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The 27th Amendment: Ensuring Fair Congressional Compensation

The 27th Amendment, initially proposed in 1789, aims to prevent immediate changes in Congressional compensation until after a House election. Designed for fair pay and accountability, it requires intervention from voters. Ratified in 1992, it highlights the power of citizen involvement in the constitutional process.

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The 27th Amendment: Ensuring Fair Congressional Compensation

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  1. Amendment 27 Mr. Gorham

  2. Text • No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened.

  3. Proposal • Originally the second article of the Bill of Rights • Proposed September 25, 1789 • Amends Article 1 Section 6 • "The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States." • Designed to allow voters to retaliate for unjust pay increases.

  4. Purpose • Confederation representatives paid by states • Not always on time • Originally demanded by Anti-Federalists • Too much power for Congress

  5. Ratification • Rejected by five of the 13 states (1789) • No expiration date • Ohio 1873 • After a 50% congressional pay increase • Wyoming 1978 • Another pay increase

  6. Ratification • Gregory Watson • University of Texas Student • Researched the Amendment (1982) • Began a campaign for ratification • 38 states ratified by 1992 • Michigan #38 • Watson got a “C” on his paper

  7. Gregory Watson in 2002 as an aide to a Texas Legislator

  8. Repeal? • Taxes may be higher. • Congressional pay more controversial.

  9. What is the purpose of the 27th amendment? • Grant freedom of speech. • Regulate congressional pay • Establish election times for Congress • Create presidential succession

  10. When was the 27th Amendment Proposed?

  11. When was the 27th Amendment ratified?

  12. How many states are currently required to ratify an amendment?

  13. Who paid Confederation representatives?

  14. What grade did Watson receive on his research paper in 1982?

  15. Which state was the 38th to ratify the 27th Amendment?

  16. Sources • http://www.usconstitution.net/constamnotes.html#Am27 • http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2254/whats-up-with-the-27th-amendment-to-the-u-s-constitution • http://www.post-gazette.com/nation/20021127amendment_27p9.asp

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