Federal - H J Res 17

ERA "deadline removal" resolution

Introduced

January 21, 2021

Description

H.J.Res. 17 is a proposal that purports to remove the 7-year ratification deadline that Congress included in the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) resolution submitted to the states in 1972.  The ERA expired in March, 1979, without winning ratification by the required 38 states. However, many ERA supporters now insist that Congress can retroactively "remove" the deadline and thereby make ERA part of the Constitution.  National Right to Life believes that this measure violates the requirements for amending the Constitution, found in Article V of the Constitution.  In addition, NRLC opposes the ERA itself, as currently worded. Numerous pro-abortion groups have admitted they would use the ERA as a pro-abortion legal weapon if it becomes part of the Constitution. A vote in favor of H.J.Res. 17 must be viewed as a vote for its intent, which is to insert language into the U.S. Constitution that could invalidate any limits whatsoever on abortion, including late abortions, and require government funding of abortion.  H.J. Res. 17 was introduced on January 21, 2021, by Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-Ca.).  The Senate companion measure is S.J. Res. 1.  To view documentation on the ERA-abortion connection, and documentation that the 1972 ERA expired in 1979, click here.

Our Position

Oppose

Original Sponsor 1

Co-Sponsors 214

Latest Actions See More/Less

  • April 12, 2021 — K. Brady, R-Texas, House speech: Personal explanation for roll call vote no.82, and would have voted nay if present. Congressional Record p. E373

  • March 23, 2021 — Placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar under the provisions of Rule XIV. Congressional Record p. S1681

  • March 22, 2021 — Taken from the desk and read the first time. Congressional Record p. S1671, S1675

  • March 18, 2021 — Received in the Senate and held at the desk. Congressional Record p. S1643

  • March 17, 2021 — Takano, D-Calif., House speech: Personal explanation for roll call vote no.82, and would have voted yea if present. Congressional Record p. H1476

  • March 17, 2021 — J. Wilson, R-S.C., House speech: Personal explanation for roll call vote no.79, and would have voted nay if present. Congressional Record p. E265

  • March 17, 2021 — J. Wilson, R-S.C., House speech: Personal explanation for roll call vote no.78, and would have voted nay if present. Congressional Record p. E265

  • March 17, 2021 — House Vote 82 Equal Rights Amendment Ratification Deadline — Passage
    Passage of the the joint resolution that would remove the deadline for ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution, which would state that "equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex." The ERA was proposed to the states in 1972, with a seven-year deadline for ratification, which was subsequently extended through June 1982. The joint resolution would make the proposed constitutional amendment valid as part of the Constitution whenever ratified by three-fourths of the states. Passed 222-204. Note: 45 members voted remotely by proxy, pursuant to the provisions of H Res 8 during the public health emergency period related to COVID-19. A simple majority of those present and voting (213 in this case) is required for passage of the joint resolution, pursuant to the provisions of H Res 232. Congressional Record p. H1475-H1476

  • March 17, 2021 — Considered by the House. Congressional Record p. H1419-H1432, H1475-H1476

  • March 17, 2021 — Additional cosponsor(s): 1

    Sablan, (I-N. Marianas)

  • March 16, 2021 — B. Lee, D-Calif., House speech: Personal explanation for roll call vote no.78, and would have voted yea if present. Congressional Record p. H1405

  • March 16, 2021 — House Vote 79 Equal Rights Amendment; Violence Against Women; Legal Residency Status; Undocumented Farm Workers; Prevent Sequestration Cuts — Rule
    Adoption of the rule that would provide for House floor consideration of a joint resolution removing the deadline for the ratification of the equal rights amendment (H J Res 17), the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (HR 1620), the American Dream and Promise Act (HR 6), the Farm Workforce Modernization Act (HR 1603), and a bill related to preventing mandatory spending cuts due to sequestration (HR 1868). The rule would provide for up to one hour of debate on each of the five measures; make in order floor consideration of 41 amendments to HR 1620; and provide for automatic adoption of a Nadler, D-N.Y., manager's amendment to HR 1620 and a Nadler manager's amendment to HR 1603. It would also provide for automatic agreement, upon adoption of the rule, to a resolution (H Res 232) that would require a simple majority affirmative vote in the House for passage of H J Res 17, and it would extend the deadline for committee funding resolutions through April 22, 2021. The Nadler manager's amendment to HR 1620 would modify requirements and increase funding authorized for new programs to require domestic violence training for unemployment compensation personnel and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program personnel, including to authorize including $1 million in fiscal 2022 for grants to develop a training program for unemployment personnel and $8 million annually through fiscal 2026 for program implementation, as well as $1 million in fiscal 2022 and $5 million annually through fiscal 2026 for a similar program for TANF personnel. It would increase from $2 million to $10 million the amount authorized annually for grants to victim service organizations to assist victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault or stalking in underserved populations, and it would require the Justice Department to provide such grants for activities to strengthen the response of criminal and civil justice interventions by providing population-specific training for law enforcement and legal personnel. Among other provisions, it would require that a national public awareness campaign related to the workplace impact of domestic violence and related workplace laws be conducted in a manner equally accessible to people with and without disabilities; express the sense of Congress that sex trafficking victims experience sexual violence and assault and that federal recognition of their recovery is important; and make a number of technical and clarifying modifications. The Nadler manager's amendment to HR 1603 would direct the Homeland Security secretary to establish a hardship waiver for agricultural workers unable to fully satisfy the work requirements for lawful permanent residence due to age or disability. It also would allow the secretary to delay E-Verify implementation for up to 180 days if a significant number of applications for certified agricultural worker status are pending. Adopted 216-204. Note: Pursuant to the provisions of H Res 8, members were able to vote remotely by proxy during the public health emergency period related to COVID-19. Congressional Record p. H1405-H1406

  • March 16, 2021 — House Vote 78 Equal Rights Amendment; Violence Against Women; Legal Residency Status; Undocumented Farm Workers; Prevent Sequestration Cuts — Previous Question
    Torres, D-Calif., motion to order the previous question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on the rule (H Res 233) that would provide for House floor consideration of a joint resolution removing the deadline for the ratification of the equal rights amendment (H J Res 17), the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (HR 1620), the American Dream and Promise Act (HR 6), the Farm Workforce Modernization Act (HR 1603), and a bill related to preventing mandatory spending cuts due to sequestration (HR 1868). The rule would provide for up to one hour of debate on each of the five measures; make in order floor consideration of 41 amendments to HR 1620; and provide for automatic adoption of a Nadler, D-N.Y., manager's amendment to HR 1620 and a Nadler manager's amendment to HR 1603. It would also provide for automatic agreement, upon adoption of the rule, to a resolution (H Res 232) that would require a simple majority affirmative vote in the House for passage of H J Res 17, and it would extend the deadline for committee funding resolutions through April 22, 2021. The Nadler manager's amendment to HR 1620 would modify requirements and increase funding authorized for new programs to require domestic violence training for unemployment compensation personnel and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program personnel, including to authorize including $1 million in fiscal 2022 for grants to develop a training program for unemployment personnel and $8 million annually through fiscal 2026 for program implementation, as well as $1 million in fiscal 2022 and $5 million annually through fiscal 2026 for a similar program for TANF personnel. It would increase from $2 million to $10 million the amount authorized annually for grants to victim service organizations to assist victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault or stalking in underserved populations, and it would require the Justice Department to provide such grants for activities to strengthen the response of criminal and civil justice interventions by providing population-specific training for law enforcement and legal personnel. Among other provisions, it would require that a national public awareness campaign related to the workplace impact of domestic violence and related workplace laws be conducted in a manner equally accessible to people with and without disabilities; express the sense of Congress that sex trafficking victims experience sexual violence and assault and that federal recognition of their recovery is important; and make a number of technical and clarifying modifications. The Nadler manager's amendment to HR 1603 would direct the Homeland Security secretary to establish a hardship waiver for agricultural workers unable to fully satisfy the work requirements for lawful permanent residence due to age or disability. It also would allow the secretary to delay E-Verify implementation for up to 180 days if a significant number of applications for certified agricultural worker status are pending. Motion agreed to 212-200. Note: Pursuant to the provisions of H Res 8, members were able to vote remotely by proxy during the public health emergency period related to COVID-19. Congressional Record p. H1404-H1405

  • March 16, 2021 — Rules Committee resolution, H Res 233, reported to the House as a rule for H J Res 17.

  • March 16, 2021 — House Rules Committee granted a closed rule providing for consideration of the bill. Congressional Record p. H1393, H1410

  • March 16, 2021 — Full committee proceeding held by the House Rules Committee.

  • March 16, 2021 — Additional cosponsor(s): 4

    Butterfield, (D-N.C.)Johnson, E.B. (D-Texas)
    Hoyer, (D-Md.)Lamb, (D-Pa.)

  • March 9, 2021 — Additional cosponsor(s): 1

    Jackson Lee, (D-Texas)

  • March 8, 2021 — Additional cosponsor(s): 5

    Courtney, (D-Conn.)Nadler, (D-N.Y.)Veasey, (D-Texas)
    Golden, (D-Maine)Scott, R. (D-Va.)

  • March 3, 2021 — Additional cosponsor(s): 1

    Cohen, (D-Tenn.)

  • Jan. 28, 2021 — Additional cosponsor(s): 2

    Fletcher, (D-Texas)Harder, (D-Calif.)

  • Jan. 25, 2021 — Additional cosponsor(s): 5

    Higgins, B. (D-N.Y.)San Nicolas, (D-Guam)Wilson, F. (D-Fla.)
    Kahele, (D-Hawaii)Vargas, (D-Calif.)

  • Jan. 22, 2021 — Companion measure, S J Res 1, introduced by Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin (D-Md.).

  • Jan. 21, 2021 — Speier, D-Calif., Submits a constitutional authority statement on the legislation. Congressional Record p. H227

  • Jan. 21, 2021 — Original cosponsor(s): 195

    Adams, (D-N.C.)Gottheimer, (D-N.J.)Pappas, (D-N.H.)
    Aguilar, (D-Calif.)Green, A. (D-Texas)Pascrell (D-N.J.)
    Allred, (D-Texas)Grijalva, (D-Ariz.)Payne (D-N.J.)
    Auchincloss, (D-Mass.)Hastings, (D-Fla.)Perlmutter, (D-Colo.)
    Axne, (D-Iowa)Hayes, (D-Conn.)Peters, S. (D-Calif.)
    Barragan, (D-Calif.)Himes, (D-Conn.)Phillips, (D-Minn.)
    Bass, (D-Calif.)Horsford, (D-Nev.)Pingree, (D-Maine)
    Beatty, (D-Ohio)Houlahan, (D-Pa.)Plaskett, (D-V.I.)
    Bera, (D-Calif.)Huffman, (D-Calif.)Pocan, (D-Wis.)
    Beyer (D-Va.)Jacobs, (D-Calif.)Porter, (D-Calif.)
    Bishop, S. (D-Ga.)Jayapal, (D-Wash.)Pressley, (D-Mass.)
    Blumenauer, (D-Ore.)Jeffries, (D-N.Y.)Price, (D-N.C.)
    Blunt Rochester, (D-Del.)Johnson, H. (D-Ga.)Quigley, (D-Ill.)
    Bonamici, (D-Ore.)Jones, (D-N.Y.)Raskin, (D-Md.)
    Bowman, (D-N.Y.)Kaptur, (D-Ohio)Reed, T. (R-N.Y.)
    Boyle, (D-Pa.)Keating, (D-Mass.)Rice, K. (D-N.Y.)
    Brown, A. (D-Md.)Kelly, R. (D-Ill.)Ross, (D-N.C.)
    Brownley, (D-Calif.)Khanna, (D-Calif.)Roybal-Allard, (D-Calif.)
    Bush, (D-Mo.)Kildee, (D-Mich.)Ruiz, (D-Calif.)
    Bustos, (D-Ill.)Kilmer, (D-Wash.)Ruppersberger, (D-Md.)
    Bourdeaux, (D-Ga.)Kim, (D-N.J.)Rush, (D-Ill.)
    Carbajal, (D-Calif.)Kind, (D-Wis.)Ryan, T. (D-Ohio)
    Cardenas, (D-Calif.)Kirkpatrick, (D-Ariz.)Sanchez, (D-Calif.)
    Carson, (D-Ind.)Krishnamoorthi, (D-Ill.)Sarbanes, (D-Md.)
    Cartwright, (D-Pa.)Kuster, (D-N.H.)Scanlon, (D-Pa.)
    Case, (D-Hawaii)Langevin, (D-R.I.)Schakowsky, (D-Ill.)
    Casten, (D-Ill.)Larsen, R. (D-Wash.)Schiff, (D-Calif.)
    Castor, (D-Fla.)Larson, J. (D-Conn.)Schneider, (D-Ill.)
    Castro, (D-Texas)Lawrence, (D-Mich.)Schrader, (D-Ore.)
    Chu, (D-Calif.)Lawson, (D-Fla.)Schrier, (D-Wash.)
    Cicilline, (D-R.I.)Lee, B. (D-Calif.)Scott, D. (D-Ga.)
    Clarke, Y. (D-N.Y.)Lee, (D-Nev.)Sewell, (D-Ala.)
    Clark, K. (D-Mass.)Leger Fernandez, (D-N.M.)Sherman, (D-Calif.)
    Cleaver (D-Mo.)Levin, (D-Mich.)Sherrill, (D-N.J.)
    Connolly, (D-Va.)Levin, (D-Calif.)Sires, (D-N.J.)
    Cooper, (D-Tenn.)Lieu, (D-Calif.)Slotkin, (D-Mich.)
    Correa, (D-Calif.)Lowenthal, (D-Calif.)Smith, Adam (D-Wash.)
    Costa, (D-Calif.)Luria, (D-Va.)Soto, (D-Fla.)
    Craig, (D-Minn.)Lynch, (D-Mass.)Spanberger, (D-Va.)
    Crist, (D-Fla.)Malinowski, (D-N.J.)Stanton, (D-Ariz.)
    Crow, (D-Colo.)Maloney, C. (D-N.Y.)Stevens, (D-Mich.)
    Cuellar, (D-Texas)Maloney, S.P. (D-N.Y.)Strickland, (D-Wash.)
    Davis, D. (D-Ill.)Manning, (D-N.C.)Suozzi, (D-N.Y.)
    Dean, (D-Pa.)Matsui, (D-Calif.)Swalwell, (D-Calif.)
    DeFazio, (D-Ore.)McBath, (D-Ga.)Takano, (D-Calif.)
    DeGette, (D-Colo.)McCollum, (D-Minn.)Thompson, B. (D-Miss.)
    DeLauro, (D-Conn.)McEachin, (D-Va.)Thompson, M. (D-Calif.)
    DelBene, (D-Wash.)McGovern, (D-Mass.)Titus, (D-Nev.)
    Delgado, (D-N.Y.)McNerney, (D-Calif.)Tlaib, (D-Mich.)
    Demings, (D-Fla.)Meeks, (D-N.Y.)Tonko, (D-N.Y.)
    DeSaulnier, (D-Calif.)Meng, (D-N.Y.)Torres, (D-Calif.)
    Deutch, (D-Fla.)Moore, (D-Wis.)Torres, (D-N.Y.)
    Dingell, (D-Mich.)Morelle, (D-N.Y.)Trahan, (D-Mass.)
    Doyle, (D-Pa.)Moulton, (D-Mass.)Trone, (D-Md.)
    Escobar, (D-Texas)Murphy, S. (D-Fla.)Underwood, (D-Ill.)
    Eshoo, (D-Calif.)Napolitano, (D-Calif.)Vela, (D-Texas)
    Espaillat, (D-N.Y.)Neguse, (D-Colo.)Velazquez, (D-N.Y.)
    Evans, (D-Pa.)Newman, (D-Ill.)Wasserman Schultz, (D-Fla.)
    Foster, (D-Ill.)Norcross, (D-N.J.)Waters, Maxine (D-Calif.)
    Frankel, (D-Fla.)Norton, (D-D.C.)Watson Coleman, (D-N.J.)
    Gallego, (D-Ariz.)O'Halleran, (D-Ariz.)Welch, (D-Vt.)
    Garamendi, (D-Calif.)Ocasio-Cortez, (D-N.Y.)Wexton, (D-Va.)
    Garcia, (D-Ill.)Omar, (D-Minn.)Wild, (D-Pa.)
    Garcia, (D-Texas)Pallone (D-N.J.)Williams, (D-Ga.)
    Gomez, (D-Calif.)Panetta, (D-Calif.)Yarmuth, (D-Ky.)

  • Jan. 21, 2021 — Read twice and referred to: House Judiciary.Congressional Record p. H223