Cunningham Votes to Facilitate Ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment

Statement

Rep. Joe Cunningham (SC-01) today voted to pass H.J. Res. 79, bipartisan legislation that would remove the 1982 deadline Congress previously set for the States to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), ensuring recent ratifications by Nevada, Illinois, and Virginia are given full effect and paving the way forward for passage of this historic amendment.

The ERA would enshrine the fundamental principle that equality of rights under the law should not be denied or abridged on account of sex. It would provide additional tools to help reach the goal of equal status for women under the law and provide a single, national baseline protection against sex discrimination. Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Murkowski (R-AK) have introduced a companion joint resolution in the U.S. Senate.

"Nearly a full century after the ERA was first proposed, American women are still subject to pay disparities, pregnancy discrimination, and uneven protections against other forms of discrimination. It is long past due that our Constitution recognize women are equal to men under the law," said Rep. Joe Cunningham. "A vote for the ERA is a vote for equality, and I'm proud to help pass this resolution to facilitate the ratification of the ERA."

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