Democrats Push Biden to Ratify Equal Rights Amendment Amid Legal Hurdles
In a renewed push for gender equality, top Democratic lawmakers are urging President Joe Biden to formally recognize the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) as the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, despite facing ongoing legal and political roadblocks.
In a letter sent to the White House, dozens of House and Senate Democrats argued that the ERA’s ratification is long overdue, citing its importance for ensuring equal rights regardless of sex. They emphasized that the amendment has met the constitutional threshold of ratification by 38 states, even as critics contend the process expired decades ago.
“Equality for women cannot wait another generation,” the letter declared. “We are calling on President Biden to use his authority to affirm what the majority of Americans support: equality under the law for everyone.”
The ERA, first proposed a century ago, faced renewed momentum in recent years, with Nevada, Illinois, and Virginia becoming the final states to ratify it after decades of stagnation. However, legal disputes over a 1982 congressional deadline for ratification have cast doubt on its adoption.
While the Biden administration has expressed support for the ERA, the Department of Justice previously concluded that Congress would need to act to address the expired deadline. Advocates argue that the deadline is non-binding and that the amendment should stand on its merits.
The Democrats’ push comes as gender equality remains a contentious issue, with the ERA serving as a rallying cry for advocates seeking stronger legal protections against gender-based discrimination. Whether Biden will take executive action remains uncertain, but the debate over the ERA underscores the enduring fight for constitutional equality.
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