Article IV · Section 3 of 4
New states and federal land
Article IV: The states
The one-line version
Congress admits new states and makes rules for federal land and territories.
Section 3 in plain English
Congress can admit new states. A new state cannot be made from part of an existing state, or by joining states, without the consent of those states' legislatures and Congress.
Congress makes the rules for U.S. territories and other federal property.
Original text, 1788
New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new State shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by the Junction of two or more States, or Parts of States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress.
The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or of any particular State.