The return of the ERA
What happened to the ERA?
The Equal Rights Amendment was first introduced to Congress in December of 1923, and every subsequent session of congress through 1970. After almost five decades of being constantly buried in committee, the ERA finally got put to a vote by the full House of Representatives in 1971, where it passed, and then the Senate in 1972.
The passing of this historic amendment by Congress, however, was insufficient for the constitution to be changed. It needed to be ratified by 38 of 50 States, and though the deadline for this to happen would be extended by three years, by 1982 it failed and was left for dead.
Over the next three plus decades the amendment has still seen occasional action, but no significant forward motion. Despite the best efforts of certain organizations and individuals, it has yet to completely disappear from the political or social landscape of the United States.
The ERA exists in the Senate today. On March 5, 2013, Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey reintroduced the Equal Rights Amendment in the 113th Congress as S.J. Res 10.
What exactly DOES the Equal Rights Amendment say, anyhow? It is stunningly simple.
Article–
Section 1. Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.
Section 2. The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.
Section 3. This article shall take effect 2 years after the date of ratification.
Simple, yes…and yet incredibly important. This amendment would have a profound effect on the ability of individual states to continue to make clearly sexist and gender biased laws.
I would, however, suggest that it go further. Equal rights should not just be set out for men and women. They should go on to also provide equality for any gender identification, skin color or sexual orientation.
We the people need to demand that not only does the 114th Congress once more take up the Equal Rights Amendment, but take it up to include as follows:
Article–
Section 1. Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex, gender, skin color, faith or sexual orientation.
Section 2. The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.
Section 3. This article shall take effect 1 year after the date of ratification.
We need to insist that Congress take action, and guarantee equal rights for everyone across our nation, no matter what differences there are between us. It is not just equality needed between men and women, equality needs to exist between EVERYONE.
It is time that the federal government take this step, and stop the individual states from continuing to execute laws that further the inequality of the people of this nation. For a country that once prided itself on being a “melting pot”, where once we furthered our unity, increasingly we are seeing examples of widening our divisions.
If the United States Congress is truly still a body that is created BY the people, FOR the people, then it is time that they show it. Enough with partisan politics, enough with the constant infighting and accomplishing nothing unless is guarantees reelection – we the people need to entreat Congress to truly represent us ALL. I believe that the ERA may be the perfect means to do exactly that.
I call upon our so-called representatives to do their jobs, and represent us. Not just the “us” who can pay for your campaigns. Pass the expanded ERA, and then send it to the states to put on the ballots in 2016, and let’s show the world we are still living up to the ideals we hold so dear.
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