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. 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. 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. 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.
representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several states which may be
included within this union, according to their respective numbers, which shall be determined by
adding to the whole number of free persons, including those bound to service for a term of years,
and excluding indians not taxed, three fifths of all other persons.
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. 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 choose 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. when vacancies happen in the representation from any state,
executive authority thereof shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies. the house of
representatives shall choose their speaker and other officers; and shall have the sole power
impeachment. the senate of the united states shall be composed of two senators from each
state, chosen by the legislature thereof, 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. 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 the third class at the expiration of the sixth year, so that one third may
be chosen every second year; and if vacancies happen by resignation, or otherwise, during the
of the legislature of any state, the executive thereof may make temporary appointments until
meeting of the legislature, which shall then fill such vacancies. no person shall be a senator
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 cho.
the vice president of the united states shall be president of
the senate, but shall have no vote, unless they be equally divided.