Content is user-generated and unverified.

U.S. Constitution: Original Text vs. Simplified Version

Preamble

Original Text	Simplified Version
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, 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.	We, the people of the United States, create this Constitution to build a better country, ensure fairness, keep peace at home, protect our nation, help everyone prosper, and preserve freedom for ourselves and future generations.

Article I - Legislative Branch

Section 1

Original Text	Simplified Version
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.	All lawmaking power goes to Congress, which has two parts: the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Section 2 - House of Representatives

Original Text	Simplified Version
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.	The House of Representatives is made up of members elected every two years by the people of each state. Voters must meet the same requirements as voters for their state's largest legislative body.
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.	To be a Representative, you must be at least 25 years old, a U.S. citizen for at least 7 years, and live in the state you represent.
Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers...	Each state gets Representatives based on its population. [Originally included the Three-Fifths Compromise, counting enslaved people as 3/5 of a person for representation and taxation. This was eliminated by the 13th and 14th Amendments.]
The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.	The House chooses its own Speaker and officers, and only the House can impeach federal officials.

Section 3 - Senate

Original Text	Simplified Version
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.	The Senate has two Senators from each state, chosen by state legislatures for six-year terms. [Changed by the 17th Amendment (1913) to direct election by the people.]
No Person shall be a Senator who 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 chosen.	To be a Senator, you must be at least 30 years old, a U.S. citizen for at least 9 years, and live in the state you represent.
The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.	The Vice President leads the Senate but can only vote to break ties.
The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments.	Only the Senate can try impeachment cases and decide whether to remove officials from office.

Section 4 - Elections and Meetings

Original Text	Simplified Version
The 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.	States decide how to run congressional elections, but Congress can change these rules (except where Senate elections are held).
The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year, and such Meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by Law appoint a different Day.	Congress must meet at least once a year, on the first Monday in December. [Changed by the 20th Amendment (1933) to January 3rd to reduce the "lame duck" period.]

Section 5 - Rules and Procedures

Original Text	Simplified Version
Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members, and a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller Number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner, and under such Penalties as each House may provide.	Each house of Congress decides if its members are properly elected and qualified. A majority must be present to conduct business, but fewer can adjourn and force absent members to attend.
Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member.	Each house makes its own rules, can punish misbehaving members, and can kick out a member with a two-thirds vote.
Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, without the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other Place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.	When Congress is in session, neither house can adjourn for more than three days or move locations without the other's permission.

Section 6 - Compensation and Privileges

Original Text	Simplified Version
The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.	Congress members get paid by the federal government. They can't be arrested while Congress is meeting (except for serious crimes) and can't be prosecuted for speeches or debates in Congress.
No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States, which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been encreased during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office.	Congress members can't take federal jobs that were created or got pay raises while they were in office, and federal officials can't serve in Congress at the same time.

Original Text

Simplified Version

The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.

Congress members get paid by the federal government. They can't be arrested while Congress is meeting (except for serious crimes) and can't be prosecuted for speeches or debates in Congress.

No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States, which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been encreased during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office.

Congress members can't take federal jobs that were created or got pay raises while they were in office, and federal officials can't serve in Congress at the same time.

Section 7 - Revenue Bills and Legislative Process

Original Text	Simplified Version
All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.	All tax bills must start in the House, but the Senate can suggest changes like with other bills.
Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become 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...	After both houses pass a bill, it goes to the President. If the President signs it, it becomes law. If not, it goes back to Congress with objections, and Congress can override the veto with a two-thirds vote in both houses.

Section 8 - Powers of Congress

Original Text	Simplified Version
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;	Congress can collect taxes to pay debts and provide for defense and general welfare, but taxes must be the same in all states.
To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;	Congress can borrow money for the country.
To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;	Congress controls trade with other countries, between states, and with Native American tribes.
To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;	Congress sets the rules for becoming a citizen and for bankruptcy laws.
To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;	Congress creates money, sets its value, and establishes standard weights and measures.
To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;	Congress can punish people who make fake money or securities.
To establish Post Offices and post Roads;	Congress can create post offices and postal roads.
To 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;	Congress can give authors and inventors temporary exclusive rights to their work (copyrights and patents).
To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;	Congress can create federal courts below the Supreme Court.
To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations;	Congress can define and punish crimes on the ocean and violations of international law.
To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;	Congress can declare war and make rules about warfare and capturing enemies.
To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;	Congress can create and fund armies, but military funding can only be approved for two years at a time.
To provide and maintain a Navy;	Congress can create and maintain a navy.
To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;	Congress makes rules for governing the military.
To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;	Congress can call up state militias to enforce laws, stop rebellions, and repel invasions.
To 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;	Congress organizes and sets standards for state militias, but states appoint officers and handle training.
To 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...	Congress has complete control over the federal district (Washington D.C.) and federal property.
To 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.	Congress can make any laws necessary to carry out its powers and the powers of the federal government (the "Necessary and Proper Clause").

Section 9 - Limits on Congressional Power

Original Text	Simplified Version
The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the existing States shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a Tax or duty may be imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person.	Congress couldn't ban the importation of enslaved people before 1808, but could tax it up to $10 per person. [This clause protected the slave trade until 1808. Slavery itself was later banned by the 13th Amendment (1865).]
The 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.	People's right to challenge illegal imprisonment can only be suspended during rebellion or invasion.
No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.	Congress can't pass laws that declare someone guilty without trial or make something illegal retroactively.
No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or enumeration herein before directed to be taken.	Direct taxes must be proportional to state populations. [Modified by the 16th Amendment (1913), which allowed Congress to collect income taxes without apportioning them among states by population.]
No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State.	Congress can't tax goods being exported from states.
No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce or Revenue to the Ports of one State over those of another...	Congress can't favor one state's ports over another's in trade regulations.
No 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.	Money can only be spent if Congress approves it, and the government must publish financial records.
No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no 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.	The U.S. doesn't create nobles, and federal officials can't accept gifts or titles from foreign governments without Congress's permission.

Section 10 - Limits on State Power

Original Text	Simplified Version
No 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.	States can't make treaties, create money, declare people guilty without trial, make retroactive laws, break contracts, or create nobles.
No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing it's inspection Laws...	States can't tax imports or exports without Congress's permission, except small fees for inspections.
No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.	States can't tax ships, keep armies in peacetime, make agreements with other states or foreign countries, or go to war without Congress's permission (unless invaded).

Article II - Executive Branch

Section 1 - The President

Original Text	Simplified Version
The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the same Term, be elected, as follows:	Executive power belongs to the President, who serves four-year terms along with the Vice President.
Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress...	Each state gets electoral votes equal to its total number of Senators and Representatives. [The original Electoral College system had electors vote for two people, with the runner-up becoming Vice President. This was changed by the 12th Amendment (1804) to separate votes for President and Vice President.]
No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.	To be President, you must be a natural-born citizen (or citizen when the Constitution was adopted), at least 35 years old, and have lived in the U.S. for 14 years.
Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:—"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."	The President must take an oath to faithfully execute the office and protect the Constitution.

Section 2 - Presidential Powers

Original Text	Simplified Version
The 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...	The President is the top military commander of all U.S. forces.
He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he 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...	The President can make treaties (with Senate approval by 2/3 vote) and appoint judges, ambassadors, and other officials (with Senate confirmation).
The 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.	The President can temporarily fill positions when the Senate isn't in session.

Section 3 - Presidential Duties

Original Text	Simplified Version
He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient...	The President must regularly update Congress on the country's condition and suggest new laws.
He shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the Officers of the United States.	The President must ensure laws are carried out and officially appoint federal officers.

Section 4 - Removal from Office

Original Text	Simplified Version
The 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.	The President, Vice President, and other federal officials can be removed from office if impeached and convicted of serious crimes.

Article III - Judicial Branch

Section 1 - Federal Courts

Original Text	Simplified Version
The 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. The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour, and shall, at stated Times, receive a Compensation, which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office.	Judicial power belongs to the Supreme Court and lower federal courts that Congress creates. Judges serve for life (during good behavior) and their pay can't be reduced while in office.

Section 2 - Judicial Powers and Jurisdiction

Original Text	Simplified Version
The 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...	Federal courts handle cases involving the Constitution, federal laws, treaties, disputes between states, and other specific matters.
In 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. In all the other Cases before mentioned, the supreme Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction...	The Supreme Court directly handles cases involving foreign diplomats and states, and can review decisions from lower courts.
The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment, shall be by Jury; and such Trial shall be held in the State where the said Crimes shall have been committed...	All criminal trials (except impeachment) must have juries and be held in the state where the crime occurred.

Section 3 - Treason

Original Text	Simplified Version
Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.	Treason means making war against the U.S. or helping enemies. Conviction requires two witnesses to the same act or confession in court.
The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted.	Congress sets punishment for treason, but the traitor's family can't be punished or lose property permanently.

Article IV - Relations Between States

Section 1 - Full Faith and Credit

Original Text	Simplified Version
Full 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.	Each state must respect the laws, records, and court decisions of other states.

Section 2 - Interstate Relations

Original Text	Simplified Version
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.	Citizens have the same basic rights in all states.
A Person charged in any State with Treason, Felony, or other Crime, who shall flee from Justice, and be found in another State, shall on Demand of the executive Authority of the State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the State having Jurisdiction of the Crime.	States must return fugitives to the state where they committed crimes.
No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, under the Laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in Consequence of any Law or Regulation therein, be discharged from such Service or Labour, but shall be delivered up on Claim of the Party to whom such Service or Labour may be due.	Enslaved people who escaped to other states had to be returned to their owners (the Fugitive Slave Clause). [This provision was effectively nullified by the 13th Amendment (1865), which abolished slavery.]

Section 3 - New States and Territories

Original Text	Simplified Version
New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new State shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State... without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress.	Congress can admit new states, but can't create states within existing states without permission from those states and Congress.
The 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...	Congress controls federal territories and property.

Section 4 - Guarantees to States

Original Text	Simplified Version
The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened), against domestic Violence.	The federal government guarantees each state will have a republican government and protects states from invasion and internal violence (when requested).

Article V - Amending the Constitution

Original Text	Simplified Version
The 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...	The Constitution can be amended if 2/3 of both houses of Congress or 2/3 of state legislatures propose changes, and 3/4 of states ratify them.

Original Text

Simplified Version

The 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...

The Constitution can be amended if 2/3 of both houses of Congress or 2/3 of state legislatures propose changes, and 3/4 of states ratify them.

Article VI - Federal Supremacy

Original Text	Simplified Version
All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this Constitution, as under the Confederation.	Debts from before the Constitution still have to be paid.
This 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.	The Constitution, federal laws, and treaties are the highest law of the land, superior to state laws.
The 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; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.	All government officials must swear to support the Constitution, but there can be no religious requirements for federal office.

Article VII - Ratification

Original Text	Simplified Version
The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same.	The Constitution takes effect when nine states ratify it.

Content is user-generated and unverified.