The Public Debt
Sec. 4. The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void.
Sec. 5. Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.
- [Declared adopted by concurrent resolution of Congress July 21, 1868.]
ARTICLE XV
RIGHT OF SUFFRAGE
Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States, or by any State, on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
Sec. 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
- [Proclaimed March 30, 1870.]
ARTICLE XVI
THE INCOME TAX
The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.
- [Proclaimed February 25, 1913.]
