May 5, 1992: The 27th Amendment to the Constitution is ratified

On May 5, 1992, the 27th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified when Alabama's legislature approved it. The amendment makes any pay raises Congress gives itself ineffective until after the next election. It is designed to prevent current members of Congress from raising their own salaries. Only six states originally ratified the amendment in 1789 when it was introduced as the Congressional Compensation Amendment of 1789. Between 1789 and 1992, 31 more states ratified the amendment, which had no ratification deadline. The amendment is the most recent to the Constitution.

The amendment states: ''No law varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives shall take effect until an election of Representatives shall have intervened.''

Legal Help Center | Find an Attorney