Biden Declares Equal Rights Amendment “Law of the Land” Despite Ratification Challenges

U.S. President Joe Biden recently proclaimed the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) as “the law of the land,” asserting that it has cleared all necessary hurdles for inclusion in the U.S. Constitution, Reuters reported. This statement comes as Biden prepares to leave office, handing over to President-elect Donald Trump.

The ERA, which states 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,” was first proposed in 1923 and passed by Congress in 1972. However, it has not received ratification from the required 38 states, with only 35 states having done so by the 1982 deadline. Virginia became the 38th state to ratify the amendment in 2020, but opponents argue that the deadline has passed, making the amendment invalid.

The White House’s announcement follows a statement from the National Archivist, which indicated it could not certify the ERA due to the lack of sufficient state approvals. Supporters of the amendment contend it is essential for protecting against sexual discrimination and ensuring equal pay for women. Conversely, critics maintain that the original timeframe for ratification has elapsed and question the necessity of the amendment.