What does the 27th amendment actually say?
Asked by: Jeramie Ward Sr. | Last update: March 17, 2026Score: 4.8/5 (33 votes)
The 27th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution says: "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 simpler terms, any pay raise or cut for members of Congress cannot be implemented until after the next general election, giving voters a chance to weigh in on the decision.
What does the 27th Amendment say in simple terms?
Amendment Twenty-seven to the Constitution was ratified on May 7, 1992. It forbids any changes to the salary of Congress members from taking effect until the next election concludes.
Can a president and vice president be from the same state?
The Electors shall meet in their respective states and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President, ...
Why is the 27th Amendment controversial?
The fact of the Amendment's passage through Congress in 1789 and of its non-ratification by the states came to public attention in the 1980s when there was tremendous popular disapproval of the performance of the Congress and the exorbitant salaries and fringe benefits members of Congress enjoyed.
Who originally wrote the 27th Amendment?
Any pay raise or cut can only take effect for the Congress that follows a sitting Congress. It's not a new idea. Founding Father James Madison first proposed this amendment back in 1789 along with several other amendments that became the Bill of Rights, but it took 203 years for it to become the law of the land.
27 Amendments Walkthrough | Constitution 101
Did the founding fathers put God in the Constitution?
No, the Founding Fathers did not put God in the U.S. Constitution; the document is notably silent on God and religion, a deliberate choice reflecting a consensus on separating church and state, though the Declaration of Independence did mention a Creator and the Articles of Confederation used "Great Governor of the World," while the Constitution includes a "Year of our Lord" in its date and bars religious tests for office in Article VI and the First Amendment protects religious freedom.
Are we getting a 28th amendment?
The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) became the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution when Virginia was the 38th state to ratify in 2020.
What is the most controversial constitutional amendment?
The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976 is one of the most significant and controversial amendments to the Constitution of India, often referred to as the “Mini Constitution” due to the extensive and wide-ranging changes it introduced.
What are the limitations of the 27th Amendment?
The 27th Amendment prevents members of Congress from granting themselves pay raises during the current session. Rather, any raises that are adopted must take effect during the next session of Congress.
When did Congress start getting a salary?
In 1789 Congress decided to pay senators and representatives $6 for each day they attended a session. Before long, senators insisted that they deserved a higher rate of pay than House members.
What is the President's salary?
The U.S. President earns an annual salary of $400,000, set by Congress in 2001, plus a $50,000 expense account (non-taxable), a $100,000 travel account, and a $19,000 entertainment budget, along with housing (the White House) and other benefits like security, with some presidents choosing to donate their salary.
Which amendment prevents the President and vice president from being inhabitants of the same state?
The Twelfth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prevents the President and Vice President from being inhabitants of the same state by requiring electors to cast separate ballots for each office, with at least one candidate not being from the elector's state, though the common practice of presidential tickets usually ensures geographic diversity anyway.
Can Elon Musk be the President?
Musk, who was born in South Africa, is ineligible to run for the presidency or the vice presidency of the United States under the provisions of the United States Constitution. He is eligible to run for other offices, such as United States senator or representative, as well as to be a political party chair.
Who can remove the president from office?
The Constitution gives Congress the power to impeach federal officials. An official can be impeached for treason, bribery, and “other high crimes and misdemeanors.” The House of Representatives brings articles (charges) of impeachment against an official. Learn more about the House's role in impeachment.
What are the two rejected amendments?
The two rejected amendments from the original 1789 proposal, which became the Bill of Rights, were the Congressional Apportionment Amendment (setting a formula for House size) and the Congressional Pay Amendment (requiring intervening elections for pay raises). While the first remains unratified, the second eventually passed in 1992 as the 27th Amendment.
Has the 27th Amendment passed?
The Twenty-seventh Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan was passed on 13 November 2025.
Why was the 27th Amendment controversial?
While the inclusion of compensation was eventually agreed upon, many framers and the general public still worried that people would greedily enter public office to enrich themselves. James Madison foresaw the complication of allowing Congress to adjust its own salary without some guidelines.
What famous US document has 27 amendments?
The United States Constitution
Beginning with the words “We the People,” the U.S. Constitution is composed of the Preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments.
What impact does the 27th have today?
Originally proposed in 1789 alongside other amendments that would become part of the Bill of Rights, the essence of the 27th Amendment is simple: any change in congressional salary cannot take effect until after an election has occurred.
What is the most glaring error in the Constitution?
FASCINATING FACTS ABOUT THE U.S. CONSTITUTION: 1. Of the spelling errors in the Constitution, PENSYLVANIA above the signers' names is probably the most glaring because today, Pennsylvania is spelled with two Ns; in 1781, the spelling with one N is also correct.
What is the most misunderstood amendment?
609 (2021). Abstract: The Eleventh Amendment might be the most misunderstood amendment to the Constitution.
What would a 28th amendment be?
The most prominent contender for the 28th Amendment is the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), aiming to guarantee legal equality regardless of sex, with supporters believing it's already ratified due to meeting state count requirements, while others debate its official publication; other proposed 28th Amendments include gun control, electoral reform, living wage, and environmental protections, reflecting ongoing debates about foundational rights.
Why hasn't the ERA been ratified?
The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) wasn't ratified by the 1982 deadline primarily due to a successful anti-ERA campaign led by Phyllis Schlafly, who argued it threatened traditional gender roles, leading to fears of gender-neutral bathrooms, women in combat, and loss of financial spousal support, stalling ratification at 35 states, just three short of the required 38, with some states even rescinding their votes before the deadline passed.
What is the purge of the 28th amendment?
In 2016, the NFFA devises a plan to help stabilize American society, and later in 2017, the 28th Amendment to the U.S Constitution is ratified. This amendment establishes a 12-hour event known as "The Purge" which would take place from 7 PM on March 21 to 7 AM on March 22 wherein almost all crime becomes legal.
Can the 27 amendments be changed?
The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as ...