Washington, DC –– Today upon learning that the Senate did not vote for cloture on SJ Res 4, the bipartisan resolution to affirm the validity of the Equal Rights Amendment, ERA Coalition and Fund for Women’s Equality President and CEO Zakiya Thomas released the following statement:

“A bipartisan majority of Senators are now on record in favor of affirming the Equal Rights Amendment as valid and removing the time limit, reflecting the will of the vast majority of the American public. But still, a minority of Senators are hiding behind the Senate’s archaic rules instead of saying what they really mean: they’re against equality. Let’s be clear, the Equal Rights Amendment didn’t fall short, democracy did.

“Opponents are hiding behind a procedural excuse because they know that if the ERA resolution came to the floor, equality would win.

“The ERA represents a fundamental principle and guarantees protection against discrimination on the basis of sex in the Constitution. By voting against moving to a floor vote, opponents are denying our country legal tools to increase protections against sex-based violence and discrimination in legislation and the enforcement of laws; discrimination in government employment, including in education, law enforcement, and the military; and unequal pay, workplace harassment, and pregnancy discrimination.

“Congress has the power to act. The Courts have kicked it back to Congress. President Biden has called on Congress to take action. We are urging Congress to do its job because we deserve to have our rights protected and equality preserved in the Constitution so that we, our children, and our children’s children will have a brighter future ahead. We’ve waited long enough.

“We’re grateful to Senate Majority Leader Schumer for bringing this resolution up for a vote and for the leadership of co-sponsors Sen. Cardin and Sen. Murkowski.”

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The ERA Coalition was founded in 2014 to bring concerted, organized action to the effort to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. The ERA Coalition has a sister organization, the Fund for Women’s Equality, which promotes public education and outreach on the need for constitutional equality. Composed of more than 290 organizations across the country, the Coalition provides education and advocacy on Constitutional Equality.