A coalition of over 100 members, letter On Sunday, he urged President Biden to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, which outlaws sex discrimination in the Constitution.
“We must continue to work to fully affirm and recognize the equality of rights for all people, regardless of gender, as part of our Constitution. This is an important and urgent undertaking that has never been more urgent.” wrote the members of Congress.
“This action is essential as we prepare for the transition to a regime that has been openly hostile to reproductive freedom, access to health care, and LGBTQIA+ rights.”
Rep. Cori Bush (D-Missouri) and Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus for the Equal Rights Amendment, have long urged Biden to do more under the law. He has advocated for action to enact equal rights. .
They cited concerns about gender-affirming medical care requested by transgender minors and expanding state abortion bans as reasons for the president to ratify the amendment.
“We believe that ratifying the ERA will not only fulfill the promise of equality enshrined in our founding documents, but will also be a defining accomplishment of our presidency, one that will resonate for generations.” wrote.
“At this critical moment, when the progress we have made on gender equality, reproductive rights, and LGBTQ+ protections are under threat, your decisive action to finalize the ERA’s certification will help the nation. It would be a powerful statement to the world that countries are committed to ensuring equality for all people, regardless of gender.”
This amendment was approved by the House of Representatives in 1971 and the Senate in 1972. As of January 27, 2020, the ERA meets the ratification requirements of Article V of the Constitution, as Virginia became the 38th state to ratify the ERA.
However, this proposed addition to the Constitution faced opposition during President-elect Trump's first administration, as it did not meet deadline requirements.
Biden announced his support for the 2023 ERA on Women's Equality Day, August 26th.
“While I have long supported the ERA since I first ran for public office, it is long past time to listen to the will of the American people and make this amendment the law of the land. “They should not be discriminated against on the basis of gender and we as a nation must affirm and protect the full equality of women,” he said in a statement.
“As we mark Women’s Equality Day, I urge Congress to act quickly to ratify the ERA and affirm the fundamental truth that all Americans should have equal rights and protections under the law. We continue to urge them to take action.”
Mr. Bush and others say it is time for Mr. Biden to act on these beliefs.
