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A resolution recognizing the expiration of the Equal Rights Amendment proposed by Congress in March 1972, and observing that Congress has no authority to modify a resolution proposing a constitutional amendment after the amendment has been submitted to the States or after the amendment has expired.
12/15/2023, 4:04 PM
Summary of Bill SRES 107
The ERA was a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution that aimed to guarantee equal rights under the law regardless of sex. Despite being passed by Congress in 1972, the ERA failed to be ratified by the required number of states before the deadline set by Congress.
The resolution serves as a reminder that once a constitutional amendment has been submitted to the States or has expired, Congress cannot make any changes to it. This reaffirms the importance of following the constitutional process for amending the Constitution and respecting the decisions made by the States in regards to proposed amendments. Overall, Bill 118 sres 107 is a factual and non-partisan recognition of the expiration of the ERA and a reminder of the limitations on Congress's authority in amending proposed constitutional amendments.
Congressional Summary of SRES 107
This resolution recognizes that Congress may not modify a resolution to amend the Constitution once it is submitted to the states for ratification or after its ratification deadline expires. The resolution further recognizes that the deadline for the Equal Rights Amendment expired, and so that amendment may not become part of the Constitution unless Congress reinitiates the entire amendment process outlined in Article V of the Constitution.
The Equal Rights Amendment guarantees equal rights and equality under the law regardless of sex. Congress approved it for ratification by the states in 1972, but only 35 states ratified it (out of the 38 needed) before the statutory deadline expired in 1982. However, an additional three states ratified it after the deadline.
