Biden declares Equal Rights Amendment as law of the land despite need for further action

President Joe Biden announced that he believes the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) is now "the law of the land," celebrating its ratification by three-fourths of the states. This statement has sparked joy among supporters of the amendment. However, Biden's declaration has no formal effect. The ERA cannot become law without action from Congress or the courts, as the National Archivist must certify it, which Biden will not order. The ERA, passed by Congress in 1972, prohibits discrimination based on sex. Virginia ratified it in 2020, but this was after the 1982 deadline. The archivist's office stated it cannot certify the amendment without a new deadline established by Congress or the courts.