Biden declares Equal Rights Amendment as law of the land sparking new debates

President Joe Biden declared the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) as “the law of the land,” emphasizing gender equality under the law. However, this statement does not change the current legal status of the amendment. The ERA was first proposed in 1972 and requires ratification from three-quarters of the states. Although Virginia ratified it in 2020, Congress has not lifted the original deadline for certification. The National Archives has stated that the ERA cannot be certified without further congressional or judicial action. Biden's declaration is largely symbolic, as he has no authority in the amendment process.