U.S. Constitution · Amendment XIV, Section 4 · ratified 1868-07-09
Public Debt Clause
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Also known as: Public Debt Clause
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The text
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.
National Archives transcription (public domain; original spelling and capitalization). archives.gov
SI explainer
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Leading Supreme Court cases
- Perry v. United States, 294 U.S. 330 (1935)
Cited in the VFA record
“Where this provision is cited”
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Cite this page
Values for America Constitution Explorer, https://www.valuesforamerica.com/constitution (text: National Archives transcription, public domain), Amendment XIV, Section 4, https://www.valuesforamerica.com/constitution/amendment-14/section-4
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