Biden says Equal Rights Amendment should be seen as part of US constitution
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Status of measure enshrining gender equality in law remains ambiguous despite president’s declaration. Joe Biden announced on Friday that the Equal Rights Amendment should be considered a ratified addition to the US constitution, inserting himself into a long-running legal battle over gender equality just days before he is set to leave office.
“It is long past time to recognize the will of the American people,” Biden said in a statement. “In keeping with my oath and duty to Constitution and country, I affirm what I believe and what three-fourths of the states have ratified: the 28th Amendment is the law of the land, guaranteeing all Americans equal rights and protections under the law regardless of their sex.”.
However, it is unclear if his statement will have any impact, as under the constitution, presidents do not have any role in the amendment process. And the head of the National Archives has said that the amendment cannot be certified because it was not ratified before a deadline set by Congress.
A senior Biden administration official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss the White House’s plans, told the Associated Press that Biden was not directing the archivist, Dr Colleen Shogan, to certify the amendment. A senior Biden administration official also told the Wall Street Journal that Biden was stating an opinion that the amendment had been ratified.
