U.S. Constitution · Article I, Section 6, Clause 1
Compensation Clause; Arrest Clause; Speech or Debate Clause
Alerts when a new grade, SI Solution or Think Tank idea cites Art. I, § 6, cl. 1.
Also known as: Compensation Clause · Arrest Clause · Speech or Debate Clause
Live in the VFA record
Cited in 6 grades this month.
13 public items cite this provision · 6 in October 2026 (last month: 1)
Citations per week, last 12 weeks
The text
The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.
National Archives transcription (public domain; original spelling and capitalization). archives.gov
SI explainer
An explainer for this provision is in the queue. It appears here once it passes the SI Editorial Standard’s automated checks. The text, founding-era sources and live citations below are complete.
In the founders’ words
- “upon just principles of representation, the representative ought to speak the sentiments of his constituents, and ought to vote in the same manner that his constituents would do (as far as he can judge) provided his constituents were acting in person, and had the same knowledge and information with himself; and therefore that the representative ought to be dependant on his constituents, and answerable to them;” Luther Martin, Luther Martin, The Genuine Information, published serially Dec. 1787-Feb. 1788 (on the Senate) (1787-12-28)
- “That in article 1st, section 6, clause 1, there be added to the end of the first sentence, these words, to wit: "But no law varying the compensation last ascertained shall operate before the next ensuing election of Representatives."” James Madison, James Madison, Speech Proposing Amendments, House of Representatives, June 8, 1789 (Annals of Congress 1:448-60) (1789-06-08)
Public-domain primary sources, quoted word for word and checked against the linked text.
Leading Supreme Court cases
- Gravel v. United States, 408 U.S. 606 (1972)
Cited in the VFA record
“Where this provision is cited”
grades (6)
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S.Res. 526: A resolution withholding the pay of Senators if a Government shutdown occurs.
2026-10-13 · Grade A (Constitutional)
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H.Res. 713: Censuring Representative Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and removing her from the Committee on Education and Workforce and the Committee on the Budget.
2026-10-13 · Grade A (Constitutional)
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H.Res. 539: Censuring Representative LaMonica McIver and removing her from the Committee on Homeland Security.
2026-10-13 · Grade F (Direct violation)
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H.Res. 516: Condemning the violent June 2025 riots in Los Angeles, California.
2026-10-10 · Grade A (Constitutional)
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H.Res. 888: Censuring and condemning Delegate Stacey Plaskett and removing her from the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence for conduct that reflects discreditably on the House of Represe
2026-10-09 · Grade A (Constitutional)
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H.Res. 1490: Providing for the condemnation and denouncement of socialism in all its forms, and for other purposes.
2026-10-08 · Grade A (Constitutional)
roll-call votes (7)
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House roll call 289 (2026): On Agreeing to the Resolution on H RES 1490
2026-09-01 · Passed · official record
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Senate roll call 119 (2026): On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed on S.Res. 526
2026-05-13 · Cloture on the Motion to Proceed Agreed to · official record
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House roll call 293 (2025): On Motion to Refer on H RES 888
2025-11-18 · Failed · official record
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House roll call 297 (2025): On Agreeing to the Resolution on H RES 888
2025-11-18 · Failed · official record
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House roll call 276 (2025): On Motion to Table on H RES 713
2025-09-17 · Passed · official record
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House roll call 223 (2025): On Motion to Table on H RES 539
2025-09-03 · Passed · official record
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House roll call 185 (2025): On Agreeing to the Resolution on H RES 516
2025-06-27 · Passed · official record
Roll-call votes are listed when the measure voted on has a current Constitution Index grade citing this provision. Counts include only published items.
Cite this page
Values for America Constitution Explorer, https://www.valuesforamerica.com/constitution (text: National Archives transcription, public domain), Article I, Section 6, Clause 1, https://www.valuesforamerica.com/constitution/article-1/section-6/clause-1
Data: this provision as JSON.