Amendment XXII
585
Twentieth Amendment was the democratic problem of having defeated
members of Congress, accountable to no one, representing their constituents for almost half a year.
An obvious question is why the Amendment was necessary since the
original date of March 4 was set by statute. The answer is that the changes
to January 3 and January 20 shortened the terms of those in office, and
these changes would therefore have been unconstitutional if accomplished
through the legislative rather than the amendment process.
Congress has fulfilled its obligations under Section 3 of the Twentieth
Amendment by enacting legislation from time to time dealing with presidential succession. The Presidential Succession Act of 1947, for example,
deals with the problem that would arise if both the President and Vice
President died or were otherwise unable to qualify for office on or before
January 20.
k . a m e n d m e n t x x i (1933)
section 1. The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the
United States is hereby repealed.
section 2. The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors,
in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.
section 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as
an amendment to the Constitution by conventions in the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission
hereof to the States by the Congress.
This Amendment simply repeals the Eighteenth Amendment and restores to the States the power to regulate the manufacture, sale, and consumption of alcoholic beverages. State regulations may nevertheless be
set aside by Congress under its commerce power or if they violate the
Export-Import Clause.
l . a m e n d m e n t x x i i (1951)
section 1. No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than
twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President,