Constitution Cards

All cards โ€บ Amendment XXVII

Amendment XXVII: Limits on congressional pay raises

Originally proposed Sept. 25, 1789. Ratified May 7, 1992.

In plain English

A pay change Congress votes for itself can't take effect until after the next House election. Proposed in 1789 and ratified 203 years later, in 1992.

Original 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.

Plain-English summaries are simplified for learning. Courts interpret these words in detail; this is general information, not legal advice.

Source: National Archives