Equal Rights Amendment Re-Introduced in Congress

After more than twenty years since its last stand in Congress, the Equal Rights Amendment – the constitutional guarantee for equal treatment of women – is back on Washington’s agenda.

This spring, Democrats in both the House and the Senate reintroduced the measure as the Women’s Equality Amendment, a new name for an old idea. Empowered by the Democratic sweep of Congress during the 2006 elections, the new majority plans to hold a vote on the issue by the end of the session.

“I think this is something that should be key to the Democratic agenda,” said Dr. Francine Moccio, director of Cornell’s Institute for Women and Work.