The Twenty-Seventh Amendment is a rule about congressional pay and democratic accountability. It says that if Congress votes to change the salary of its members, the change cannot take effect until after the next election for the House of Representatives. This matters because voters get a chance to approve or punish lawmakers before the pay change begins.
The amendment helps limit conflicts of interest by making representatives face the public before benefiting from their own decision.
The amendment has one of the most unusual stories in U.S. constitutional history. It was first proposed in 1789 as part of the original group of amendments considered with the Bill of Rights, but it was not ratified until 1992. Its long path shows that an amendment can remain pending for a very long time if Congress does not set a deadline.
The central idea is simple: Congress may vote on pay, but the people must have an election before that decision takes effect.
Key Facts
- The Twenty-Seventh Amendment says congressional compensation changes cannot take effect until after an election of representatives.
- Core rule: Pay change approved now + House election occurs = pay change may take effect afterward.
- It applies to salary changes for members of Congress, including senators and representatives.
- The amendment was proposed by Congress in 1789 and ratified in 1992.
- Ratification time: 1992 - 1789 = 203 years.
- Constitutional amendments generally require approval by 3/4 of the states to be ratified.
Vocabulary
- Twenty-Seventh Amendment
- The constitutional amendment that delays changes in congressional pay until after an election for the House of Representatives.
- Ratification
- The formal approval process by which states accept a proposed constitutional amendment.
- Compensation
- Payment or salary given to officials for their service.
- Congress
- The national lawmaking body of the United States, made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
- Accountability
- The principle that public officials should answer to the people for their actions and decisions.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Thinking the amendment bans congressional pay raises, which is wrong because it only delays when pay changes can take effect.
- Forgetting that the required election is for the House of Representatives, which is wrong because the amendment specifically refers to an election of representatives.
- Assuming the amendment was part of the Bill of Rights in 1791, which is wrong because it was proposed in 1789 but not ratified until 1992.
- Believing Congress alone can add an amendment to the Constitution, which is wrong because ratification by the states is also required.
Practice Questions
- 1 Congress votes for a salary increase in March 2025. The next House election is in November 2026. What is the earliest year the pay increase could take effect under the Twenty-Seventh Amendment?
- 2 The amendment was proposed in 1789 and ratified in 1992. How many years passed between proposal and ratification?
- 3 Explain why delaying congressional pay changes until after an election can make lawmakers more accountable to voters.