Equal Rights Amendment
“How a nation treats its women is a barometer of success. Equality for American women is long overdue.”
One of my highest priorities is finalizing ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) so that we finally guarantee in our Constitution that men and women are equal under the law. There should be no time limit on equality and, for years, I have led the Senate fight to remove the arbitrary deadline for ratification. While we celebrate America’s first female Vice President, our nation is held back as the only modern constitution that fails to enshrine full equality for both men and women.
Most Americans are surprised to learn that the ERA is not already part of the U.S. Constitution – 3 out of 4 think it should be included.
The current resolution (S.J.Res.1) has more than 50 bipartisan cosponsors. The required 38 states have now ratified the ERA. The House has passed legislation eliminating the deadline for ratification. Now it is up to the Senate to remove any obstacles to certifying the ERA as the 28ᵗʰ amendment. More than 100 years after women fought for and earned the right to vote, our progress as a nation is incomplete unless all women are able to achieve freedom and equality.
