Why the 27th Amendment is Not the ERA

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 142 views

The 27th Amendment to the Constitution: Separating Fact from Fiction

The United States Constitution has undergone numerous amendments since its ratification in 1788. Among these amendments, the 27th Amendment stands out for its unique history and purpose. However, a common misconception surrounds the 27th Amendment, often mistakenly identified as the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). In this article, we will delve into the truth behind this claim and explore the actual purpose of the 27th Amendment.

The 27th Amendment: A Brief History

The 27th Amendment was ratified on May 7, 1992, and it deals with congressional pay raises. The amendment states that any increase in the salary of a member of Congress cannot take effect until after the next election for that seat. This means that if a member of Congress votes to increase their own salary, they will not receive the raise until after they have been re-elected.

The Equal Rights Amendment: A Separate Entity

The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) is a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution that aims to guarantee equal rights for women under the law. The ERA was first introduced in 1923 and has been a topic of debate ever since. The proposed amendment states that "equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex."

The Status of the ERA

Despite being proposed over 90 years ago, the ERA has yet to be ratified by the necessary number of states to become a part of the Constitution. The ERA has been passed by Congress three times, but it has fallen short of the required number of state ratifications. In 1972, Congress passed the ERA with a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate, and it was sent to the states for ratification. However, the ERA has only been ratified by 38 states, three short of the required 38 states needed for ratification.

Why the 27th Amendment is Not the ERA

So, why do people often confuse the 27th Amendment with the ERA? There are a few reasons for this misconception. Firstly, the 27th Amendment and the ERA are both amendments to the Constitution, and they both deal with issues of equality and fairness. However, the 27th Amendment is a relatively straightforward amendment that deals with congressional pay raises, while the ERA is a more complex and contentious issue that deals with the rights of women.

The Importance of Understanding the 27th Amendment

While the 27th Amendment may not be as glamorous as the ERA, it is still an important part of the Constitution. The 27th Amendment serves as a check on the power of Congress and ensures that members of Congress are accountable to the people. By preventing members of Congress from voting to increase their own salaries, the 27th Amendment helps to maintain the integrity of the legislative branch and prevents corruption.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the 27th Amendment to the Constitution is not the Equal Rights Amendment. While both amendments deal with issues of equality and fairness, they are distinct and separate entities. The 27th Amendment is a relatively straightforward amendment that deals with congressional pay raises, while the ERA is a more complex and contentious issue that deals with the rights of women. By understanding the 27th Amendment, we can better appreciate the importance of the Constitution and the role that it plays in our democracy.

The History of the 27th Amendment

The 27th Amendment has a long and complex history that dates back to the early days of the Republic. The amendment was first proposed in 1789 by James Madison, who is often referred to as the "Father of the Constitution." Madison proposed the amendment as a way to prevent members of Congress from voting to increase their own salaries.

The Ratification Process

The ratification process for the 27th Amendment was a long and arduous one. The amendment was first sent to the states for ratification in 1789, but it did not gain traction until the 1970s. In 1971, the amendment was sent to the states again, and it was ratified by the necessary number of states in 1992.

The Impact of the 27th Amendment

The 27th Amendment has had a significant impact on the way that Congress operates. By preventing members of Congress from voting to increase their own salaries, the 27th Amendment helps to maintain the integrity of the legislative branch and prevents corruption. The 27th Amendment also serves as a check on the power of Congress and ensures that members of Congress are accountable to the people.

The Future of the 27th Amendment

As the 27th Amendment continues to shape the way that Congress operates, it is likely that its impact will be felt for years to come. The 27th Amendment serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability and integrity in government, and it helps to maintain the trust of the American people in their elected officials.

The Equal Rights Amendment: A Separate Entity

The Status of the ERA

Why the ERA is Still Relevant Today

The ERA is still relevant today because it addresses a fundamental issue of equality and fairness. Women continue to face discrimination and inequality in many areas of life, including employment, education, and healthcare. The ERA would help to address these issues by guaranteeing equal rights for women under the law.

The Importance of the ERA

The ERA is an important part of the Constitution because it would help to ensure that women are treated equally under the law. The ERA would also help to promote equality and fairness in many areas of life, including employment, education, and healthcare.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the 27th Amendment to the Constitution is not the Equal Rights Amendment. While both amendments deal with issues of equality and fairness, they are distinct and separate entities. The 27th Amendment is a relatively straightforward amendment that deals with congressional pay raises, while the ERA is a more complex and contentious issue that deals with the rights of women. By understanding the 27th Amendment and the ERA, we can better appreciate the importance of the Constitution and the role that it plays in our democracy.
The 27th Amendment and the Equal Rights Amendment: A Q&A Article

In our previous article, we explored the difference between the 27th Amendment and the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). While both amendments deal with issues of equality and fairness, they are distinct and separate entities. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the 27th Amendment and the ERA.

Q: What is the 27th Amendment?

A: The 27th Amendment is a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution that deals with congressional pay raises. The amendment states that any increase in the salary of a member of Congress cannot take effect until after the next election for that seat.

Q: Why was the 27th Amendment proposed?

A: The 27th Amendment was proposed in 1789 by James Madison, who is often referred to as the "Father of the Constitution." Madison proposed the amendment as a way to prevent members of Congress from voting to increase their own salaries.

Q: How does the 27th Amendment work?

A: The 27th Amendment works by preventing members of Congress from voting to increase their own salaries. If a member of Congress votes to increase their own salary, they will not receive the raise until after they have been re-elected.

Q: What is the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)?

A: The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) is a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution that aims to guarantee equal rights for women under the law. The ERA was first introduced in 1923 and has been a topic of debate ever since.

Q: What does the ERA propose?

A: The ERA proposes that "equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex."

Q: Why has the ERA not been ratified?

A: The ERA has not been ratified because it has fallen short of the required number of state ratifications. In 1972, Congress passed the ERA with a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate, and it was sent to the states for ratification. However, the ERA has only been ratified by 38 states, three short of the required 38 states needed for ratification.

Q: Why is the ERA still relevant today?

A: The ERA is still relevant today because it addresses a fundamental issue of equality and fairness. Women continue to face discrimination and inequality in many areas of life, including employment, education, and healthcare. The ERA would help to address these issues by guaranteeing equal rights for women under the law.

Q: What is the difference between the 27th Amendment and the ERA?

A: The 27th Amendment and the ERA are distinct and separate entities. The 27th Amendment is a relatively straightforward amendment that deals with congressional pay raises, while the ERA is a more complex and contentious issue that deals with the rights of women.

Q: Why is it important to understand the difference between the 27th Amendment and the ERA?

A: It is important to understand the difference between the 27th Amendment and the ERA because they are both important parts of the Constitution. The 27th Amendment serves as a check on the power of Congress and ensures that members of Congress are accountable to the people. The ERA, on the other hand, addresses a fundamental issue of equality and fairness.

Q: What is the future of the ERA?

A: The future of the ERA is uncertain. While there have been efforts to revive the ERA in recent years, it remains to be seen whether it will be ratified by the necessary number of states.

Q: What can be done to promote the ERA?

A: There are several things that can be done to promote the ERA. These include educating the public about the importance of the ERA, lobbying state legislatures to ratify the ERA, and supporting organizations that are working to promote the ERA.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the 27th Amendment and the Equal Rights Amendment are two distinct and separate entities. While the 27th Amendment deals with congressional pay raises, the ERA addresses a fundamental issue of equality and fairness. By understanding the difference between these two amendments, we can better appreciate the importance of the Constitution and the role that it plays in our democracy.