Biden Declares Equal Rights Amendment Ratified, Citing Three States' Approvals After 50 Years of Support

Jan 17, 2025, 02:57 PM

President Joe Biden has announced his belief that the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) should be considered a ratified addition to the U.S. Constitution. This declaration comes shortly before he leaves office and follows recent approvals of the amendment by three states, which Biden argues fulfills the necessary requirements for ratification. While he has long supported the ERA, stating that no one should face discrimination based on sex, White House officials clarified that he does not have a formal role in the ratification process and is not directing the archivist to take action on this matter. The archivist has indicated that Congress must act for the amendment to be formally published, placing Biden's announcement in the context of an ongoing legal and constitutional debate regarding gender equality.