Legal Definitions - Madison Amendment

The Madison Amendment, also known as the Twenty-seventh Amendment, is a constitutional amendment that was ratified in 1992. It prevents senators and representatives from receiving a pay raise until a new Congress convenes.

For example, if a pay raise for senators and representatives is approved, it will not take effect until the next Congress is in session. This ensures that the people have a say in whether their elected officials receive a pay raise.

The Madison Amendment was originally proposed as part of the Bill of Rights in 1789, but it took 203 years for three-fourths of the states to ratify it. This shows how difficult it can be to amend the Constitution.