U.S. Constitution · Article I, Section 9

Limits on Congress

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Cited in 8 SI Solutions, 47 grades and 1 SI Think Tank idea this month.

302 public items cite this provision or its parts · 56 in October 2026 (last month: 1)

Week of 2026-08-03: 5Week of 2026-08-10: 1Week of 2026-08-17: 2Week of 2026-08-24: 0Week of 2026-08-31: 1Week of 2026-09-07: 0Week of 2026-09-14: 0Week of 2026-09-21: 0Week of 2026-09-28: 5Week of 2026-10-05: 41Week of 2026-10-12: 10Week of 2026-10-19: 0

Citations per week, last 12 weeks

The text

  1. Article I, Section 9, Clause 1 · Migration or Importation Clause

    The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States now existing 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.

  2. Article I, Section 9, Clause 2 · Habeas Corpus Suspension Clause 3 cites

    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.

  3. Article I, Section 9, Clause 3 · Bill of Attainder Clause; Ex Post Facto Clause 5 cites

    No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.

  4. Article I, Section 9, Clause 4 · Direct Tax Clause; Capitation Clause

    No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or enumeration herein before directed to be taken.

  5. Article I, Section 9, Clause 5 · Export Clause

    No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State.

  6. Article I, Section 9, Clause 6 · Port Preference Clause

    No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce or Revenue to the Ports of one State over those of another: nor shall Vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay Duties in another.

  7. Article I, Section 9, Clause 7 · Appropriations Clause; Statement and Account Clause 280 cites

    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.

  8. Article I, Section 9, Clause 8 · Title of Nobility Clause; Foreign Emoluments Clause

    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.

National Archives transcription (public domain; original spelling and capitalization). archives.gov

In the founders’ words

  • “This power over the purse may, in fact, be regarded as the most complete and effectual weapon with which any constitution can arm the immediate representatives of the people, for obtaining a redress of every grievance, and for carrying into effect every just and salutary measure.” James Madison, The Federalist No. 58 (1788-02-20)
  • “Mr. Govr. MORRIS moved that "The privilege of the writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended; unless where in cases of Rebellion or invasion the public safety may require it." Mr. WILSON doubted whether in any case a suspension could be necessary, as the discretion now exists with Judges, in most important cases to keep in Gaol or admit to Bail.” James Madison, Madison's Notes of Debates in the Federal Convention, August 28, 1787 (1787-08-28)
  • “The establishment of the writ of habeas corpus, the prohibition of ex-post-facto laws, and of TITLES OF NOBILITY, TO WHICH WE HAVE NO CORRESPONDING PROVISION IN OUR CONSTITUTION, are perhaps greater securities to liberty and republicanism than any it contains.” Alexander Hamilton, The Federalist No. 84 (1788-05-28)
  • “And it was urged, that if we gave this power to the general government, it would be an engine of oppression in its hands, since whenever a State should oppose its views, however arbitrary and unconstitutional, and refuse submission to them, the general government may declare it to be an act of rebellion, and suspending the habeas corpus act, may seize upon the persons of those advocates of freedom, who have had virtue and resolution enough to excite the opposition, and may imprison them during its pleasure in the remotest part of the union” Luther Martin, Luther Martin, The Genuine Information, published serially Dec. 1787-Feb. 1788 (on habeas corpus) (1787-12-28)
  • “Nothing need be said to illustrate the importance of the prohibition of titles of nobility. This may truly be denominated the corner-stone of republican government; for so long as they are excluded, there can never be serious danger that the government will be any other than that of the people.” Alexander Hamilton, The Federalist No. 84 (1788-05-28)
  • “Bills of attainder, ex-post-facto laws, and laws impairing the obligation of contracts, are contrary to the first principles of the social compact, and to every principle of sound legislation.” James Madison, The Federalist No. 44 (1788-01-25)
  • “First the omission of a bill of rights providing clearly and without the aid of sophisms for freedom of religion, freedom of the press, protection against standing armies, restriction against monopolies, the eternal and unremitting force of the habeas corpus laws, and trials by jury in all matters of fact triable by the laws of the land and not by the law of Nations.” Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, December 20, 1787 (1787-12-20)

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Cite this page

Values for America Constitution Explorer, https://www.valuesforamerica.com/constitution (text: National Archives transcription, public domain), Article I, Section 9, https://www.valuesforamerica.com/constitution/article-1/section-9

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