by Megan Schiffres
A bipartisan resolution to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment in Virginia passed the Senate last Tuesday.
The amendment states simply: “Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex. The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article. This amendment shall take effect two years after the date of ratification.”
Although it’s passed the Senate five times since 2011, the amendment has never cleared the House. Last year the same legislation was left in the House privileges and elections committee and was defeated in the Senate committee on rules.
The resolution to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) was referred to a House privileges and elections subcommittee on Monday, January 21. The subcommittee chairman, District 99 Del. Margaret Ransone, says she will not support the ratification of the ERA in Virginia.
“I’ve always voted no on the amendment,” said Del. Ransone.
The ERA was approved by Congress in 1972, but in order…
