What is the 14th Amendment also known as?
Asked by: Mrs. Keara Blick PhD | Last update: January 26, 2026Score: 4.3/5 (62 votes)
The 14th Amendment is often known as a Reconstruction Amendment, as it was part of the post-Civil War effort to grant rights to formerly enslaved people, but its key clauses also make it known for citizenship rights, due process, and equal protection of the laws, fundamentally changing the relationship between state and federal government regarding civil rights.
What is another name for the 14th Amendment?
The most commonly used -- and frequently litigated -- phrase in the amendment is "equal protection of the laws", which figures prominently in a wide variety of landmark cases, including Brown v. Board of Education (racial discrimination), Roe v. Wade (reproductive rights), Bush v.
Which Amendment gives the right to overthrow the government?
“From the floor of the House of Representatives to Truth Social, my GOP colleagues routinely assert that the Second Amendment is about 'the ability to maintain an armed rebellion against the government if that becomes necessary,' that it was 'designed purposefully to empower the people to be able to resist the force of ...
Can the president and vice president be from the same state?
The Electors shall meet in their respective states and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President, ...
What does the 14th Amendment say in simple terms?
The 14th Amendment simplifies to guaranteeing citizenship and equal rights for everyone born or naturalized in the U.S., ensuring states can't deny anyone "life, liberty, or property" without fair legal procedures (Due Process) or deny anyone Equal Protection of the Laws, essentially extending federal rights to the states. It's a cornerstone for civil rights, making sure states treat all people fairly.
The 14th Amendment Explained: US Government Review
What is controversial about the 14th Amendment?
The 14th Amendment is controversial due to debates over birthright citizenship (especially regarding undocumented immigrants), its application to evolving rights (like LGBTQ+ and reproductive rights), its historical role in the women's suffrage movement, and legal battles over congressional power to enforce it (Section 5), with ongoing disputes about its broad language extending constitutional protections to states and defining who is a citizen.
Who is not protected by the 14th Amendment?
Not only did the 14th Amendment fail to extend the Bill of Rights to the states; it also failed to protect the rights of Black citizens. A legacy of Reconstruction was the determined struggle of Black and White citizens to make the promise of the 14th Amendment a reality.
Which amendment prevents the President and vice president from being inhabitants of the same state?
The Twelfth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prevents the President and Vice President from being inhabitants of the same state by requiring electors to cast separate ballots for each office, with at least one candidate not being from the elector's state, though the common practice of presidential tickets usually ensures geographic diversity anyway.
What is the President's salary?
The U.S. President receives a $400,000 annual salary, a rate set in 2001, plus a $50,000 expense account for official duties, a $100,000 non-taxable travel account, and $19,000 for entertainment, along with perks like housing, healthcare, and security, though some presidents donate their salary.
Can the President fire the VP?
The Constitution of the United States gives Congress the authority to remove the vice president of the United States from office in two separate proceedings. The first one takes place in the House of Representatives, which impeaches the vice president by approving articles of impeachment through a simple majority vote.
Who can overthrow the president?
The Constitution gives Congress the authority to impeach and remove "The President, Vice President, and all civil Officers of the United States" upon a determination that such officers have engaged in treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.
What rights are not absolute?
Constitutional rights are not and cannot always be absolute. There are limits to them. For example, a person cannot publish lies that destroy another person's reputation and claim that the right to free speech protects him or her from a lawsuit.
What does the 27th Amendment actually say?
The 27th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution says that no law varying the compensation for Senators and Representatives shall take effect until an election of representatives has intervened, meaning Congress can't give itself a pay raise that takes effect immediately; they have to wait until after the next election, allowing voters to decide if they approve. It was originally proposed in 1789 by James Madison but wasn't ratified until 1992, making it the last ratified amendment, with a long history due to its lack of a time limit for ratification.
Did Republicans pass the 14th Amendment?
Yes, the Republican Party, specifically a Republican majority in a Reconstruction-era Congress, drafted and passed the 14th Amendment in 1866, making it a highly partisan measure intended to secure civil rights for freed slaves and redefine citizenship after the Civil War. The amendment's passage was a major victory for Republicans, establishing rights like citizenship and equal protection under the law, though its ratification was controversial and required former Confederate states to accept it to regain representation in Congress.
What is a nickname for the Constitution?
The nickname for the U.S. Constitution is "Bundle of Compromises." The Chief Draftsmen of the U.S. Constitution is James Madison and Gouverneur Morris.
What year did the Supreme Court overturn the Civil Rights Act?
The Supreme Court declared the law unconstitutional in 1883. In a consolidated case, known as the Civil Rights Cases, the court found that the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution granted Congress the right to regulate the behavior of states, not individuals.
Does the first lady get a salary?
No, the First Lady does not get paid a salary, as the role is unofficial, not an elected or statutory government position, but she receives perks like White House residency, security, and a staff (paid for by taxpayers) to support her duties, which have evolved from purely social to include policy and public engagement. While she earns no direct income for the role, her support staff's salaries are covered, and she may sometimes engage in paid work (like Dr. Jill Biden's teaching) but often don't, as it's seen as a full-time, unpaid "office of honor".
Which President was never actually elected?
The only U.S. President never elected to the presidency or vice presidency was Gerald R. Ford, who became President in 1974 after Richard Nixon's resignation and Spiro Agnew's earlier resignation, assuming office under the 25th Amendment and later losing the 1976 election. While other presidents (Tyler, Fillmore, Johnson, Arthur) also never won a presidential election, Ford uniquely served as President without being elected to either the Presidency or the Vice Presidency.
Do all former presidents get a pension?
According to the FPA, upon leaving office, former Presidents are to receive a pension that is equal to the pay for the head of an executive department (Executive Level I), which was $203,700 in calendar year 2015.
Can the President and vice president be from different parties?
Vice-presidential election
Unlike in the House, senators cast votes individually. In a contingent election, the Senate votes separately from the House, so the president chosen by the House and the vice president chosen by the Senate could be from different parties.
What is the 52 Amendment?
The Anti-Defection law, or the 52nd Amendment to the Indian Constitution is a constitutional amendment limiting the ability of politicians to switch parties in parliament.
What is the difference between the 25th Amendment and the Presidential Succession Act of 1947?
The 25th Amendment, adopted in 1967, also establishes procedures for filling an intra-term vacancy in the office of the vice president. The Presidential Succession Act refers specifically to officers beyond the vice president acting as president rather than becoming president when filling a vacancy.
Why is the 14th Amendment so controversial?
The 14th Amendment is controversial due to its "male" language (angering suffragists), its broad and debated interpretation (especially the Equal Protection Clause), Southern states' resistance during Reconstruction, and ongoing debates about its application to modern issues like abortion and LGBTQ+ rights, with critics arguing it oversteps federal power or has been used to invent rights not intended by the framers, according to this overview by Congress.gov.
Can you be born in the U.S. and not be a citizen?
The Fourteenth Amendment became the basis for landmark Supreme Court rulings over the years addressing birthright citizenship. Most notably, the 1898 ruling in United States v. Wong Kim Ark established the explicit precedent that any person born in the United States is a citizen by birth.
What is a violation of civil rights?
A civil rights violation is when a person's fundamental rights, protected by the U.S. Constitution or federal law, are denied, interfered with, or discriminated against, often based on characteristics like race, gender, religion, disability, or national origin, leading to unequal treatment in areas such as employment, housing, education, or by law enforcement. These violations involve unlawful actions like discrimination, police misconduct (excessive force, wrongful arrest), denial of due process, or suppression of rights like free speech.