From Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-VA10)’s office:
Wexton Presides Over Historic Debate, Votes to Eliminate Deadline on Equal Rights Amendment
Washington, DC — Today, Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton (VA-10) presided as speaker pro tempore as the House of Representatives debated a resolution, introduced by Congresswoman Jackie Speier (CA-14), to eliminate the deadline on the Equal Rights Amendment. The House passed the resolution, H.J.Res.79, with bipartisan support.
In advance of the historic vote, Wexton issued a joint statement alongside fellow Virginia representatives, Elaine Luria (VA-02) and Abigail Spanberger (VA-07).
“Equality should have no expiration date. As the three women of Virginia’s congressional delegation, we find ourselves positioned at a unique moment in our nation’s history. As lawmakers, we feel the momentum of this decades-long movement of mothers, daughters, and sisters who’ve fought for their equality and their protection under our laws. And as Virginians, we are proud to represent our districts in light of our Commonwealth becoming the 38th state in the union to ratify the ERA last month.
“Last week, we all received the physical copies of Virginia’s ERA ratification documents. These proclamations are more than pieces of parchment—they are a symbol of long overdue progress and a reminder of our unpaid debt to the women and men who strove for constitutional equality generations before. In a matter of hours, Congress will move one step closer toward enshrining the idea that all Americans—no matter their sex—are protected under our Constitution.
“By removing the deadline for ratification, Virginia’s role as the 38th state to ratify the ERA will be noted in history. Today’s vote in the House is dedicated to the Virginians who advocated in the halls of power, marched alongside their fellow organizers, educated their neighbors, and inspired others to pursue the cause of equality over the last 100 years. Only through their boundless determination could we have reached this moment.”
A photo of Representatives Wexton, Luria and Spanberger with official Virginia ERA ratification documents can be found here.
Congresswoman Wexton has been a longtime advocate for the ERA and sponsored the ERA during her time in the Virginia state Senate. Yesterday, Wexton spoke at a press conference with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Congresswoman Speier, fellow members of Congress who are advocating for the resolution to eliminate the ratification deadline, and longtime ERA advocates.
Watch Wexton’s remarks at the press conference here.
Watch Wexton debate in support of the resolution on the House floor here.
A copy of the resolution can be found here.
We need the #ERA to ensure that “Equal Justice Under Law” is a constitutional right for women—not just an inscription over the entrance to the Supreme Court.
Today, I cast my vote in support of equality & in recognition of the tireless work of so many over the years.#ERANow pic.twitter.com/GqZ1j2128w
— Rep. Jennifer Wexton (@RepWexton) February 13, 2020
On the back of Virginia’s seal are 3 Roman Goddesses and the motto, Perseverando or Persevering.
With Virginia as the 38th and final state to ratify the ERA—Virginia women persevered.
Tomorrow, I’ll cast my vote to say there is no deadline on equality. #ERANow pic.twitter.com/wBEnCb6eCf
— Rep. Jennifer Wexton (@RepWexton) February 12, 2020
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