Eleanor Finch
The United States Constitution has been amended 27 times, with the most recent being the Twenty-seventh Amendment, which was ratified on May 5, 1992. Also known as the Congressional Compensation Act of 1789, this amendment states that any law that increases or decreases the salary of members of Congress can only take effect after the next election of the House of Representatives. It was first proposed in 1789, along with 11 other amendments, but was not ratified by enough states until over 200 years later.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of last amendment | May 5, 1992 |
| Number of amendments | 27 |
| Name of last amendment | Twenty-seventh Amendment (Amendment XXVII) |
| Date proposed | September 25, 1789 |
| Date ratified | December 15, 1791 |
| Subject | Congressional pay |
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What You'll Learn
The Twenty-seventh Amendment
The idea behind this amendment is to reduce corruption in the legislative branch by requiring an election before a congressperson's salary increase takes effect. The public can thus remove members of Congress from office before their salaries increase. It is unclear whether the amendment produced any change in congressional behaviour. The amendment provides that: "No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened."
On May 18, 1992, the Archivist of the United States, Don W. Wilson, certified that the amendment's ratification had been completed. On May 20, 1992, Congress declared the ratification to be legal and the amendment officially became part of the Constitution. As of today, forty-six states have ratified the Twenty-seventh Amendment, while four have not: Massachusetts, Mississippi, New York, and Pennsylvania.
The Evolution of American Constitution Amendments
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The Bill of Rights
The United States Constitution has been amended several times since its inception, with the most recent amendment being the Twenty-seventh Amendment, which was adopted in 1992. However, this amendment was initially proposed in 1789, along with 11 other amendments, which became known as the Bill of Rights.
James Madison, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives at the time, authored the amendments. Madison initially opposed the idea of a bill of rights, arguing that the state bills of rights offered only an illusion of protection against tyranny. However, he later agreed to support adding a bill of rights to secure the ratification of the Constitution. Madison's proposed amendments included protections for individual liberties, such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to bear arms.
The first ten amendments of the Bill of Rights include:
- Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.
- The right of the people to peaceably assemble and petition the government for a redress of grievances.
- The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
- No Soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house without the consent of the owner.
- The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures.
- The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
- The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution are reserved to the states and the people.
The First Amendment: A Historical Addition to the Constitution
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Congress and ratification
The process of ratification involves a principal's legal confirmation of an act of its agent. In the context of the U.S. Constitution, ratification by the states is a crucial step in amending the founding document. The Constitution outlines the process for proposing and ratifying amendments, ensuring a deliberate and consensus-driven approach to any changes.
The U.S. Constitution has been amended 27 times, with the most recent amendment, the Twenty-Seventh Amendment, being ratified in 1992. This amendment addressed congressional compensation, stipulating that any law changing the salary of members of Congress could only take effect after the next election of the House of Representatives. The Twenty-Seventh Amendment was first proposed in 1789, along with 11 other amendments, but it lay dormant for over two centuries as it failed to garner sufficient state ratifications initially.
The process of amending the Constitution begins with a proposal. Amendments can be proposed in two ways: either by a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress or through a national convention called by two-thirds of the state legislatures. This ensures that any potential amendment has broad support from either the representatives in Congress or the states themselves.
Once an amendment is proposed, it must be ratified. Ratification requires the approval of three-quarters of the state legislatures, or 38 out of 50 states in the current context. Congress can specify the method of ratification, and states can ratify by a vote of approval in their legislatures or through state ratifying conventions. This dual process of proposal and ratification ensures that amendments reflect the will of both the people's representatives in Congress and the individual states.
The founding fathers deliberately designed the amendment process to be challenging, safeguarding the stability and longevity of the Constitution. The high bar for ratification, requiring supermajorities in Congress and among the states, ensures that amendments have broad support and are not enacted along partisan lines. This rigorous process has resulted in over 11,000 proposed amendments, but only 27 have successfully become part of the Constitution.
The Constitution's Last Amendments: A Historical Perspective
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The Eighteenth Article
The Eighteenth Amendment played a significant role in shaping the nation's history, particularly during the early 20th century. Its enactment led to a period known as Prohibition, which had a profound impact on society, culture, and the economy. Prohibition was intended to reduce alcohol consumption and address the negative social and health consequences associated with alcohol abuse.
During Prohibition, the production, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages for consumption became illegal nationwide. This meant that bars, saloons, and liquor stores had to close or find alternative sources of income. Many people respected the law, but there was also a significant illegal market for alcohol, often controlled by criminal gangs. This led to an increase in organised crime and associated violence as gangs fought for control of the lucrative black market.
The Eighteenth Amendment also had a notable impact on social and cultural norms. It prompted a shift in social gatherings and entertainment, with a decline in alcohol-centric activities and the emergence of new trends such as speakeasies—illegal establishments that served alcohol clandestinely. The amendment also influenced culinary habits, with a rise in the popularity of mocktails and other non-alcoholic beverages.
The Eighteenth Amendment's legacy is complex and multifaceted. While it achieved its goal of reducing alcohol consumption and addressing the social issues associated with alcohol abuse, it also led to unintended consequences, including the rise of organised crime and the creation of a lucrative black market. The amendment's repeal in 1933 by the Twenty-first Amendment marked a shift in public sentiment and policy, recognising the challenges and limitations of Prohibition.
The First Amendments: Constitutional Drafting History
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Election of Representatives
The US Constitution was last amended by the Twenty-seventh Amendment, also known as the Congressional Compensation Act of 1789. It was passed by a two-thirds vote of both Houses in 1789, but it was not ratified by enough states to come into force until 1992.
The US Constitution outlines the election of representatives in Article I. The House of Representatives is composed of members chosen every second year by the people of the several states. Electors in each state must have the qualifications required for electors of the most numerous branch of the state legislature.
No person shall be a representative who has not attained the age of twenty-five years, been a citizen of the United States for at least seven years, and who is not, when elected, an inhabitant of the state in which they are chosen. Representatives must be apportioned among the several states according to their respective numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole number of free persons, excluding untaxed Native Americans, and including those bound to terms of service, three-fifths of all other persons. An actual enumeration of the population must be made within three years after the first meeting of the US Congress and within every subsequent term of ten years.
Each House of Representatives shall assemble at least once a year, with the meeting to take place on the first Monday in December unless a different day is appointed by law. Each House shall be the judge of the elections, returns, and qualifications of its members, and a majority shall constitute a quorum to do business. A smaller number may adjourn from day to day and may be authorised to compel the attendance of absent members. Each House may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its members for disorderly behaviour, and expel a member with the concurrence of two-thirds.
No Senator or Representative shall, during the time for which they were elected, be appointed to any civil office under the authority of the United States that was created or received increased emoluments during that time. No person holding any office under the United States shall be a member of either House during their continuance in office. All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives, but the Senate may propose or concur with amendments. Every bill that has passed the House of Representatives and the Senate shall be presented to the President of the United States for approval before it becomes law.
The 13th Amendment: Freedom from Slavery in the US
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Frequently asked questions
The U.S. Constitution was last amended on May 5, 1992, with the Twenty-seventh Amendment.
The Twenty-seventh Amendment (Amendment XXVII) states that any law that increases or decreases the salary of members of Congress may take effect only after the next election of the House of Representatives.
The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified on December 15, 1791.
More than 11,000 amendments to the U.S. Constitution have been proposed, but only 27 have been ratified.
