Legal Definitions - Twenty-seventh Amendment

The Twenty-Seventh Amendment is a part of the United States Constitution that was ratified in 1992. It prevents senators and representatives from receiving a pay raise until a new Congress is in session.

Originally proposed as part of the Bill of Rights in 1789, it took 203 years for the required three-fourths of the states to ratify it. This amendment is also known as the Madison Amendment.

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

The Twenty-Seventh Amendment is important because it helps to prevent corruption and ensures that elected officials are held accountable to the people they represent.