1986
The Twenty-seventh Amendment. Congressional pay
A law changing the pay of members of Congress takes effect only after the next election of Representatives.
Structure of governmentProposed 1789Ratified May 7, 1992
- What it does
- A law changing the pay of members of Congress takes effect only after the next election of Representatives.
- What led to it
- Sent to the states with the Bill of Rights in 1789 and ratified 202 years later.
- Time to ratify
- 203 years from proposal to ratification.
- Era
- After Watergate (1975–2000)
Around 1992. What else was in the record.
Decisions and events within six years of ratification.
1988
Civil Liberties Act of 1988
Congress formally apologizes for the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II and provides $20,000 in redress to each surviving person who was detained.
Source: National Archives
1989
Texas v. Johnson
No. Flag burning is expressive conduct protected by the First Amendment.
Source: Opinion of the Court
1990
Americans with Disabilities Act
Prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in employment, public services, public accommodations and telecommunications.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice
1992
Planned Parenthood v. Casey
No. The Court kept Roe’s central holding but replaced its framework with an “undue burden” standard.
Source: Opinion of the Court
1995
United States v. Lopez
No. Possessing a gun in a school zone is not economic activity that substantially affects interstate commerce.
Source: Opinion of the Court
1998
House impeaches President Clinton
The House approves two articles, perjury and obstruction of justice. The Senate acquits on both.
Source: U.S. Senate