Wednesday, December 7, 2016

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.

The 27th and last Amendment states that if there is a change in salary of Congress, it shall take effect in the next term of Congress. 

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This image is showing a Congressman taking home a pile of money. Many people think that Congressman make too much money and think they get too large pay raises as well.


This video explains how the 27th Amendment works, especially how they can't receive their pay raise until the next term. So they have to make sure the are re-elected and have to show the people they are worth getting a pay raise so that they are re-elected.

Amendment XXVI

Section 1.

The right of citizens of the United States, who are 18 years of age or older, to vote, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any state on account of age.

Section 2.

The Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

The 26th Amendment sets the age limit on who can vote. This age is set at 18, which is considered the age one becomes an "adult". 

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This image shows a picture of most of the things one can start doing at the age of 18. The most important on this list would be voting. 
This video shows the timeline of voting up to this Amendment. How America went from only white males to be able to vote to those over 18 being allowed to vote in 1970.

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.

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.

The 25th Amendment is very long and extensive, but basically explains what happens when or if the President resigns or there is a death. 

This video gives us a background of the 25th Amendment, she also states that it happened a few years after the death of President Kennedy, which some think is a result of this Amendment.


This video reenacts what happens if the President dies. They also do a decent job of showing what happens after that and who makes what decisions. 

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 any poll tax or other tax.

Section 2.

The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

The 24th Amendment eliminated any poll tax or tax a citizen had to pay in order to vote. This Amendment started in the South and directed towards black people to make them pay to register to vote. 

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This picture shows a poll tax receipt that was paid in order to vote. 

This video explains the beginning of the poll tax and why it was created then leads in to why it was abolished. 

Amendment XXIII

Section 1.

The District constituting the seat of government of the United States shall appoint in such manner as the 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.

In the 23rd Amendment, it explains how Congress is appointed as well as the power Congress has and allows Washington D.C. to vote. 

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This picture represents Amendment 23 by showing that Washington D.C. is allowed to vote and D.C. is allowed Presidential electors. 
This video explains the 23rd Amendment and how it began. At first, people in D.C. could not vote because Washington D.C. was not considered a state. 



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 the President more than once. But this article shall not apply to any person holding the office of President when this article was proposed by the Congress, and shall not prevent any person who may be holding the office of President, or acting as President, during the term within which this article becomes operative from holding the office of President or acting as President during the remainder of such term.
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.

The 22nd Amendment states the terms of the presidency. As most know, a President can serve a maximum of two terms, each term is four years long, unless there is a death or impeachment. 

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This picture shows a pin from the 1940 Presidential Election in which Roosevelt was re-elected to his third term, the only President to do so. But now with the 22nd Amendment, no President is now allowed more than two terms. 
This video goes through the unwritten constitution on the two terms unwritten rule. Also, explains why Roosevelt was elected to four different terms as well as the reason behind the 22nd Amendment. 

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.

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.

The 21st Amendment was one that repealed the 18th Amendment. This Amendment allowed alcohol now legal to use, make and transport.
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This picture shows many people toasting, which happens usually at a special event or when something of significance happens. In this case, these people are toasting to the end of the 18th Amendment. 
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This picture is also showing a reaction to the repeal of the 18th Amendment. "Good old days are back again!" is stating that the days before the 18th Amendment are back, the days when alcohol was legal.