Press Release

November 6, 2019
Cardin Statement on the Equal Rights Amendment
"Today, we celebrate Virginians who are one step closer to making their state the 38th state, the final state needed, to complete ratification."

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), lead Senate sponsor of a resolution to remove the deadline for ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, issued the following statement on the building momentum for ERA ratification by the states.

“We will ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). The question is no longer if, but when. Today, we celebrate Virginians who are one step closer to making their state the 38th state, the final state needed, to complete ratification. Most Americans are surprised to learn that the ERA is not already part of the U.S. Constitution. Ratification of the ERA would expressly prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in the U.S. Constitution, and we’re paying a heavy price as a society for not already establishing these protections. 

“As we approach the centennial anniversary in 2020 of adding women’s suffrage to the Constitution, Congress must now step up to do its job by formally removing the ERA ratification deadline by enacting a bipartisan resolution introduced by myself and Senator Murkowski.” 

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