Biden faces backlash over claim that Equal Rights Amendment is now law

President Biden announced that the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) is now law, claiming it guarantees equal rights regardless of sex. This statement has drawn criticism from legal experts who argue that the amendment was not ratified within the required timeframe. The ERA was sent for ratification in 1972, with a deadline extended to 1982. Virginia became the last state to pass it in 2020, bringing the total to 38 states. However, experts note that the national archivist has not certified the amendment due to legal opinions affirming the deadline's validity. Critics, including former officials, describe Biden's announcement as "cynical" and "irrelevant," stating that he lacks a constitutional role in the amendment process. They emphasize that any official recognition of the ERA would require new congressional action.