The Rest of the Amendments

The Bill of Rights was ratified on Dec. 15, 1791, effectively completing the U.S. Constitution. These Amendments limited the power of the federal government to govern “We the People.”

On May 7, 1992 the 11^th Amendment was ratified giving states immunity from lawsuits from out-of-state citizens and foreigners. The 27^th and perhaps the most recent Amendment, regulating Congressional salaries, was proposed on Sept. 25, 1789 and ratified 202 years, 7 months and 12 days later on May 7, 1992.

Eight of the last 17 Amendments address voting issues, making voting the most popular topic. Amendments #13, #14 and #15 are commonly referred to as the “slave Amendments,” dramatically changing the landscape of America following the Civil War.

Here’s a list of the last 17 Amendments:

#11 Limits lawsuits against the states

#12 Separates the Electoral College voting for President and VP

#13 Abolishes slavery

#14 Defines citizenship, due process and equal protection

#15 Prohibits racial discrimination in voting

#16 Establishes the federal income tax

#17 Establishes the direct election of senators by popular vote.

#18 Establishes Prohibition; #21 repeals Prohibition.

#19 Women get the right to vote

#20 Changes the dates on which the terms of the President, vice-president and members of Congress begin and end

#22 Establishes term limits for a president

#23 Adds the District of Columbia to the Electoral College

#24 Prohibits poll tax

#25 Establishes presidential succession

#26 Gives 18-year-olds the right to vote

#27 Regulates the effective date of Congression salary increases.

In closing, here are a couple of personal observations about our Constitution. The most important vote you will always cast is your choice of representative in Congress and the 17^th Amendment significantly weakened our state’s sovereignty.

But those are discussions for another day.