What is the Bill of Attainder?

The Bill of Attainder refers to a legislative act that singles out an individual or group for punishment without a trial. This practice contradicts the principles of due process and the right to a fair trial, which are foundational elements of the justice system in the United States. The U.S. Constitution explicitly prohibits Bills of Attainder in Article I, Section 9, asserting the importance of judicial process and protecting individuals from arbitrary legislative actions.

In contrast, the other options describe different legal concepts: one involves the naturalization process for granting citizenship, another pertains to the power of Congress to regulate interstate commerce under Article I, Section 8, and the last refers to various amendments that ensure the protection of individual rights. These concepts are unrelated to the notion of punishing individuals without a trial, which is precisely what makes the definition of a Bill of Attainder distinct and significant in constitutional law.