Amendment 27

Mr. Gorham

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.

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.

Purpose

• Confederation representatives paid by states– Not always on time

• Originally demanded by Anti-Federalists– Too much power for Congress

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

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

Gregory Watson in 2002 as an aide to a Texas Legislator

Repeal?

• Taxes may be higher.

• Congressional pay more controversial.

What is the purpose of the 27th amendment?

a) Grant freedom of speech.

b) Regulate congressional pay

c) Establish election times for Congress

d) Create presidential succession

When was the 27th Amendment Proposed?

When was the 27th Amendment ratified?

How many states are currently required to ratify an amendment?

Who paid Confederation representatives?

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

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

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.as

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