Bill of rights / Amendments

Bill of Rights (Amendments 1–10, ratified 1791)

1. Freedom of Speech, Religion, and Press – Protects freedom of expression, religion, press, assembly, and petition.
2. Right to Bear Arms – Guarantees the right to keep and bear arms.
3. Quartering of Soldiers – Prohibits forced housing of soldiers in private homes during peacetime.
4. Search and Seizure – Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures; requires warrants.
5. Rights of the Accused – Ensures due process, protects against self-incrimination and double jeopardy.
6. Right to a Fair Trial – Guarantees a speedy, public trial by jury in criminal cases, with legal counsel.
7. Trial by Jury in Civil Cases – Guarantees a jury trial in federal civil cases.
8. Bail and Punishment – Prohibits excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment.
9. Rights Retained by the People – Clarifies that rights not listed in the Constitution are still retained by the people.
10. States’ Rights – Powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved to the states or the people.

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Later Amendments (11–27)

11. Lawsuits Against States (1795) – Limits lawsuits against states in federal courts.
12. Election of President and Vice President (1804) – Revises electoral process; separate votes for president and vice president.
13. Abolition of Slavery (1865) – Abolishes slavery and involuntary servitude.
14. Equal Protection and Citizenship (1868) – Grants citizenship to all born or naturalized in the U.S.; guarantees equal protection under the law.
15. Voting Rights for All Races (1870) – Prohibits denial of voting based on race, color, or previous servitude.
16. Federal Income Tax (1913) – Authorizes Congress to impose an income tax.
17. Direct Election of Senators (1913) – Senators elected directly by the people instead of state legislatures.
18. Prohibition of Alcohol (1919) – Bans the manufacture, sale, and transport of alcohol (repealed by 21st Amendment).
19. Women’s Suffrage (1920) – Grants women the right to vote.
20. Presidential Terms and Sessions of Congress (1933) – Sets dates for terms to begin/end; known as the “Lame Duck Amendment.”
21. Repeal of Prohibition (1933) – Repeals the 18th Amendment.
22. Presidential Term Limits (1951) – Limits the president to two terms.
23. Voting in Washington, D.C. (1961) – Grants D.C. residents the right to vote in presidential elections.
24. Abolition of Poll Taxes (1964) – Prohibits poll taxes in federal elections.
25. Presidential Succession and Disability (1967) – Clarifies procedures for presidential succession and inability.
26. Voting Age Lowered to 18 (1971) – Lowers the voting age from 21 to 18.
27. Congressional Pay (1992) – Prevents any pay raise for Congress from taking effect until after the next election.