XIII

Thirteenth Amendment

Passed by Congress: January 31, 1865

Ratified: December 6, 1865

Text

Section 1. "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction."

Section 2. "Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation."

Plain English

Abolishes slavery and allows Congress to enforce that ban.