By Matthew Hay Brown
The Baltimore Sun
U.S. Senate Democrats plan to reintroduce the Equal Rights Amendment.
“Many Americans would be shocked to find out that the U.S. Constitution still lacks a provision ensuring gender equality,” Sen Ben Cardin, D-Md., said in a statement. “Think about that: in 2017, women lack the same constitutional protections as men. This is clearly wrong and needs permanent correction.”
Cardin joined the primary sponsor, Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey, and co-sponsors Cory Booker, of New Jersey D-N.J., Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, Chris Coons, D-Del., Dianne Feinstein of California, Kirsten Gillibrand of New York and Ed Markey of Massachusetts in reintroducing the constitutional amendment first proposed in 1923.
A 28th amendment to the Constitution would guarantee 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.”
Congress approved the amendment in 1972 and set a seven-year deadline for ratification.
In an early battle of the modern-day culture wars, opponents argued that the amendment would upset traditional gender roles, and subject women to the military draft.
Thirty-five states ratified the amendment, short of the two thirds required for passage. Attempts in recent years to revive it — by reintroducing it, or extending the deadline — have been unsuccessful.
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