Thirteenth Amendment

Question 1

Thirteenth Amendment

Answer 1

The Thirteenth Amendment simply provides that neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall exist within the United States and gives Congress the power to adopt appropriate legislation to enforce the proscription. Since the amendment is not limited to proscribing state action, Congress may adopt legislation regulating private parties. Under the amendment, the Supreme Court has allowed Congress to prohibit any private conduct that Congress deems to be a “badge” or “incident” of slavery, and has upheld statutes regulating private contracts.