A coalition of more than 100 lawmakers wrote a letter on Sunday urging President Biden to support the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), which prohibits discrimination against women in the Constitution.
“We must continue our efforts to fully enforce and recognize the equal rights of all people, regardless of sex, as part of our Constitution, an effort that has never been more urgent,” the members of Congress wrote.
“This is an important step as we prepare to transition to a more transparent regime for reproductive freedom, access to health care, and LGBTQIA+ rights.”
Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) and Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), the chairmen of the Congressional Caucus for the Equal Rights Amendment, have long recommended that Mr. Biden take steps to establish equal rights under the law.
He cited concerns about health care reform requested by transgender minors and the rise of the state’s ban on abortion as reasons for the president to approve the change.
“We believe that noting the ratification of the ERA not only fulfills the promise of equality written in our founding documents, but also stands as a way to define the success of your administration – one that is repeated throughout the generations,” the lawmakers wrote.
“In this difficult time, when the progress we have made on women’s equality, reproductive rights, and the protection of LGBTQ + is threatened, your decision to finalize the ERA certificate would be a powerful statement to the nation and the world: that the United States. States is committed to ensuring equality for all, regardless of sex.”
The amendment was approved by the House in 1971 and the Senate in 1972. As of January 27, 2020, the ERA satisfied the requirements of Article 5 of the Constitution for adoption – after Virginia became the required 38th state to ratify the ERA.
But the proposal to add to the Constitution is facing a shift in the first administration of President-Mr. Trump to not meet the requirements of time.
Biden signed support for the ERA through 2023 on August 26, Women’s Equality Day.
“I have always supported the ERA since I first ran for office – and it is long past time to listen to the wishes of the American people and make this Amendment a law of the land. No one should be discriminated against based on their age – and we as a country must strengthen and protect the full equality of women,” he said in a statement.
“As we observe Women’s Equality Day, I continue to urge Congress to act quickly to ensure the passage of the ERA and affirm the fundamental truth that all Americans should have equal rights and protections under the law,” she added.
Bush and others say it’s time for Biden to act on his beliefs.
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