名参议员组成,任期六年;每名参议员有一票表决权。每个州的选举人应具备该州州议会人数最多一院选举人所必需的资格。
任何一州在参议院的代表出现缺额时,该州行政当局应发布选举令,以填补此项缺额。但任何一州的议会,在人民依该议会指示举行选举填补缺额以前,得授权本州行政长官任命临时参议员。
本条修正案不得作如此解释,以致影响在本条修正案作为宪法的一部分生效以前当选的任何参议员的选举或任期。)
Amendment 18:
Passed by Congress December 18, 1917. Ratified January 16, 1919. Repealed by amendment 21.
Section 1.
After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.
Section 2.
The Congress and the several States shall have concurrent power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
Section 3.
This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.
(第一款 本条批准一年后,禁止在合众国及其管辖下的一切领土内酿造、出售和运送作为饮料的致醉酒类;禁止此类酒类输入或输出合众国及其管辖下的一切领土。
第二款 国会和各州都有权以适当立法实施本条。
第三款 本条除非在国会将其提交各州之日起七年以内,由各州议会按本宪法规定批准为宪法修正案,不得发生效力。)
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.
( 合众国公民的选举权,不得因性别而校合众国或任何一州加以拒绝或限制。国会有权以适当立法实施本条。)
Amendment 20:
Passed by Congress March 2, 1932. Ratified January 23, 1933.
Note: Article I, section 4, of the Constitution was modified by section 2 of this amendment. In addition, a portion of the 12th amendment was superseded by section 3.
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.
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.
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; 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.
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.
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.
( 第一款 总统和副总统的任期应在本条未获批准前原定任期届满之年的一月二十日正午结束,参议员和众议员的任期在本条未获批准前原定任期届满之年的一月三日正午结束,他们继任人的任期在同时开始。
国会每年至少应开会一次,除国会以法律另订日期外,此会议在一月三日正午开始。
如当选总统在规定总统任期开始的时间已经死亡,当选副总统应成为
总统。如在规定总统任期开始的时间以前,总统尚未选出,或当选总统不合乎资格,则当选副总统应代理总统直到 一名总统已合乎资格时为止。在当选总统和当选副总统都不合乎资格时,国会得以法律规定代理总统之人,或宣布选出代理总统的办法。此人应代理总统直到一名总 统或副总统合乎资格时为止。
国会得以法律对以下情况作出规定:在选举总统的权利转移到众议院时,而可被该院选为总统的人中有人死亡;在选举副总统的权利转移到参议院时,而可被该院选为副总统的人中有人死亡。
第五款 第一款和第二款应在本条批准以后的十月十五日生效。
第六款 本条除非在其提交各州之日起七年以内,自四分之三州议会批准为宪法修正案,不得发生效力。)
Amendment 21:
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.
(第一款 美利坚合众国宪法修正案第十八条现予废除。
在合众国任何州、领地或属地内,凡违反当地法律为在当地发货或使用而运送或输入致醉酒类,均予以禁止。
本条除非在国会将其提交各州之日起七年以内,由各州制宪会议依本宪法规定批准为宪法修正案,不得发生效力。)
Amendment 22:
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.
(无论何人,当选担任总统职务不得超过两次;无论何人,在他人当选总统任期内担任总统职务或代理总统两年以上,不得当选担任总统职务一次以上。但本条不适用 于在国会提出本条时正在担任总统职务的任何人;也不妨碍本条在一届总统任期内生效时正在担任总统职务或代理总统的任何人,在此届任期结束前继续担任总统职 务或代理总统。
本条除非在国会将其提交各州之日起七年以内,由四分之三州议会批准为宪法修正案,不得发生效力。)
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, 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.
( 第一款 合众国政府所在的特区,应依国会规定方式选派:一定数目的总统和副总统选举人,其人数如同特区是一个州一样,等于它在国会有权拥有的参议员和众议员人数的 总和,但不得超过人口最少之州的选举人人数。他们是在各州所选派的举人以外增添的人,但为了选举总统和副总统的目的,应被视为一个州选派的选举人;他们在 特区集会,履行第十二条修正案所规定的职责。
第二款 国会有权以适当立法实施本条。)
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 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.
(第一款 合众国公民在总统或副总统、总统或副总统选举人、或国会参议员或众议员的任何预选或其他选举中的选举权,不得因未交纳任何人头税或其他税而被合众国或任何一州加以拒绝或限制。
第二款 国会有权以适当立法实施本条。)
Amendment 25:
Passed by Congress July 6, 1965. Ratified February 10, 1967.
Note: Article II, section 1, of the Constitution was affected by the 25th amendment.
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.
( 第一款 如遇总统被免职、死亡或辞职,副总统应成为总统。
第二款 凡当副总统职位出缺时,总统应提名一名副总统,经国会两院都以过半数票批准后就职。
第三款 凡当总统向参议院临时议长和众议院议长提交书面声明,声称他不能够履行其职务的权力和责任,直至他向他们提交一份相反的声明为止,其权力和责任应由副总统作为代理总统履行。
第四款 凡当副总统和行政各部长官的多数或国会以法律设立的其他机构成员的多数,向参议院临时议长和众议院议长提交书面声明,声称总统不能够履行总统职务的权力和责任时,副总统应立即作为代理总统承担总统职务的权力和责任。
此后,当总统向参议院临时议长和众议院议长提交书面声明,声称丧失能力的情况不存在时,他应恢复总统职务的权力和责任, 除非副总统和行政各部长官的多数或国会以法律设立的其它机构成员的多数在四天之内向参议院临时议长和众议院议长提交书面声明,声称总统不能够履行总统职务 的权力和责任。在此种情况下,国会应决定这一问题,如在休会期间,应为此目的在四十八小时以内集会。如国会在收到后一书面声明后的二十一天以内,或如适逢 休会期间,则在国会按照要求集会以后的二十一天以内,以两院的三分之二的票数决定总统不能够履行总统职务的权力和责任,副总统应继续作为代理总统履行总统 职务的权力和责任;否则总统应恢复总统职务的权力和责任。)
Amendment 26:
Passed by Congress March 23, 1971. Ratified July 1, 1971.
Note: Amendment 14, section 2, of the Constitution was modified by section 1 of the 26th amendment.
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.
(第一款 年满十八岁和十八岁以上的合众国公民的选举权,不得因为年龄而被合众国或任何一州加以拒绝或限制。
第二款 国会有权以适当立法实施本条。)
Amendment 27:
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.
( 改变参议员和众议员服务报酬的法律,在众议员选举举行之前不得生效。)
谢选骏指出:美国宪法修正案本来是“自由的基石”,但是现在,叠床架屋的宪法修正案,使得美国沦为“修正主义大国”,结果却是社会日益衰落,法律迁就吸毒者众多——美国自由的基石正在松动——标志之一就是大麻合法化所导致的毒品泛滥!每年将近十万人为此而死——这就是“自由的基石正在松动的标志”!美国的复兴,需要回到宪法——逐步废除如此有害的“宪法修正案”。