Biden says ‘Equal Rights Amendment’ is ‘law of the land’

[Michie]

President Joe Biden on Friday proclaimed that the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) — a long-debated constitutional measure that some critics have argued could legalize abortion nationwide — is “the law of the land,” a declaration that appeared to carry no legal weight but which could set off a protracted political and legal fight for the incoming Trump administration.

The amendment holds that “equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.” It was first proposed over a century ago in 1923. It has been championed by advocates in the decades since and has been ratified by numerous states.

Virginia became the 38th state to ratify the amendment in 2020, nominally clearing the necessary threshold of three-fourths of the states needed to amend the U.S. Constitution.

But U.S. Archivist Colleen Shogan — who is officially charged with entering an amendment into the Constitution upon its ratification — has said the amendment failed to pass the congressional deadline that was set by Congress of June 30, 1982.

Continued below.

Biden says ‘Equal Rights Amendment’ is ‘law of the land’

The declaration appeared to carry no legal weight but could set off a protracted political and legal fight for the incoming Trump administration.

www.catholicnewsagency.com

 

[Fantine]

A similar thread indicated it can finally be ratified if Congress and the Courts grant an extension, so hopefully this will be revisited in 2028.

It is long overdue, and it seems obvious that women's rights are moving in the wrong direction.

Let's try not to look at women's rights through wedge issues. It is about so much more than abortion. Fights to end abortion can be continued through the legal process without denying women their right to equality.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

It's not the law of the land and equal rights will be for preferred groups based on gender
and in today's world, how gender is defined will be up to the individual.

Thank God this man is leaving office!

 

[Michie]

Legal experts on Friday criticized President Joe Biden’s apparent attempt to unilaterally ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), with scholars dismissing the move as “unserious” and a “stunt.”

The president on Friday morning proclaimed that the ERA — a long-debated constitutional measure that abortion advocates have said could help legalize abortion nationwide — is “the law of the land.”

Biden’s declaration appeared to carry no legal weight. U.S. Archivist Colleen Shogan — who is officially charged with entering an amendment into the Constitution upon its ratification — has said the amendment failed to make the congressional deadline of June 30, 1982, set by Congress.

Shogan said she “cannot legally publish the Equal Rights Amendment” and that it “cannot be certified as part of the Constitution.”

Continued below.

Experts respond to Biden’s Equal Rights Amendment declaration

The president on Friday proclaimed that the ERA — a measure abortion advocates have said could help legalize abortion nationwide — is “the law of the land.”

www.catholicnewsagency.com