Why We’re Still Fighting for the Equal Rights Amendment
October 09, 2024
Our sincere thanks to every one of the thousands of you who signed our petition to the U.S. Senate. Yesterday we delivered the petition to the Senate Judiciary Committee--and today issued the statement below to urgently request consideration of the bill to remove the time limit on the ERA.
We are committed to achieving equality, to publishing the Equal Rights Amendment in the U.S. Constitution and are so grateful for your participation and your support.
THE ERA COALITION AGAIN CALLS ON SENATE TO REMOVE TIME LIMIT FOR RATIFICATION
Supports Cardin/Murkowski resolution; Delivers thousands of signatures to Judiciary Chairman Graham and Ranking Member Feinstein
For Immediate Release --
Contact: Lupe Todd-Medina: Lupe@EffectiveMediaStrategies.com; +1 (917) 202-0116
(December 4, 2020) New York, NY -- The ERA (Equal Rights Amendment) Coalition today sent a letter and copy of a petition urging the U.S. Senate to vote on a resolution to remove the time limit to ratify the ERA.
In the letter to Sen. Lindsay Graham, chairman of the Committee of the Judiciary, and Sen. Diane Feinstein, ranking member of the committee, Carol Jenkins, president and CEO of the ERA Coalition said: “Having waged an almost century long campaign to see the ERA ratified in the U.S. Constitution, women have waited far too long for equality in America. With 94% of Americans supporting constitutional sex equality, we believe the ERA can be a great and unifying historical moment, and we look to work with you to make that happen.”
The petition, signed by organizations and thousands of supporters across the country states:
“In January 2020, Virginia voted to become the 38th state to ratify the ERA. With that ratification, the ERA has now satisfied all the requirements set forth in the Constitution. But the Department of Justice has taken the position that the ERA is not valid today, because of a seven-year time limit that Congress inserted in the joint resolution when it proposed the ERA back in 1972. That position is now the subject of federal litigation. In the meantime, though, Congress could resolve the question by voting to change the joint resolution, removing the time limit altogether.”
Kimberly Peeler-Allen, board chair of the ERA Coalition, said: “We are proud to support this bipartisan bill that is co-sponsored by Sen. Ben Cardin and Sen. Lisa Murkowski, whose leadership in seeking broad equality in this country set the tone for the future of every person. The ERA Coalition will provide an equal future for the generations to come.”
The Congress passed HJ Res 79, its version of the bill to remove the time limit on the ERA in February of this year.
Bettina Hager, ERA Coalition DC Director said: “On the Centennial anniversary of Women’s Suffrage, the U.S. Senate had a rare opportunity to make history by removing the time limit on the Equal Rights Amendment. Voting to pass this bipartisan legislation will show its dedication to seeing a more equal and just society for all.”
Onward, and in solidarity,
Carol
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