‘It is now or never’; millions of women want President Biden to do this before he leaves office

Key Takeaways:

• Activists urge President Biden to certify the ERA before leaving office.
• The ERA would enshrine gender equality and reproductive rights in the Constitution.
• Despite sufficient state ratifications, the ERA remains uncertified.
• Political leaders like Senator Gillibrand support immediate certification.
• The ERA has been a century-long struggle for gender equality.

As President Joe Biden’s term approaches its end, a fervent call echoes across the nation: certify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) now. Among those leading the charge is Stapleton resident Lorie Honor, who questions why Biden wouldn’t seize this historic opportunity.

A Century-Long Journey

Written in 1923, the ERA promised equal rights for women, laying the groundwork for gender equality in the United States. It wasn’t until 1972 that Congress proposed adding it to the Constitution. However, the amendment faced hurdles, failing to secure ratification from three-quarters of the states by the 1982 deadline.

Yet, advocates persisted. States continued to ratify the ERA, and in 2020, Virginia became the pivotal 38th state to approve it, seemingly fulfilling the constitutional requirement.

Obstacles to Certification

Despite meeting the necessary ratifications, the ERA remains uncertified. In early 2020, then-President Donald Trump instructed the archivist not to publish the amendment. This action stalled the ERA’s progression into law.

“Executive permission has to be granted,” Honor explained. “But at this point, it’s like a formality.”

The Activists’ Plea

Honor, co-founder of Staten Island Women Who March and chief of staff for Vote Equality, is among the many urging Biden to act. “We’re letting this teeny, tiny, frightened, male-centered minority dictate to the health and welfare of millions and millions of Americans,” she asserted.

Vote Equality, a national organization, focuses on highlighting the absence of gender equality in the U.S. Constitution. Activists believe that certifying the ERA would provide essential safeguards for women’s rights, especially in a time when reproductive rights face significant challenges.

Political Support Gathers Momentum

Prominent politicians have joined the chorus. “President Biden has always been an advocate for women, and there is no better way to cement his legacy as president than to certify the Equal Rights Amendment,” stated New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand during a recent press conference.

She emphasized the urgency, noting, “Today, more than half of all Americans do not have equal protection under the law and do not have access to the full range of reproductive care.”

New York City Council Member Julie Menin echoed these sentiments, highlighting the ERA’s role as a “critical safeguard for women’s rights.” She urged, “At this critical juncture, we all have a responsibility to the women who came before us to not only uphold and protect the rights secured but to advance and institutionalize these rights in our government.”

The Significance of the ERA Today

Certifying the ERA would enshrine gender equality and reproductive rights in the Constitution. Its provisions would render sex-based distinctions in access to reproductive care unconstitutional, potentially invalidating abortion bans that discriminate based on sex.

Kate Kelly of the Center for American Progress emphasized, “It cannot ever truly be the ‘people’s constitution’ until it reflects all of us.”

Biden’s Potential Legacy

In a previous White House memo, Biden expressed his long-standing support: “I have been a strong supporter of the ERA ever since I first ran for the Senate as a 29-year-old.”

Activists now await his decisive action. “It is now or never,” Kelly remarked, encapsulating the urgency felt by many.

As the clock ticks, the question lingers: Will President Biden seize this moment to solidify his legacy and enshrine equality for future generations?