The 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.
The Meaning
Amendment XXVII prevents members of Congress from granting themselves pay raises during the current session. Rather, any raises that are adopted must take effect during the next session of Congress. Proponents of the amendment believed that legislators are more likely to be cautious about increasing congressional pay if they have no personal stake in the vote. The amendment was introduced in Congress in 1789 by James Madison and sent to the states for ratification at that time.
It was not until 1992 however, after public displeasure with repeated congressional pay increases, that the required three-quarters of the states ratified the measure. Unlike several other recent amendments, which contained a seven-year time limit for ratification by the states (see for example Amendments XX and XXI) Madison’s proposed amendment contained no time limit for ratification.
As an expert in constitutional law and history, my comprehensive understanding of the United States Constitution allows me to provide an in-depth analysis of the concepts presented in "The Annenberg Guide to the United States Constitution." My expertise is grounded in a thorough knowledge of the historical context, legal intricacies, and the evolution of constitutional amendments.
Let's delve into the content of the article and dissect the key concepts:
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Text of Amendment XXVII:
- The article references the actual text of Amendment XXVII, which addresses the issue of varying compensation for Senators and Representatives.
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Meaning of Amendment XXVII:
- Amendment XXVII prevents members of Congress from granting themselves pay raises during the current session.
- Raises, if adopted, must take effect during the next session of Congress.
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Historical Context and Proponents:
- The amendment was introduced in Congress in 1789 by James Madison.
- Proponents believed that legislators would exercise greater caution in increasing congressional pay if they had no personal stake in the vote.
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Timeline of Ratification:
- Although introduced in 1789, the amendment faced a lengthy ratification process.
- It wasn't until 1992 that the required three-quarters of the states ratified the measure.
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Public Displeasure and Ratification:
- The article mentions public displeasure with repeated congressional pay increases as a factor leading to the ratification of the amendment.
- Notably, unlike several other amendments, Madison's proposed amendment contained no time limit for ratification.
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Comparison with Other Amendments:
- Unlike some recent amendments with a seven-year time limit for ratification, Amendment XXVII did not have such restrictions (e.g., Amendments XX and XXI).
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Role of States in Ratification:
- The article highlights that the amendment was sent to the states for ratification after its introduction in 1789.
- Understanding the role of states in the ratification process is crucial to comprehending the constitutional amendment process.
In conclusion, my expertise in constitutional law allows me to thoroughly grasp and explain the intricacies of Amendment XXVII, providing a nuanced understanding of the historical, legal, and political dimensions involved in its formulation and ratification.
