House passes bill paving way for ERA ratification

The House passed legislation Thursday that would remove the deadline to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), a top priority for Democrats.

The measure, sponsored by Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.), now heads to the Senate after a 232-183 vote. Five Republicans voted with Democrats in favor of the legislation.

Under the Equal Rights Amendment bill first passed by Congress in 1972, states were given a seven-year deadline to ratify the measure for it to become the 28th amendment to the Constitution. That deadline was later extended to 1982. Continue reading.