gregory watson of austin, texas. discover the existence of the amendment while doing research as an undergraduate at the university of texas. he found that only eight states had ratified it as of 1982. mr. watson conducted a paper. interestingly enough, as an aside, he received a grade of c on the paper, a commentary on his professor that he shouldn't waste his time. [laughter] brian: go back to your teacher. i read about how someone took up your case and found her. do you remember her name? gregory: i always remembered her name. her name is sharon waite. she is still around. but she is no longer in the teaching profession. professor fratzich, not far from here, who did track her down. she telephoned me in 1996. she did not remember me, but we had an amicable chat. a professory, elkins at the university of texas, austin, tractor down again within the past year or so and conferred with her about the proposition of elevating my overall course grade from a c to an a. not only did i get a c on the paper, i got a c overal

. >> gregory watson, the man responsible for getting the 27th amendment to the constitution ratified. >> and i'll never forget it, brian. i was in the library, downtown austin, texas, and i came across a book that had in it a chapter, an entire chapter, devoted to amendments that had passed congress but not enough state legislatures had approved, and this one just jumped right out at me. it said, no law varying the compensation for the services of the senators and representatives shall take effect until an election of representatives shall have intervened. and i can remember standing in the aisle, holding that book in my hand, and it was as if lightning had struck. i could feel the pulsating electricity of it all. and i thought, you know what? instead of writing about the equal rights amendment and this disputed extension in its ratification deadline, why don't i instead write about this amendment that says when members of congress want to adjust their salaries, they have to wait until the next election. >> sunday night, at 8:00 eastern on c-span's q&a. >>> taking a look now at the su

. >> gregory watson, the man responsible for getting the 27th amendment to the constitution ratified. was will never forget it, i in the library downtown in austin, texas and i came across a book that had in it an entire chapter devoted to amendments that had passed congress that not enough state legislatures had approved. and this one just jumped right out at me. law varying the compensation for the services of the senators and representatives shall take effect until an election of representatives shall have intervened. and i can remember standing in the aisle, holding that book in my hand. it was as if lightning had struck. i could feel the pulsating electricity of it all. and i thought -- you know what? instead of writing about the and thishts amendment disputed extension in its ratification deadline, why don't i instead write about this amendment that says that when we members of congress want to adjust their salaries, they have to wait until the next election? at 8 p.m. eastern on c-span's "q&a." on monday, president trump nominated brett kavanaugh for the -- to replace retiring

watson talking about his efforts to ratify the 27th amendment. at question time this week, a cabinet office minister filled in for prime minister theresa may who is attending the nato summit in brussels. he discussed president trump's visit to great written a much ramped -- to great britain, transatlantic relations, and brexit. emily thornberry stood in for jeremy corbyn. >> order, questions for the prime minister? chris stevens? >> very wise. [all shouting] >> mr. speaker. asked to reply, my right honorable friend the prime minister is attending the nato summit in brussels. i know members from both sides of these house would like to join me in paying tribute to lord carrington who died on monday. an extraordinary life of public service including defense secretary, foreign secretary, and secretary general of nato. i'm sure too that members and -- on all sides would also wish to commend the incredible efforts of the authorities in volunteers fore the british cave rescue council for their role in the successful rescue operation. we wish them and we

.>> gregory watson the man responsible for getting the 27th amendment to the constitution ratified.>> i will never forget, i was in the library in austin texas, i came across this book that had a entire chapter devoted to a amendment that passed congress but not enough state legislatures had approved. this one just jumped right out at me. it said, " no law varying the compensation for the services of the senators and representatives shall take effect until a election of representatives shall have intervened. i can remember standing in the oil, holding that book in my hand. it was as if lightning had struck, i could feel the pulsating electricity of it all. i thought, you know what? instead of writing about the equal rights amendment and the disputed extension with the ratification deadline, why don't a -- why don't i write about this amendment, >> sunday night at 8:00 eastern on cspan q and a. cspan were history unfolds daily. in 1979 cspan was created by public service by america's table celt -- cable-television company. we continue to bring you unfiltered coverage of congress, the w

.>> gregory watson the man responsible for getting the 27th amendment to the constitution ratified.>> i will never forget, i was in the library in austin texas, i came across this book that had a entire chapter devoted to a amendment that passed congress but not enough state legislatures had approved. this one just jumped right out at me. it said, " no law varying the compensation for the services of the senators and representatives shall take effect until a election of representatives shall have intervened. i can remember standing in the oil, holding that book in my hand. it was as if lightning had struck, i could feel the pulsating electricity of it all. i thought, you know what? instead of writing about the equal rights amendment and the disputed extension with the ratification deadline, why don't a -- why don't i write about this amendment, >> sunday night at 8:00 eastern on cspan q and a. cspan were history unfolds daily. in 1979 cspan was created by public service by america's table celt -- cable-television company. we continue to bring you unfiltered coverage of congress, the w

gregory watson the man responsible for getting the 27th amendment for the fashion commitment to the constitution ratified. >> i came across a book that had it in a chapter devoted to amendments that have passed congress and not enough state legislatures had approved. this one jumped right out at me. law varying the compensation or the services of the senator and representatives shall take effect until election of representatives shall intervene. i can remember standing in the aisle holding a book in my hand and it was if lightning had struck. i could feel the pulsating electricity of it all. instead of writing about rights amendment in the disputed instead makeen i it so that when memos of congress have want to adjust the salaries they have to wait to the next election. >> president trump is in the u.k. for an official state visit and meetings with british leaders. after a meeting with premised or theresa may, they held a joint news conference. the president answered questions about his comments on european immigration and his upcoming meeting with the president of russia. this is under one hour

announcer: next week on "q & a" we talk with gregory watson, the man responsible for getting the 27th amendment to the constitution ratified. according to the amendment, any pay raise or decrease for members of congress can only take effect after the next con congressional election. on c-span.8:00 p.m. president donald trump will announce his nominee for the supreme court. filling the vacancy left by retiring justice anthony kennedy. watch the announcement live at 9:00 p.m. eastern on c-span and c-span.org or listen on the free c-span radio app. >> every monday your money segment. today we are focusing on the cost of protecting -- safe guarding nuclear wilhelmsen. joining us is john donnelly. john donnelly. he has been looking at this topic and what have you learned? guest: i have done a few studies on this. the extent to which we spend on the defense

.>> gregory watson the man responsible for getting the 27th amended -- amendment to the constitution.>> i was in the library in downtown austin texas and i came across a book that had a chapter, an entire chapter divided two amendments that passed congress but not enough state legislatures approved. this one jumped out at me. it said, no law varying the compensation for the services of the senators and representatives shall take effect until an election of representatives shall have intervened. i can remember standing in the aisle holding that book in my hand and it was as if lightning had struck. i could fill the pulsating electricity of it all. i thought, you know what, instead of writing about the equal rights amendment and the disputed extension in the deadline, why don't i instead write about this amendment on said -- when it says on congress wants to adjust their salary, they have to wait till the next election. >>> a discussion about mass incarcerations and prison reform. this is how.eastern state penitentiary. one of the most expensive prisons in the world. it is a preserved h

. > gregory watson, the man responsible for getting the 25th amendment to the constitution ratified. it, i wasnever forget in the library, downtown austin, book and i came across a that had in it a chapter, entire amendments ted to that had passed congress, but not enough state legislators had approved. this one just jumped right out at me. at this time said, no law varying the compensation for the services of the senators and take entatives, shall effect until an election of representatives shall have intervened. and i can remember standing in holding that book in my hand and it was as if had struck. i could feel the pulsating all.tricity of it and i thought, you know what, nstead of writing about the equal rights amendment and this disputed extension in its deadline, why don't i instead write about this when ent that says, members of congress want to adjust their salary, they have the next election. >> sunday night, 8 eastern on c-span's q&a. >> c-span, where history unfolds daily. was created as a public service by america's able television companies and today we continue to bring

. >> gregory watson, the man responsible for getting the 27th amendment to the constitution ratified. >> and i never forget it. i was in the library downtown austin, texas, and i come across a book that had in it an entire chapter devoted to an amendment that had passed congress, but not enough state legislatures approved. and this one just jumped right out at me. it said "no law varying the compensation for the service of the senators and representatives shall take effect until an election of representatives shall have intervened." and i can remember standing in the aisle holding that book in my hand and it was as if lightning had struck. i could feel the pulsating electricity of it all and i thought you know what? instead of writing about the equal rights amendment and this disputed extension in its ratification deadline, why don't i instead write about this amendment that says when members of congress want to adjust their salary, they have to wait until the next election. >> sunday night at 8 eastern on c-span's q and a. >> how much fake information is in the media? the brookings i

. >> gregory watson, the man responsible for getting the 27th constitution he ratify. >> i'll never forget. i was in the library downtown austin, texas. this one jumped right at me. it said no law. compensation for the services of the senators and shall take ves ffect until an election of representatives has intervened and i can remember standing in that book in ing my hand and it was as if had struck. i could feel the pulse and the of it all. i thought, you know what, instead of writing about the rights amendment and this its ted extension in ratification deadline, why don't i instead write about this memberst that says when of congress want to adjust their salaries, they have to wait election. ext >> sunday night at 8:00 eastern on c-span's q&a. monday night president trump selected brett kavanaugh to fill seat e anthony kennedy's on the supreme court. he was on capitol hill yesterday meeting with senators. here's a look.

eastern on c-span -- on c-span.org. " with gregory watson. david lymington fills in for theresa may during question time in the house of commons. then, a joint news conference with president trump and prime minister may, followed by the president's visit with queen elizabeth. [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. visit ncicap.org] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2017] "q&a," the man responsible for getting the 27th amendment to the u.s. constitution ratified. impact has it had in your life that you are responsible for an amendment to the constitution? gregory: i have been able to make a dent in the world. and how many people can really make that claim?

. >> gregory watson, the man responsible for getting the 27th amendment to the constitution ratified. >> i'll never forget it, brian. i was in the library downtown austin, texas. and i came across a book that had in it a chapter, an entire chapter devoted to amendments that had passed congress, but not enough state legislatures had approved. this one just jumped right out at me. it said no law varying the compensation for the services of the senators and representatives shall take effect until an election of representatives shall have intervened. i can remember standing in the aisle holding that book in my hand. and it was as if lightning had struck. i could feel the pulsating electricity of it all. and i thought, you know what? instead of writing about the equal rights amendment and this disputed extension in its ratification deadline, why don't i instead write about this amendment that says when members of congress want to adjust their salaries they have to wait till the next election. >> sunday night at 8:00 eastern on q&a. >>> c-span, where history unfolds daily. in 1979, c-span w

visit ncicap.org] gregory watson, the man responsible for getting the 27th amendment to the constitution ratified. >> i will never forget the time i was in the library in downtown austin texas and came across a book that had a chapter devoted to amendments that it passed congress, but not enough state legislators had approved. this one jumped right out at me. law varyinglove-- the compensation for the services of the senator and representative shall take effect intel and election of representatives is intervened. i remember standing in the aisle, holding the book in my hand, it was as if lightning had struck. i could feel the pulsating electricity of it all. i thought, you know what? instead of writing about the equal mind -- rights amendment, why don't i instead write about this amendment that says when members of congress want to adjust salaries, they have to wait until the next election. sunday night at 8:00 eastern.

. >> gregory watson, the man responsible for getting the 27th amendment to the constitution ratified. >> i was in the library, downtown austin, texas, and i came up us a book that had a chapter devoted to amendments that had passed congress, but not enough state legislatures have approved. this one jumped right out at me. varying thelaw compensation for the services of the senators and representatives shall take effect until an election of representatives shall have intervened. i can remember standing in the aisle, holding that book in my hand, and it was as if lightning had struck. i could feel the pulsating electricity of it all. i thought, instead of writing about the equal rights amendment and this disputed extension in its ratification deadline, why don't i write about this amendment that says when members of congress want to adjust their salaries, they have to wait until the next election? >> sunday night at 8:00 eastern on c-span's q&a. >> c-span, where history unfolds daily. in 1979, c-span was created as a public service by america's cable television companies. today, we cont

announcer: gregory watson, the man responsible for getting the 27th amendment ratified. >> i will never forget, i was in the library in downtown austin, texas. i came across a book that had an entire chapter devoted to a amendments that had passed congress, but not enough state legislatures had approved. this one jumped out right at me. law of the very in compensation for the service of senators and representatives shall take effect until an election of representatives shall have intervened." i can remember standing in the aisle holding that book in my hand, and it was as if lightning had struck. i could feel the pulsating electricity of it all. i thought, you know what? instead of writing about the in theights amendment disputed extension in its ratification deadline, why don't write about this amendment that says when members of congress want to adjust their salary, they have to wait until the next election? announcer: sunday night at eight upon eastern on c-span's "q&a -- at 8:00 eastern on c-span's "q&a." announcer: brett kavanaugh of the united states court of appeals of the distri

watson. talking about his efforts to ratify an amendment. after that, british cabinet for primeills in minister theresa may during question time and the house of commons. then, a joint news conference with president trump and theresa may followed by the president's visit with queen elizabeth. >> this week on q&a, gregory watson, the man responsible for getting the 27th amendment to the constitution ratified. watson, what impact has it had on your life that you are responsible for an amendment to the constitution? say that i was able to make a dent in the world. how many people can make that

. >> gregory watson, the man responsible for getting the 27th amendment to the constitution ratified. >> i'll never forget. i was in the library downtown austin, texas. and i came across a book that had in it a chapter, an entire chapter, devoted to amendments that had passed congress but not enough state legislatures had approved. this one jumped right@me. said, no law varing the compensation for the services of the senators and representatives shall take effect until an election of representatives shall have intervened. and i can remember standing in the aisle holding that book in my hand and it was as if lightning had struck. i could feel the pulsating electricity of it all. i thought, you know what, instead of writing about the equal rights amendment and this disputed extension in

. >> gregory watson, the man responsible for getting the 27th amendment to the constitution ratified . >> i'll never forget brian, i was in the library , downtown texas and i came across that had ended in entire chapter devoted to amendments that passed congress not enough state legislators had approved and this one just jumped right out of me. it said no law varying the compensation for the services of the senators and representatives shall be suspect until an election of representatives shall be intervened and i can remember standing in the aisle holding that book in my hand and it was as if lightning had struck. i could feel the pulsating electricity of it all. and i thought you know what? instead of writing about the equal rights amendment and this disputed extension in its ratification deadline, why don't i instead write about this amendmentthat says when members of congress what to adjust their salaries, they have to wait until the next election . >> monday night at eight eastern on c-span you and day. >> following the resignation of boris johnson yesterday, prime minister ther

. >> gregory watson, the man responsible for getting the 27th amendment to the constitution ratified. >> i'll never forget it, i was in the library downtown austin, texas and i came across a book that had in it a chapter, an entire chapter devoted to an amendments that had passed congress, but not enough state legislators had approved and this one just jumped right out at me. it said, no law varying the compensation for the services of the senators and representatives shall take effect until an election of representatives shall have intervened. and i can remember standing in the aisle holding that book in my hand and it was as if lightning had struck. i could feel the pulsating electricity of it all. and i -- you know what? instead of writing about the equals rights amendment and this disputed extension in its ratification deadline, why don't i instead right about this amendment that says, when members of congress want to adjust their salary, they have to wait until the next election? >> sunday night at 8:00 eastern on c-span's q & a. >> the u.s. senate is about to gavel into session,