27th Amendment Quiz

What was Benjamin Franklin's argument regarding Congressional pay during the Philadelphia Constitutional Convention?

• Congress members should not be paid to prevent selfish activities.

• Congress members should be paid to ensure only the wealthy serve.

• Congress members should receive bonuses for good performance.

• Congress members should have their pay determined by the President.

Why did James Madison propose that an election should occur before any Congressional pay raise?

• To give Congress more time to debate pay raises.

• To allow the President to approve pay raises.

• To ensure the public could vote out those who proposed unpopular raises.

• To align pay raises with the fiscal year.

How did Gregory Watson contribute to the ratification of the 27th Amendment?

• He proposed a new amendment.

• He was a Supreme Court justice who ruled on it.

• He wrote a paper arguing the amendment could still be ratified.

• He was a member of Congress who voted for it.

What is the primary function of the 27th Amendment?

• To give the President control over Congressional salaries.

• To eliminate Congressional salaries altogether.

• To prevent Congress from granting pay raises during the current session.

• To allow Congress to set its own pay without restrictions.

What does the 27th Amendment prevent Congress from doing?

• Granting themselves pay raises during the current session.

• Appointing Supreme Court justices.

• Holding elections during a session.

• Passing laws without Presidential approval.

What did the Supreme Court rule in Coleman v. Miller regarding amendments without a ratification deadline?

• They must be ratified within 10 years.

• They remain pending and can be ratified at any time.

• They are automatically void after 50 years.

• They require a new Congressional vote to be valid.

In Boehner v. Anderson, what did the Supreme Court decide about the cost of living increases for Congress?

• They require a public referendum.

• They do not violate the 27th Amendment if they take effect after an election.

• They are unconstitutional.

• They violate the 27th Amendment.

What was the outcome of Schaefer v. Clinton regarding automatic pay increases?

• They were deemed unconstitutional.

• They were found to violate the 27th Amendment.

• They required a new amendment to be valid.

• They were upheld as aligning with the 27th Amendment's goals.

What was the main argument against the 27th Amendment's ratification process?

• It was not debated in the Supreme Court.

• It was never approved by the President.

• It lacked a simultaneous approval by Congress and the states.

• It was ratified too quickly.

Why is the 27th Amendment considered important despite its controversial ratification?

• It prevents unchecked pay increases for legislators.

• It allows Congress to increase its pay without public input.

• It eliminates the need for Congressional salaries.

• It gives the President control over Congressional salaries.