ACTION ALERT: Urge the House to Vote Yes for the ERA (H.J. Res. 17)

DATE:  March 16, 2021 

Urge the House to Vote Yes for H.J. Res. 17 Removing the Time Limit on the ERA 

BACKGROUND 

THE ISSUE:  Now that 38 states have ratified the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), it needs to finally be enshrined in the U.S. Constitution because it would guarantee equal legal rights regardless of sex – ending unjust legal distinctions between men and women in divorce, property, employment, and other matters. Every member of the House should vote for the bi-partisan legislation (H.J. Res. 17) sponsored by Rep. Jackie Speier (D-C.A.) with Rep. Tom Reed (R- N.Y.) that would remove the arbitrary deadline in the 1972 legislation. 

WHY IT MATTERS:  Pervasive gender discrimination prevails in American society, which is evident in wage disparities, sexual violence, and unequal representation in electoral politics. Recent polling shows overwhelming support – regardless of political party — of a constitutional guarantee of equality between women and men. Nearly all developed nations have equal rights provisions in law or their constitutions; it is the United States that has fallen behind in assuring equal rights for all. 

THE STATUS: The Constitution provides that amendments take effect when three-quarters of US states ratify them, putting the current threshold at 38 states. Virginia became the 38th state to ratify the ERA in January 2020. Unfortunately, there are still hurdles for ERA, a federal district judge ruled earlier this month that the recent ratification votes by three states – Nevada, Illinois, and Virginia – were null because the deadline in the ERA was effective. Now it is up to the American people to urge their Representatives to remove the arbitrary deadline, so that ERA can be a part of the Constitution.  All eyes are on Congress today (3/16) as the debate in the House begins and Wednesday (3/17) as passage of the deadline removal legislation goes to a vote.  

TAKE ACTION 

WHAT CAN I DO? Make sure this resolution gets much needed bi-partisan support by contacting your member of the House Representative, voicing your support of the ERA, and urging them to ensure its arbitrary deadline gets removed.  

HOW DO I DO IT? Call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and be connected to your Representative‘s office. Here is a directory of current Representatives where you can find their websites and ways to contact them online. Check out this list of members of the House Representatives that we need to vote YES to see if your Representative is on it- urge them to show their support for H.J. 17 now. Even if your Representative is not on this list, it is important that every member hears from their constituents. 

WHAT DO I SAY?  “I am calling to urge Representative [NAME] to vote in favor of the Equal Rights Amendment and show their support for permanent and real legal rights regardless of sex. Removing the arbitrary deadline in the 1972 legislation of the ERA is the critical step needed to allow the equity and protection of all sexes to be supported by the letter of the law for ALL constituents of [STATE].” 

SPREAD THE WORD 

Contacting your representatives is just a start. Help us keep the conversation going by spreading the word on social media and urging others to take action. You can find their Twitter handles here and below are some sample social media posts you can use: 

  • TY @RepSpeier & @RepTomReed and others for co-sponsoring #ERA time limit removal bill. This is our last chance to ask House members to vote YES on HJ 17 before Wednesday #ERAYES  
  • This is our last chance to take action on the #ERA time limit removal bull before it hits the House floor on Wednesday [@RepHandle], please vote for #HJRes17 #ERA21 #ERAYES 

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES