OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Removing Deadline for Ratification of Equal Rights Amendment

Floor Speech

Date: Feb. 13, 2020
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Women Civil Liberties and Civil Rights

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, 28 days ago on Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday, Virginia became the 38th State to ratify the ERA. After decades of struggle, 48 years after congressional passage, two-thirds of the States agreed to an amendment that secures equal rights for all American citizens regardless of sex. This amendment would touch every corner of our lives.

With 24 words our Nation will finally fully recognize women as equal participants in society.

To my colleagues opposing the ERA: What are you afraid of?

How can you oppose this resolution and then look women in your district, in your churches, and in your own homes in the eye?

Today is your chance to stand on the right side of her story. I implore my colleagues, vote ``yes'' on H.J. Res. 79. Let us finish this struggle and at long last have women and men finally equal under the law with their rights enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT


Source
arrow_upward