Congressman Cohen Votes to Extend the Deadline for Approving the Equal Rights Amendment and to Pass the Violence Against Women Act

Press Release

Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), Chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties today voted for, and the House passed, an extension of the deadline to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) and a reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. Congressman Cohen presided at the first hearing on the Equal Rights Amendment in 36 years in May of 2019, and he has been a longtime and consistent supporter of gender equality.

In a floor speech today before the votes, Congressman Cohen said:

"Congress created the limitation on years for passage of the ERA and Congress can change it and Congress should change it…Every woman should have the same rights as men. They don't get paid the same. They are discriminated against in the workplace. They are harassed. They are abused. They should have equal rights. That has not occurred in America and won't happen until we pass this bill. I favor its passage and appreciate the spirit in which it is offered."

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