Which amendment contains the enabling clause prohibiting racially discriminatory action by anyone?

Which amendment contains the enabling clause prohibiting racially discriminatory action by anyone?

• A. 13th Amendment
• B. 12th Amendment
• C. 14th Amendment
• D. 11th Amendment

Answer: (A)

Enabling provisions give Congress power to enforce what an amendment forbids. The 13th Amendment bans slavery and involuntary servitude, and its Section 2 says Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. That makes Congress the vehicle to prevent racially discriminatory acts that amount to slavery or forced labor by anyone, private individuals included, not just state actions. The other amendments address different issues or place enforcement power differently. The 14th Amendment also has an enabling clause, but its primary focus is protecting individuals from state action (due process and equal protection), whereas the 13th directly targets the institution of slavery and its private enforcement, which aligns with prohibiting discriminatory actions by anyone.

Enabling provisions give Congress power to enforce what an amendment forbids. The 13th Amendment bans slavery and involuntary servitude, and its Section 2 says Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. That makes Congress the vehicle to prevent racially discriminatory acts that amount to slavery or forced labor by anyone, private individuals included, not just state actions.

The other amendments address different issues or place enforcement power differently. The 14th Amendment also has an enabling clause, but its primary focus is protecting individuals from state action (due process and equal protection), whereas the 13th directly targets the institution of slavery and its private enforcement, which aligns with prohibiting discriminatory actions by anyone.