For the first time in history, identical Joint Resolutions have been introduced in both the House and the Senate, removing the time limit and affirming that the Equal Rights Amendment ratification “is valid to all intents and purposes as part of the United States Constitution having been ratified by the legislatures of 3/4ths of the required states.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer brought the Senate Joint Resolution affirming the ERA is ratified to a historic vote. With 98 Senators present, 51 Democrats voted in favor of the resolution. This number would be 53 with Senator Feinstein present and without Senator Schumer switching his vote to the prevailing side. Due to procedural rules, Schumer, a strong supporter of the ERA, changed his vote to join the Republicans at the last minute to ensure that he will be able to bring the resolution up again in this session of Congress. Despite the two Republican co-sponsors, Senators Collins (ME) and Murkowski (AK), 46 Republicans voted against the resolution. Senator Murkowski spoke strongly in favor of the ERA both at the hearing preceding the vote and on the Senate floor. She is hopeful that more Republicans will join her before the session is over. Filibuster rules are currently blocking the belief of the majority that the ERA is ratified as part of the Constitution.
This result was expected as the main purpose of this vote was to have every Senator on record either voting for or against the Equal Rights Amendment. We will be able to hold them accountable for their vote in the next election. “It has been exactly 100 years since the first ERA was proposed in Congress. American women cannot afford to wait 100 more,” Schumer said. Not a single Republican rose to speak against the resolution in the Senate, exhibiting the strength of the polls and majority. In a powerful show of support for the ERA, Congresswomen Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) and Cori Bush (MO-01) marched alongside members of the ERA Caucus and Democratic Women’s Caucus to the Senate chamber to demand passage of the Senate Resolution.
The Feminist Majority applauds Senate Majority Leader Schumer for his procedural skills and endless dedication to the Equal Rights Amendment. Go to www.sign4era.org to add your name to the petition and show your support for the ERA to keep this momentum going!