A joint resolution removing the deadline for the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment.

Bill 118 SJRes 4 is a joint resolution that aims to remove the deadline for the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). The ERA is a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution that would guarantee equal rights under the law regardless of sex.

The ERA was first introduced in Congress in 1923 and was finally passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate in 1972. However, in order to become a part of the Constitution, the ERA needed to be ratified by three-fourths of the states within a seven-year deadline. This deadline was later extended to 1982, but by that time only 35 states had ratified the amendment, falling short of the required 38 states.

Bill 118 SJRes 4 seeks to remove the deadline for ratification, allowing states to continue to ratify the ERA without being bound by a time limit. Proponents of the bill argue that the ERA is necessary to ensure equal rights for all Americans, regardless of gender, and that removing the deadline is a crucial step in achieving gender equality. Opponents of the bill argue that the ERA is unnecessary and could have unintended consequences, such as impacting abortion rights and changing the legal definition of gender. However, supporters maintain that the ERA is a vital protection against discrimination based on sex and that removing the deadline is a necessary step in ensuring equal rights for all Americans. Overall, Bill 118 SJRes 4 is a significant piece of legislation that has the potential to impact the rights of women and gender equality in the United States. It will be important to monitor the progress of this bill and the ongoing debate surrounding the ERA and its ratification.