Lectures in History: Andrew Johnson & the 14th Amendment | C-SPAN

This is an excellent historical perspective on the 14th Amendment to the U.S .Constitution. Professor Ross describes it as Congress' peace treaty to the South. That is quite accurate. He also notes that it only came about because of a fun...damental conflict between President Johnson and Congress over how to handle reconstruction.

Lectures in History: Andrew Johnson & the 14th Amendment | C-SPAN 

The Fourteenth Amendment

The Text of the Fourteenth Amendment

House Speaker Rules

Although nothing unexpected occurred today in the election for Speaker of the House of Representatives, I did learn that apparently you don't have to be a member of the house to be elected Speaker.  It has never happened before and is very unlikely in the future, but the rules do not preclude it.

http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/house/275419-boehner-re-elected-speaker-with-some-gop-defections