Constitution: key clauses

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Library edition words from U.S. Constitution

Commerce, Necessary and Proper, Take Care, Supremacy: 34 clauses of Articles I to VI by their usual names, and the powers of Congress one by one.

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Words from
The Constitution of the United States, S. Doc. 116-3, govinfo.gov. A U.S. government work, free to use.
Edition
The Constitution of the United States, S. Doc. 116-3 (2020 pocket edition)
Checked
Word for word against the source, on 17 October 2026.
How it was made
Each clause’s words as the pocket edition prints them, from the clause’s first word to its last, and Article I, Section 8’s powers one to an element, each without its closing semicolon.A word split across a line is joined, the space the PDF puts before a comma or period is dropped, and the footnotes and their asterisks are left out; the edition’s square brackets around words later changed are kept.The clause names are the Library’s labels; the words under them are the Constitution’s.
Edited by
Aheadso chose the cards and set them out.Every word on them is the source’s.
On the shelf
Law, Constitutional law · 35 cards · 6 topics

The cards

  1. Legislative Vesting Clause (Art. I, § 1)Article IAll legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.
  2. Elections Clause (Art. I, § 4, cl. 1)Article IThe Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of chusing Senators.
  3. Speech or Debate Clause (Art. I, § 6, cl. 1)Article Ifor any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.
  4. Origination Clause (Art. I, § 7, cl. 1)Article IAll Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.
  5. Presentment Clause (Art. I, § 7, cl. 2)Article IEvery Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it becomes a Law, be presented to the President of the United States; If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be determined by yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each House respectively. If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law.
  6. Taxing and Spending Clause (Art. I, § 8, cl. 1)Article IThe Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States
  7. Commerce Clause (Art. I, § 8, cl. 3)Article ITo regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes
  8. Declare War Clause (Art. I, § 8, cl. 11)Article ITo declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water
  9. Necessary and Proper Clause (Art. I, § 8, cl. 18)Article ITo make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States or in any Department or Officer thereof.
  10. Art. I, § 8: The Congress shall have PowerArticle I
    1. 1To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States
    2. 2To borrow Money on the credit of the United States
    3. 3To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes
    4. 4To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States
    5. 5To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures
    6. 6To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States
    7. 7To establish Post Offices and post Roads
    8. 8To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries
    9. 9To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court
    10. 10To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offenses against the Law of Nations
    11. 11To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water
    12. 12To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years
    13. 13To provide and maintain a Navy
    14. 14To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces
    15. 15To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions
    16. 16To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress
    17. 17To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards and other needful Buildings
    18. 18To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States or in any Department or Officer thereof.
  11. Suspension Clause (Art. I, § 9, cl. 2)Article IThe Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.
  12. Bill of Attainder and Ex Post Facto Clause (Art. I, § 9, cl. 3)Article INo Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.
All 35 cards
  1. Appropriations Clause (Art. I, § 9, cl. 7)Article INo Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time.
  2. Foreign Emoluments Clause (Art. I, § 9, cl. 8)Article Ino Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.
  3. Contracts Clause (Art. I, § 10, cl. 1)Article INo State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title of Nobility.
  4. Executive Vesting Clause (Art. II, § 1, cl. 1)Article IIThe executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America.
  5. Commander in Chief Clause (Art. II, § 2, cl. 1)Article IIThe President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States
  6. Pardon Clause (Art. II, § 2, cl. 1)Article IIhe shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.
  7. Treaty Clause (Art. II, § 2, cl. 2)Article IIHe shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur
  8. Appointments Clause (Art. II, § 2, cl. 2)Article IIhe shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.
  9. Recess Appointments Clause (Art. II, § 2, cl. 3)Article IIThe President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session.
  10. Take Care Clause (Art. II, § 3)Article IIhe shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed
  11. Impeachment Clause (Art. II, § 4)Article IIThe President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.
  12. Judicial Vesting Clause (Art. III, § 1)Article IIIThe judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish.
  13. Case or Controversy Clause (Art. III, § 2, cl. 1)Article IIIThe judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and Equity, arising under this Constitution, the Laws of the United States, and Treaties made, or which shall be made, under their Authority;—to all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls;—to all Cases of admiralty and maritime Jurisdiction;—to Controversies to which the United States shall be a Party;—to Controversies between two or more States;—[between a State and Citizens of another State;—] between Citizens of different States,—between Citizens of the same State claiming Lands under Grants of different States, [and between a State, or the Citizens thereof, and foreign States, Citizens or Subjects.]
  14. Original Jurisdiction Clause (Art. III, § 2, cl. 2)Article IIIIn all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State shall be Party, the supreme Court shall have original Jurisdiction.
  15. Exceptions Clause (Art. III, § 2, cl. 2)Article IIIIn all the other Cases before mentioned, the supreme Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions, and under such Regulations as the Congress shall make.
  16. Full Faith and Credit Clause (Art. IV, § 1)Article IVFull Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State; And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.
  17. Privileges and Immunities Clause (Art. IV, § 2, cl. 1)Article IVThe Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.
  18. Property Clause (Art. IV, § 3, cl. 2)Article IVThe Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or of any particular State.
  19. Guarantee Clause (Art. IV, § 4)Article IVThe United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government
  20. Amendment process (Art. V)Article VThe Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of it’s equal Suffrage in the Senate.
  21. Supremacy Clause (Art. VI, cl. 2)Article VIThis Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.
  22. Oath Clause (Art. VI, cl. 3)Article VIThe Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution
  23. No Religious Test Clause (Art. VI, cl. 3)Article VIno religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.

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