Wednesday, March 17, 2021 – (New York, NY) – The ERA (Equal Rights Amendment) Coalition and the Fund for Women’s Equality (FFWE) today celebrated the bipartisan passage of H.J. Resolution 17, legislation that removes the time limit to ratify the equal rights amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The ERA Coalition livestreamed throughout the floor speeches and vote with appearances by Chairman Nadler (D-N.Y) and Rep. Speier (D.-Calif.) along with advocates and coalition partners. Following the vote of 222-204, the Coalition released the following statements:
Carol Jenkins, CEO and President of the ERA Coalition/Fund for Women’s Equality said: “The House’s quick, bipartisan passage of the time limit removal bill on the Equal Rights Amendment shows that women’s equality is a priority for this Congress, and that it should not have a time limit. We’re grateful to Representatives Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) and Tom Reed (R-N.Y.) for their co-sponsorship, and to Speaker Pelosi (D-Calif.) for her leadership in getting this through the House. We’re looking forward to our next step on the way to equality for all – passage in the Senate.”
Rep. Jackie Speier, Co-Chair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus said: “Today, the House of Representatives sent a strong message with its vote to pass my bipartisan resolution to facilitate the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment. Members from both sides of the aisle, including our inimitable Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, took a stand against more than 200 years of sex discrimination and affirmed that there can be no expiration date on equality. Once again, we have made it clear that progress and justice cannot be stopped and that righteousness still prevails in our proud democracy. For those who still question the need for the ERA, they need look no further than the gender wage gap that continues to keep women and families from achieving their full potential, pregnancy discrimination that forces women out of the workforce, persistent and insidious violations of the rights of survivors, and more. Now is the time for the Archivist – acting under a new Administration dedicated to advancing equality and equity for all Americans – to certify the ERA and for our Constitution to finally recognize women’s equality under the law.”
Steve Andersson, Executive Director of GOP4ERA said: “With the passage of HJR 17, removing the arbitrary deadline on the Equal Rights Amendment, we mark a critical step forward and away from the days where the Constitution is silent as to the rights of all people regardless of sex! As Republicans for the ERA, we celebrate this bipartisan moment and thank Representative Reed and the other GOP members who have supported this bill.”
Kimberly Peeler-Allen, ERA Coalition board chair said: “It’s past time for a true, living equality for women of color and all women in this country. This House vote gets us one step closer to that ultimate goal. As we look forward to a vote in the Senate, we’re grateful for the work of Representatives Speier (D-Calif.) and Reed (R-N.Y.), and for the leadership of Speaker Pelosi (D-Calif.) in getting this bill to the floor.”
Dr. Deborah Turner, President of the League of Women Voters said: “Since the 1970s, the League of Women Voters has fought to make the ERA a part of our nation’s Constitution. Today, during Women’s History Month, we celebrate an important step forward in achieving equality among the sexes. The ERA will ensure equal rights for all, regardless of sex, allowing the courts to scrutinize and strike down sex-based discrimination. We urge the Senate to follow the House and remove the deadline for the Equal Rights Amendment. There is no deadline on equality.”
Elise Bryant, Executive Director of Labor Heritage said: “Sojourner Truth was among the women who met in Akron, Ohio to demand equal rights for women in 1851. 170 years later we are still waiting for the passage of the ERA. As the saying goes, ‘justice delayed is justice denied.’ 170 years is a long time, but the time for justice and passage of the ERA will not expire! The Coalition of Labor Union Women join with women across the U.S. to thank our members of Congress for passing HJ Res 17, the bill to remove the time limit from the ERA. Equal rights for women means justice for all.”
