Jonah Patel
The Twenty-seventh Amendment to the US Constitution, also known as the Congressional Compensation Amendment, addresses the issue of Congressional compensation. Proposed in 1789, it was ratified over two centuries later in 1992. The amendment states that any changes to the salaries of Senators and Representatives can only take effect after the next election of Representatives. This amendment aimed to reduce corruption in the legislative branch by preventing Congress from increasing their salaries without facing re-election.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Twenty-seventh Amendment, Amendment XXVII, Congressional Compensation Act of 1789 |
| Purpose | To reduce corruption in the legislative branch by requiring an election before a congressperson's salary increase takes effect |
| 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 |
| History | Initially proposed in 1789, it was one of the first proposed amendments. It was largely forgotten until 1982, when Gregory Watson, a student at the University of Texas at Austin, wrote a paper arguing for its ratification. It was finally ratified in 1992. |
| Notable Figures | James Madison, Gregory Watson |
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What You'll Learn
The 27th Amendment
The amendment states that any law that increases or decreases the salary of members of Congress may only take effect after the next election of the House of Representatives. In other words, senators and representatives can increase or decrease their salaries, but these changes will not come into effect until after the next election. This amendment aims to reduce corruption in the legislative branch by allowing the public to remove members of Congress from office before their salaries increase.
The proposed amendment was largely forgotten until 1982 when Gregory Watson, a 19-year-old student at the University of Texas at Austin, wrote a paper arguing that it was still relevant and could be added to the Constitution. Watson launched a nationwide campaign, and in 1983 and 1984, Maine and Colorado became the first new states to ratify the old amendment. On May 18, 1992, the Archivist of the United States certified that enough states had ratified the amendment, and Congress confirmed this decision on May 20, 1992. Thus, over 200 years after its initial proposal, the 27th Amendment finally became part of the United States Constitution.
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Reducing corruption in the legislative branch
Political corruption undermines democracy and good governance by flouting or even subverting formal processes. Corruption in the legislature reduces accountability and distorts representation in policymaking. It is important to reduce corruption in the legislative branch to ensure that the government serves its citizens and acts in their best interests. Here are some ways to reduce corruption in the legislative branch:
Anti-Corruption Regimes
Anti-corruption regimes refer to the legal frameworks, institutions, and capacities that countries enact and sustain to prevent, detect, and prosecute corruption. Legal reforms should be accompanied by the capacity to implement and enforce them, such as the ability to effectively investigate, prosecute, and adjudicate crimes. Regional and global efforts should complement the work of individual countries to prevent and pursue corruption, fostering effective international cooperation and partnerships.
International Treaties and Organizations
International treaties, such as the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), establish clear roadmaps for reform measures and benchmarks to hold countries accountable. The United States has played a key role in negotiating and enforcing UNCAC, which covers all aspects of combating corruption and has over 189 state parties. Additionally, organizations like the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) within the U.S. Department of State work to promote integrity and accountability globally. INL engages in diplomacy, funds projects, and reinforces the role of civil society, the media, and the business community in anti-corruption efforts.
Legislative Agenda and Bills
Lawmakers can introduce legislative agendas and bills aimed at ending corruption. For example, the "End Corruption Now" legislative agenda includes seven bills designed to prevent the President, Executive Branch officials, and Members of Congress from personally benefiting from their offices. This agenda includes bills such as the No Corporate Crooks Act, the Stop Millionaires Using Service for Kickbacks (MUSK) Act, the Closing Bribery Loopsides Act, and the Integrity in Government Act. These bills aim to prevent convicted criminals from holding power, require recusal in matters affecting financial interests, clarify bribery statutes, and restore accountability.
Freedom of Information and Press Freedom
Ensuring freedom of information and press freedom is crucial for reducing corruption. Investigative reporting in the media can expose corruption and hold those in power accountable. Transparency and timely financial management practices can also help to reduce corruption and increase awareness among citizens.
Constitutional Amendments
Constitutional amendments can be enacted to prevent corruption in the legislative branch. For example, the Twenty-seventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, also known as the Congressional Compensation Amendment, addresses financial compensation for Congress. It states that no law varying the compensation for Senators and Representatives shall take effect until after an election of Representatives has intervened. This amendment aims to prevent Congress from abusing its power to set its own pay and ensures that salary changes only take effect after a congressional election.
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Congress members can't raise salaries before an election
The 27th Amendment to the US Constitution, titled "Financial Compensation for the Congress", prevents Congress members from raising their salaries before an election. This amendment was proposed and introduced by James Madison, then a Virginia congressman, in 1789. Madison's proposal was in response to concerns that the Constitution did not adequately protect the rights of states and individual citizens.
The 27th Amendment states 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". In other words, any changes to the salaries of Congress members cannot take effect until after the next election. The amendment was designed to prevent corruption in the Legislative Branch by ensuring that Congress members could not increase their salaries before facing re-election.
The history of the 27th Amendment spans over two centuries. It was initially proposed in the late 18th century, along with a series of other resolutions, but it faded from memory and lay dormant for nearly 200 years. In 1982, Gregory Watson, a student at the University of Texas at Austin, wrote a political science essay arguing that the amendment was still "live" and could be added to the Constitution. Watson's essay sparked a campaign that gained traction in 1983 and 1984, with several states ratifying the amendment. The 27th Amendment was finally ratified in 1992, becoming the most recent addition to the Constitution.
Despite the 27th Amendment, Congress has continued to pass pay raises, leading to public resentment. Members of Congress currently earn $174,000 annually, with some advocating for a salary raise to make the position more accessible to people from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds and to reduce the influence of lobbyists and PACS. However, others, such as Congressman Pat Ryan, have pledged to vote against pay raises for Congress members, citing the financial pressure faced by constituents.
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The Salary Grab Act
The idea of increasing salaries for government officials was conceived in the final days of the 42nd Congress and was first introduced on February 7, 1873, in the House Judiciary Committee, chaired by Benjamin Butler, a Stalwart Republican from Massachusetts. The bill included a 50% salary increase for the president and members of Congress, retroactive to the beginning of their term. This retroactive pay raise was the most highly contested provision in the bill.
Newspapers immediately characterised the pay raise as the "Salary Grab Act", associating it with the recent Crédit Mobilier scandal. Most of the criticism, especially from Liberal reformers, was aimed at Republicans. The act, along with the scandal, fuelled a widespread notion that the party in power was hopelessly corrupt.
Public outcry led Congress to repeal the congressional salary increase, and during the opening of the next Congress on January 20, 1874, House members sustained only the salary increases for the president and Supreme Court Justices.
This incident is notable as it led to the Twenty-seventh Amendment to the United States Constitution, which states that no law varying the compensation for the services of Senators and Representatives shall take effect until an election of Representatives has intervened. This amendment was proposed by James Madison in 1789 and ratified in 1992, over 200 years later. It ensures that Members of Congress cannot abuse their power to set their pay and helps prevent corruption in the Legislative Branch.
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Madison's original intent
The Twenty-seventh Amendment to the United States Constitution, also known as the Congressional Compensation Amendment, was proposed by James Madison, then a Virginia congressman, in 1789. Madison's original intent was that it be added to the end of Article I, Section 6, Clause 1 of the Constitution.
Madison's proposal stated that "no alteration of the existing rate of compensation shall operate for the benefit of the Representatives, until after a subsequent election shall have been had." In other words, Madison intended to prevent members of Congress from increasing their salaries during their term and before the next election. This proposal was in response to concerns that the Constitution did not adequately protect the rights of states and individual citizens, and that members of Congress could abuse their power to set their salaries.
At the time, some delegates to the state conventions, such as Patrick Henry, objected to allowing members of Congress to determine their compensation without limitation or restraint. They argued that this could lead to corruption and that having state legislatures fix members' compensation would impose a necessary measure of restraint. Madison, who played a key role in drafting the Constitution, defended the Congressional Compensation Clause at the Virginia ratifying convention. He argued that allowing state legislatures to determine congressional pay would make the national government too dependent on state governments.
Madison also responded to concerns that members of Congress would lower their compensation to favour the rich. He contended that the people of the United States could respond by electing other members to reverse such a law. Madison's proposal was referred to a committee consisting of one representative from each state, and it was eventually submitted to the states for ratification on September 25, 1789, along with 11 other proposed amendments.
Despite being one of the first proposed amendments, the Twenty-seventh Amendment was not ratified until May 5, 1992, making it the most recently adopted amendment. This unique span of over two centuries between its proposal and ratification was due in part to the efforts of Gregory Watson, a University of Texas at Austin student who, in 1982, wrote an essay arguing that the amendment was still "live" and could be added to the Constitution.
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Frequently asked questions
The Twenty-seventh Amendment, also known as the Congressional Compensation Act of 1789.
The amendment was designed to prevent corruption in the Legislative Branch by ensuring that members of Congress could not raise their salaries before getting voted out of office.
The amendment was first proposed in 1789 and was ratified in 1992, making it the most recently adopted amendment.
