U.S. Constitution · Article I, Section 9, Clause 3
Bill of Attainder Clause; Ex Post Facto Clause
Alerts when a new grade, SI Solution or Think Tank idea cites Art. I, § 9, cl. 3.
Also known as: Bill of Attainder Clause · Ex Post Facto Clause
Live in the VFA record
Cited in 4 grades this month.
5 public items cite this provision · 4 in October 2026 (last month: 0)
Citations per week, last 12 weeks
The text
No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.
National Archives transcription (public domain; original spelling and capitalization). archives.gov
SI explainer
An explainer for this provision is in the queue. It appears here once it passes the SI Editorial Standard’s automated checks. The text, founding-era sources and live citations below are complete.
In the founders’ words
- “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)
- “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)
Public-domain primary sources, quoted word for word and checked against the linked text.
Leading Supreme Court cases
- Calder v. Bull, 3 U.S. 386 (1798)
- Ex parte Garland, 71 U.S. 333 (1867)
- United States v. Brown, 381 U.S. 437 (1965)
Cited in the VFA record
“Where this provision is cited”
grades (4)
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Executive Order 14237: Addressing Risks From Paul Weiss
2026-10-14 · Grade F (Direct violation)
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H.R. 3486: Stop Illegal Entry Act of 2025
2026-10-10 · Grade F (Direct violation)
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Executive Order 14246: Addressing Risks From Jenner & Block
2026-10-08 · Grade F (Direct violation)
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Executive Order 14263: Addressing Risks From Susman Godfrey
2026-10-08 · Grade F (Direct violation)
roll-call votes (1)
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House roll call 264 (2025): On Passage on H R 3486
2025-09-11 · Passed · official record
Roll-call votes are listed when the measure voted on has a current Constitution Index grade citing this provision. Counts include only published items.
Cite this page
Values for America Constitution Explorer, https://www.valuesforamerica.com/constitution (text: National Archives transcription, public domain), Article I, Section 9, Clause 3, https://www.valuesforamerica.com/constitution/article-1/section-9/clause-3
Data: this provision as JSON.