Friday, March 11, 2011

Congress to consider removing deadline to ratify ERA

Baldwin Aims to Ratify ERA

On Tuesday, Rep. Tammy Baldwin (R-WI) introduced a bill to speed ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment. The legislation (H.J. Res. 47) would remove the deadline for ratification and render the Constitution amended once three additional states ratify. The last congressional deadline for state ratification ran out in 1982 with ratification from only 35 of the needed 38 state legislatures. 
Antonin Scalia in 2010.Image via Wikipedia

Highlighting the continued importance of ratifying ERA, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia recently noted his belief  that the Constitution does not currently prevent discrimination on the basis of sex.

AAUW is one of over 25 organizations to have endorsed Baldwin’s bill, consistent with our 2009-2011 Public Policy Program
. We oppose all forms of discrimination and support constitutional protection for the civil rights of all individuals. 

This is an excerpt from this week's issue of Washington Update, an internal communication for public policy leaders and members of the American Association of University Women. 
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