Senator Collins Co-Sponsors Bipartisan Resolution to Remove the ERA Deadline, Finalize Ratification

Press Release

U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) joined a bipartisan group of colleagues in co-sponsoring a resolution that would remove the deadline to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). The ERA would expressly prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in the Constitution. Last month, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bicameral counterpart to remove the ERA deadline.

"It has been nearly 50 years since Congress passed the ERA with overwhelming support from both sides of the aisle," said Senator Collins. "Maine ratified the Equal Rights Amendment in 1974, and now 38 states have done the same. The ERA will ensure that equality under the law will not be denied or abridged on account of a person's sex. Congress should remove this roadblock that could impede the full ratification of the ERA."

Congress has the authority under Article V of the Constitution to set and change deadlines for the ratification of constitutional amendments, and has done so on numerous occasions. In 1992, the 27th Amendment to the Constitution, prohibiting immediate congressional pay raises, was successfully ratified after 203 years. It was initially proposed as part of the original Bill of Rights in 1789.

The bipartisan resolution was introduced by Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and it was also co-sponsored by Senator Bob Casey (D-PA).

Source