Congressional pay changes
Delays changes to congressional compensation until a House election has occurred.
In Simple, Modern English
A law changing senators' or representatives' pay cannot take effect until an election of representatives has taken place after the law.
Important Clauses & Details
Election before effect
Voters get an intervening House election before a law varying congressional compensation takes effect.
Both chambers; pay changes
The rule covers senators and representatives and uses language encompassing changes in compensation, not only increases.
Why It Was Added
Proposed with the Bill of Rights in 1789, the pay amendment aimed to place an election between lawmakers' salary decisions and their effects. It remained unratified for over two centuries until renewed advocacy, including Gregory Watson's campaign, helped secure ratification in 1992.
It does not prohibit Congress from changing pay, require a referendum, or wait for every senator to face an election. The trigger is an intervening election of representatives.
Plain-English study paraphrases summarize the text; they are not verbatim translations. Historical provisions and later changes are identified above. Sources: National Archives and Constitution Annotated.