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Follows the action of Congress on a May 7, 1992 ratification of a 203-year-old amendment prohibiting midterm pay raises for Senators and Representatives. The amendment was originally proposed by James Madison and first ratified by Maryland in 1789. One of the twelve proposed amendments in which ten became the Bill of Rights; Debating the issue in the midst of an election year; The amendment's lack of a deadline; States that have accepted the amendment; More.

Announces the certification of the 27th Amendment to the Constitution, a 1789 proposal that prohibits midterm changes in congressional salaries from taking effect, by the United States Archivist, Don W. Wilson, on May 18, 1992. Printed in the Federal Register on May 19, 1992; The 202 1/2-year-old Madison amendment; The four unratified amendments sent to the states without a deadline; Academic concerns; More.

Details the House bill (HR 4991) which would give defense workers advance notice of their termination and special job-transition benefits. Requirements of the Defense Department to give 120 days' notice before laying off employees because of defense cutbacks due to the dissolution of the Soviet Union; Requirements of the Pentagon to continue to pay its portion of health insurance for laid-off workers for up to 18 months; Estimated number of civilian jobs to be lost; More.

Notes that a proposal made by James Madison 203 years ago to delay congressional pay raises until after an election is finally on its way to becoming the 27th Amendment of the Constitution despite concerns about its tardiness. Congress' reluctancy to challenge the amendment's validity; Decision of the archivist of the United States, Don W. Wilson to recognize the amendment; History of the amendment; Current salaries; Cost of living adjustments (COLA); More.

Reports on Sen. Slade Gorton's (R-Wash.) call for the resignation of his Democratic counter-part Brock Adams, who has been accused of sexual misconduct involving several former associates and has had a complaint filed against him by the National Oganization for Women (NOW). The Seattle Times' published accusations of eight women who charge that Adams had sexually molested them; The rising protest against women's issues; Adams' denial of the charges; Details.

Notes that the House Post Office and Civil Service Committee approved by voice vote on March 11, 1992, a bill (HR 3681) that would declare Election Day an unpaid federal holiday, in an attempt to raise public awareness of the civic responsibilityof voting, prompting debates and voter registration drives. The declining voter turnout in presidential and congressional elections; The companion Senate bill (S 1901); Details.