More Unfinished Business:

Remove the Arbitrary Ratification Deadline for the Equal Rights Amendment

As we have done since our founding in 2004, Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) stands shoulder to shoulder with efforts to pass the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). There is much momentum right now to move forward on federal policy. Passing H.J.Res. 17 and S.J.Res. 1, removing the arbitrary ratification deadline on the ERA, are pieces of long unfinished business that PDA fully supports and works with allies to accomplish.

First introduced in 1923, Congress passed the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) in 1972. In January 2020, Virginia became the 38^th state to ratify the ERA, meeting the constitutional threshold for ratification. The following month, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 232-183 to remove the 1982 ratification deadline set in the amendment’s proposing clause. Then Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to allow a vote on a companion resolution in the U.S. Senate and the resolution died.

On January 21, 2021, Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) and Rep. Tom Reed (R-NY) reintroduced Speier’s House Joint Resolution, with 195 cosponsors, to remove the ratification deadline of the ERA. According to Speier’s press release, “By removing the arbitrary deadline for ratification, Rep. Speier’s resolution clears up any legal ambiguity and reaffirms Congress’ support for the ERA and women’s equality.”

Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) have also reintroduced their joint resolution, S.J.Res. 1, in the US Senate. “There should be no time limit on equality,” said Sen. Cardin.

Progressive Democrats of America pledges our full support for achieving victory on H.J.Res. 17 and S.J.Res. 1, clearing the path for inclusion of the ERA as the 28^th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Contact your members of Congress today and tell them we have waited 98 years—we need the ERA now. Please donate $98, $38, $28, or whatever you can to support PDA’s efforts to pass the ERA.