ERA deadline; elimination; urging Congress
The bill challenges the imposition of time limits on constitutional amendments, asserting that the process for ratification as defined in the Constitution does not inherently include such limits. It highlights the necessity of removing the deadline to facilitate potential ratifications from the remaining states that have not yet endorsed the ERA. As Arizona moves to support this memorial, it also emphasizes the growing momentum among states that have recently ratified the amendment, reflecting a shift in public opinion regarding women's rights.
HCM2005 is a concurrent memorial introduced by several members of the Arizona Legislature, urging the United States Congress to remove the deadline for ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). The ERA aims to enshrine gender equality and establish a national legal standard against sex discrimination in the Constitution. Originally drafted by suffragist Alice Paul and introduced in Congress in 1923, the ERA garnered significant support over decades, achieving a two-thirds vote in both Houses of Congress by 1972. However, a seven-year deadline was established for its state ratifications, which ended before the amendment could be fully ratified by 38 states as required.
Significant contention surrounds the implementation of HCM2005, particularly from those who argue that procedural timelines for amendments serve important legal and parliamentary functions. Critics may counter that removing the deadline could open floodgates for unresolved amendments, complicating legislative processes. Supporters, however, view the removal of the deadline as a critical step toward achieving gender equality, emphasizing that delaying or declining ratification does not negate the need for constitutional protections for women.
HCM2005 reflects a broader cultural and legislative push toward gender equality in the United States. By advocating for the removal of the ERA ratification deadline, Arizona positions itself as part of a national dialogue on women's rights and equality, potentially influencing other states to reconsider their positions on the ERA.