From the State Capitol in Richmond, I’m Craig Carper.
Today the House and Senate both passed the federal Equal Rights Amendment with unanimous support from Democrats and 11 Republicans.
Democrats say the proposed amendment, banning sex discrimination is the best way to ensure equality under the law.
Democratic Delegate Jennifer Carrol Foy of Prince William. ERA House Patron.
“There is only one way to spell equality and that is simply E…R…A! (Applause)”
Republican opponents have long argued that the Equal Rights Amendment is unnecessary for women to be legally equal to men.
Republican Senator Amanda Chase of Chesterfield.
“The ERA does nothing for true equality of women but uses women as a political pawn to push the liberal agenda.”
The identical resolutions must now cross over to the opposite chamber before they can go to federal officials for Constitutional ratification. The U.S. Justice Department has said that Virginia has missed a1982 deadline. A bill currently before congress would eliminate that deadline. In the meantime a legal battle is certain.
For Assembly 20, I’m Craig Carper.