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The Twenty-seventh Amendment to the United States Constitution

The Twenty-seventh Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1992, addresses the compensation of Congress members, ensuring any salary changes don't take effect until after the next House election. This amendment, originally proposed in 1789, lay dormant for over two centuries until a student-led campaign revived it, leading to its ratification and setting a record for the longest amendment ratification process in U.S. history. Its purpose is to maintain legislative accountability by allowing the electorate to have a say in congressional pay adjustments.

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1

Changes to ______ and ______ salaries take effect only after a House of Representatives election.

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senators representatives

2

The amendment aimed to prevent ______ from immediate salary increases without ______.

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lawmakers electoral accountability

3

Originally proposed in ______, the amendment's ratification took over two centuries, a record in ______ history.

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1789 U.S.

4

Original Proposal Date of the Twenty-seventh Amendment

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Proposed on September 25, 1789, by the First Congress.

5

Initial Amendments Suite Size

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Part of a suite of twelve amendments proposed.

6

Resurgence Catalyst for the Twenty-seventh Amendment

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University student's research sparked renewed interest.

7

The revival of the ______ Amendment's ratification process is attributed to ______, a student from the University of Texas at Austin.

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Twenty-seventh Gregory Watson

8

Gregory Watson's efforts led to the ratification of the ______ Amendment on ______, after more than 202 years, breaking the record for the longest ratification period.

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Twenty-seventh May 7, 1992

9

The previous record for the longest ratification period was held by the ______ Amendment before it was surpassed by the Twenty-seventh Amendment.

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Twenty-second

10

Twenty-seventh Amendment: Conflict of Interest Prevention

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Delays congressional pay changes until after elections to prevent self-serving salary increases.

11

Voter Influence on Congressional Pay

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Amendment allows electorate to react to pay adjustments, potentially voting out proponents of excessive raises.

12

Effectiveness Debate of the Twenty-seventh Amendment

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While aiming to ensure accountability, its actual impact on legislator conduct and lawmaking is contested.

13

The principle of the ______ Amendment ensures that any changes to ______ must be sanctioned by voters.

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Twenty-seventh Congressional salaries

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The Twenty-seventh Amendment to the United States Constitution

The Twenty-seventh Amendment, ratified in 1992, is a pivotal component of the United States Constitution that governs the compensation of members of Congress. This amendment ensures that any alteration to the salaries of senators and representatives does not take effect until after the next election of the House of Representatives. This delay is intended to prevent lawmakers from granting themselves immediate pay raises without electoral accountability. Although it was one of the original amendments proposed in 1789, it was not ratified until over two centuries later, making it the most protracted ratification process in U.S. history.
Sharpened quill pen on ancient parchment, iridescent blue-green shades, on wooden desk with blurred brass candlestick.

Historical Context and Ratification Process

The Twenty-seventh Amendment's path to ratification is unparalleled in U.S. history. Proposed by the First Congress on September 25, 1789, as part of a suite of twelve amendments, it was not immediately ratified like the ten that became the Bill of Rights. The first two amendments, including what would become the Twenty-seventh, did not secure the necessary state approvals at the time. The amendment lay dormant until the late 20th century when a resurgence of interest, sparked by a university student's research, led to a nationwide campaign for its ratification.

Revival and Ratification by a New Generation

The resurgence of interest in the Twenty-seventh Amendment is credited to Gregory Watson, a University of Texas at Austin student, who in 1982 recognized that the amendment could still be ratified. Motivated by the lukewarm reception to his college paper on the subject, Watson initiated a grassroots campaign to complete its ratification. His persistence culminated in success when the amendment was ratified on May 7, 1992, after a record-setting ratification period of over 202 years, far surpassing the previous record held by the Twenty-second Amendment.

Purpose and Implications of the Amendment

The Twenty-seventh Amendment aims to prevent conflicts of interest in the legislative branch by postponing congressional pay adjustments until after an election. This mechanism allows voters to respond to salary changes through the electoral process, potentially voting out those who support what is perceived as unwarranted compensation increases. While the amendment's effectiveness in influencing congressional behavior or the legislative process is debated, its intent is to ensure that elected officials remain answerable to their constituents regarding their pay.

The Text of the Twenty-seventh Amendment

The text of the Twenty-seventh Amendment is succinct, stating: "No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened." This clause embodies the principle that any salary changes for Congress must be approved by the electorate, reinforcing the accountability of representatives to the citizens they represent. The amendment's incorporation into the Constitution underscores the enduring nature of America's founding principles and the capacity of its citizens to drive change through determination and civic participation.