Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HJR25

Introduced
1/31/23  

Caption

Removing the deadline for the ratification of the equal rights amendment.

Impact

If passed, HJR25 could potentially have significant implications for state laws concerning gender equality. By affirming the validity of the ERA, states would be encouraged to adopt more robust protections against gender-based discrimination. This could lead to changes in state-level statutes and enforcement mechanisms that address issues of pay equity, reproductive rights, and workplace discrimination, thus contributing to a more inclusive legal framework for women's rights across the nation.

Summary

HJR25 is a joint resolution that seeks to remove the deadline imposed on the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), which was originally proposed in 1972. The resolution asserts that the amendment should be considered valid once ratified by three-fourths of the states, regardless of any previous time limits established by Congress. This initiative reflects continuing efforts toward gender equality and ensuring that protections against discrimination based on sex are enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.

Contention

However, the resolution has sparked notable debate among legislators. Supporters argue that removing the deadline is a necessary step towards fulfilling the promises of the ERA, emphasizing the importance of gender equality in modern society. Critics, on the other hand, raise concerns about the implications of retroactive ratification and question whether the amendment is still relevant in the current political and social climate. There are also concerns regarding the process of amending the Constitution and whether past state ratifications should still hold under new interpretations of the original amendment timeline.

Companion Bills

US SJR4

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

Previously Filed As

US HJR82

Expressing the sense of Congress that the article of amendment commonly known as the "Equal Rights Amendment" has been validly ratified and is enforceable as the Twenty-Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution, and the Archivist of the United States must certify and publish the Equal Rights Amendment as the Twenty-Eighth Amendment without delay.

US SJR4

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

US HJR80

Establishing the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment.

US HR1483

Providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 25) removing the deadline for the ratification of the equal rights amendment.

US SJR39

A joint resolution expressing the sense of Congress that the article of amendment commonly known as the "Equal Rights Amendment" has been validly ratified and is enforceable as the 28th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, and the Archivist of the United States must certify and publish the Equal Rights Amendment as the 28th Amendment without delay.

US HR150

Honoring the life and legacy of John Robert Lewis and commending John Robert Lewis for his towering achievements in the nonviolent struggle for civil rights.

US HB17

Paycheck Fairness Act This bill addresses wage discrimination on the basis of sex, which is defined to include pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics. Specifically, it limits an employer's defense that a pay differential is based on a factor other than sex to only bona fide job-related factors in wage discrimination claims, enhances nonretaliation prohibitions, and makes it unlawful to require an employee to sign a contract or waiver prohibiting the employee from disclosing information about the employee's wages. The bill also increases civil penalties for violations of equal pay provisions. Additionally, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs must train EEOC employees and other affected parties on wage discrimination. The bill directs the Department of Labor to (1) establish and carry out a grant program to provide training in negotiation skills related to compensation and equitable working conditions, (2) conduct studies to eliminate pay disparities between men and women, and (3) make available information on wage discrimination to assist the public in understanding and addressing such discrimination. The bill establishes the National Award for Pay Equity in the Workplace for an employer who has made a substantial effort to eliminate pay disparities between men and women. It also establishes the National Equal Pay Enforcement Task Force to address compliance, public education, and enforcement of equal pay laws. Finally, the bill requires the EEOC to issue regulations for collecting from employers compensation and other employment data according to the sex, race, and national origin of employees for use in enforcing laws prohibiting pay discrimination.

US HB1838

Global Health, Empowerment and Rights Act

US HB15

Equality Act This bill prohibits discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity with respect to businesses, employment, housing, federally funded programs, and other settings. Specifically, the bill expands Title II and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit public accommodations and federally funded programs, respectively, from discriminating based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity. It also includes stores, transit services, recreational facilities, and establishments that provide health care, accounting, or legal services as public accommodations under Title II. The bill also expands Title IV (desegregation of public schools) and Title VII (employment discrimination) to specifically include sexual orientation and gender identity. (The Supreme Court held in Bostock v. Clayton County that Title VII's prohibition of employment discrimination based on sex also prohibits employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.) The bill similarly expands the Fair Housing Act (discrimination in public and private housing) to include sexual orientation and gender identity. It also prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity by creditors and with respect to jury selection. The bill defines sex for purposes of the aforementioned provisions to include sex stereotypes, pregnancy, childbirth, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics.

US HB5293

Youth Voting Rights Act

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.