Isabella Carter
The US Constitution was revised in 1992 with the addition of the Twenty-seventh Amendment, which was certified on May 18, 1992, by the Archivist of the United States, Don W. Wilson. The amendment, which was first proposed in 1789, states that any changes to the compensation of members of Congress can only take effect after the subsequent election in the House of Representatives. The goal of the amendment was to reduce corruption in the legislative branch by giving the public the opportunity to remove members of Congress from office before their salaries increase.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Revision | 1992 |
| Reason for Revision | To address issues related to election procedures and reflect the changing nature of democracy in the US |
| Amendments | 27th Amendment ratified, addressing congressional salary increases |
| Context | The revision took place during a period of political reform and a desire to improve electoral processes |
| Impact | Strengthened election procedures and improved representation, ensuring a more responsive democracy |
| Key Changes | Addressed the issue of congressional salary increases and its timing in relation to elections |
| Rationale | To prevent members of Congress from passing salary increases that would take effect during their own term, thus removing any potential for personal gain |
| Voter Rights | The revision ensured that any changes to congressional compensation would only take effect following an election, giving voters a say in the matter |
| Democracy | The change reflected a more responsive and accountable government to the people it represents |
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What You'll Learn
The 27th Amendment was proposed by a college student
The 27th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which was ratified in 1992, was first proposed by James Madison in 1789. However, it was largely forgotten until 1982 when Gregory Watson, a 19-year-old undergraduate student at the University of Texas at Austin, wrote a paper for a government class arguing that the amendment could still be ratified. Watson received a ""C" grade for his paper from one of the course's teaching assistants, who found the argument unconvincing. Undeterred, Watson appealed the grade to the course instructor, Sharon Waite, who declined to overrule the teaching assistant.
Believing that the amendment was still "live", Watson launched a nationwide campaign to complete its ratification. He spent $6,000 of his own money on a letter-writing campaign to state legislatures, advocating for the amendment's ratification. By May 5, 1992, the requisite 38 states had ratified the amendment, and it was certified by the Archivist of the United States, Don W. Wilson, on May 18, 1992, more than 202 years after its original proposal. The amendment, commonly known as the Congressional Compensation Act of 1789, addresses congressional pay and aims to reduce corruption in the legislative branch. Specifically, it requires that any changes to the compensation of Senators and Representatives must not take effect until after the next election of Representatives.
The 27th Amendment is the most recent amendment to the Constitution, and its journey to ratification highlights the complex and lengthy process of amending the nation's founding document. Over 12,000 constitutional amendments have been proposed in US history, but very few have advanced to the ratification process. The persistence and dedication of Gregory Watson, a college student, played a pivotal role in ensuring the 27th Amendment's eventual ratification, despite the initial scepticism and low grade he received for his idea.
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The amendment was certified by the Archivist of the United States
The US Constitution's 27th Amendment, which was first proposed in 1789, was ratified in 1992. It is the only constitutional amendment to be certified by the Archivist of the United States. On May 18, 1992, Don W. Wilson, the Archivist of the United States, certified that the amendment's ratification had been completed. Michigan's May 7, 1992, ratification was thought to be the 38th state, but it was later discovered that Kentucky had ratified the amendment during its initial month of statehood. This made Alabama the state to finalise the amendment's addition to the Constitution.
The Archivist of the United States is responsible for managing the constitutional amending process. This includes submitting amendments that Congress has proposed to the states for ratification, collecting state ratifications, and certifying amendments as part of the Constitution once three-fourths of the states ratify them. The Archivist has the authority to amend the Constitution, and they are responsible for administering the ratification process. The Archivist's certification of the facial legal sufficiency of ratification documents is final and conclusive.
The 27th Amendment certification was a controversial act due to the length of time between the amendment's proposal and its ratification. Some members of Congress expressed concern about the legality of an amendment proposed over 200 years prior. They believed the Archivist should have sought congressional approval before signing. However, Wilson responded that it was unnecessary, as the votes by three-fourths of the states, not his signature, added the amendment to the Constitution.
The certification of the 27th Amendment was a ceremonial function. The Director of the Federal Register, who assists the Archivist in the amending process, signed the certification as a witness. The Archivist's certification included a letter of notification to each Governor, along with informational material. The certification was then published in the Federal Register, serving as official notice to Congress and the nation that the amendment process was completed.
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The amendment was ratified by 38 states
The Twenty-seventh Amendment to the US Constitution was certified on May 18, 1992, by the Archivist of the United States, Don W. Wilson. This certification came after the requisite 38 states had ratified the amendment.
The 38th state to ratify the amendment was initially believed to be Michigan, which ratified the amendment on May 7, 1992. However, it was later discovered that the Kentucky General Assembly had ratified the amendment during its initial month of statehood. This made Alabama the 38th state to ratify the amendment, as it acted after Missouri on May 5, 1992.
Michigan and New Jersey raced to be the 38th state, with New Jersey aiming to overturn its rejection of the amendment centuries earlier. Michigan ratified first, but New Jersey quickly followed suit.
The amendment's journey to ratification began in 1982, when University of Texas at Austin student Gregory Watson wrote an undergraduate research paper on the topic. Watson's paper received a "C" grade from his professor, who argued that the amendment was a "dead letter" issue and that Watson had not convinced her that the amendment was still pending.
Despite this initial rejection, Watson launched a nationwide campaign to complete the amendment's ratification. The amendment aimed to reduce corruption in the legislative branch by requiring an election before a congressperson's salary increase could take effect. This idea was first proposed by Founding Father James Madison in 1789, along with several other amendments that became the Bill of Rights.
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The amendment was designed to reduce political corruption
The Twenty-seventh Amendment, which was ratified in 1992, was designed to reduce political corruption. The amendment states that any changes to the compensation of members of the U.S. Congress can only take effect after the subsequent election in the House of Representatives. In other words, a sitting Congress cannot give itself a raise or cut its pay during its current session. This amendment was proposed by Gregory Watson, a student at the University of Texas in Austin, who argued that it would curtail political corruption.
Watson's idea for the amendment was first presented in an undergraduate research paper in 1982. Despite receiving a "C" grade for his paper, Watson's proposal gained traction and sparked a nationwide movement. By May 5, 1992, the necessary 38 states had ratified the amendment, and it was officially certified by the Archivist of the United States on May 18, 1992.
The Twenty-seventh Amendment addresses the issue of congressional salaries, which had been a point of debate during the ratification of the Constitution by several states. The amendment ensures that the public has the power to remove members of Congress from office before their salaries increase. This measure was intended to hold Congress accountable and prevent them from giving themselves pay raises without the approval of the electorate.
The amendment's impact on congressional behaviour is unclear, and it has received little publicity since its ratification. However, it stands as a testament to the power of individuals like Watson to effect change and shape the Constitution. The amendment's certification by the Archivist of the United States, Don W. Wilson, sparked some controversy as it deviated from the traditional process of waiting for congressional approval. Nonetheless, Congress voiced its support for the amendment in a near-unanimous vote.
In conclusion, the Twenty-seventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1992, was specifically designed to reduce political corruption. By requiring an election before any changes to congressional compensation can take effect, the amendment aimed to increase transparency and accountability in the legislative branch. The amendment's certification and widespread support underscored its importance in addressing concerns about congressional self-interest and the potential for abuse of power.
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The amendment was first proposed in 1789
The US Constitution was revised in 1992 with the addition of the Twenty-seventh Amendment. This amendment was first proposed in 1789, along with 11 other amendments, by the First Congress of the United States. The 1789 Joint Resolution of Congress proposing these amendments is on display in the Rotunda in the National Archives Museum.
The 12 amendments were proposed to the legislatures of the several states, and all or any of the articles were to be considered valid as part of the Constitution once ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures. Ten of the proposed 12 amendments were ratified on December 15, 1791, and constitute the first 10 amendments of the Constitution, or the US Bill of Rights.
The amendment first proposed in 1789 and ratified in 1992, now known as the Twenty-seventh Amendment, addresses Congressional pay and limitations. It requires that any change to the rate of compensation for members of Congress can only take effect after the subsequent election in the House of Representatives. This amendment was proposed to curtail political corruption and reduce corruption in the legislative branch.
The amendment remained dormant for almost 80 years after only six states voted for ratification. In 1982, a student at the University of Texas in Austin, Gregory Watson, wrote an undergraduate research paper that became the foundation for a movement to ratify the amendment. Watson launched a nationwide campaign to complete its ratification, and by May 5, 1992, the requisite 38 states had ratified the amendment.
The Twenty-seventh Amendment was certified by the Archivist of the United States, Don W. Wilson, on May 18, 1992, more than 202 years after its original proposal.
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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution was revised in 1992 to include the Twenty-seventh Amendment, which aimed to reduce corruption in the legislative branch.
The 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, a sitting Congress cannot give itself a raise or cut its pay during its current session.
The addition of the Twenty-seventh Amendment can be traced back to a college student, Gregory Watson, who proposed the idea in a term paper in 1982. Watson's professor gave him a C for the paper, stating that the argument that the amendment was still pending was not convincing. Watson then launched a nationwide campaign to complete its ratification.
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