22222222Statement from the ERA Coalition/Fund for Women’s Equality on the President’s Address to Congress

April 29, 2021 – New York, NY – From the beginning of President Biden’s remarks, when he acknowledged the historic nature of the two women leaders sitting on the dais behind him, to pay equity and getting families back to work, his first address to a joint session of Congress was laden with support for gender equality issues. 

Reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), President Biden’s signature legislative accomplishment as a Senator; a call to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act and Equality Act; and funding universal pre-k and childcare programs are also about showing support for gender justice. 

It’s no coincidence that in the beginning of his speech, Biden lifted up multiple stories of women across the country struggling during this pandemic. He knows that when everyone thrives, our country follows suit. 

We’re grateful for President Biden’s proposals to support all women at home, at work, and everything in between. We call on his Administration to additionally vocalize its support for recognition of the ERA as the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution at this urgent time. We have a unique opportunity to make history this year and finish a nearly 100-year campaign to see sex equality fully recognized in the United States. 

Our mission to pass S.J. Res. 1 in the Senate continues as we work with a bipartisan group of Senators including Senator Cardin (D-MD), Senator Murkowski (R-AK), Senator Collins (R-ME), and Senator Casey (D-PA) to remove the arbitrary time limit imposed upon the Equal Rights Amendment. 

We hope the announcement today of a diverse and bipartisan group of legislators, including Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Joni Ernst (R-IA), who are working on ending military sexual assaults will lead to continued bipartisan leadership on gender equality.