Transcripts For CSPAN U.S. House Of Representatives House Passes ERA Deadline Removal 20240713

Despite the century that has elapsed our constitution still does not recognize or guarantee full protection of the law for women and gender minorities. Hj resolution 79 would bring us one step closer. The resolution removes the previous deadline set for ratifying the e. R. A. And will ensure that recent ratifications by nevada , illinois, in virginia are given full effect. The e. R. A. Offers a basic and fundamental guarantee, the equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex. Thats it. Very simple. In the years since it was passed by overwhelming majorities in the house and senate we have made Great Strides to secure that equality including through existing case law signed under the 14th amendment. The e. R. A. Would enshrine those principles and take the final step of ensuring that laws disadvantaging women and gender minorities are subject to the most rigorous form of constitutional scrutiny. In recent years we have seen breakthroughs for womens rights and gender equality. We have seen millions of women march in support of their rights and dignity as equal citizens. Through the me too movement we have had painful conversations about the harassment that women and gender minorities experience whether in the workplace, at home, or at schools or universities. We have seen women get elected to congress in Record Numbers. Weeks ago, virginia became the necessary state to pass and ratify the equal rights amendment. We are on the brink of making history and no deadline should stand in the way. The constitution places no deadlines on the process for ratifying constitutional amendments making it doubtful whether congress had the authority to impose such a deadline in the first place. If it had such authority, then congress clearly also has the authority to remove any deadline that it previously chose to set. I want to thank representative Jackie Speier for introducing this resolution which takes that important step. This resolution will ensure at long last that the equal rights amendment having been proposed by Congress Years ago having now been ratified by three quarters of the states can take its rightful place as part of our nations constitution. I reserve the balance of my time. The gentleman from georgia is recognized. Three quarters of the state failed to ratify the equal rights amendment by the 1979 deadline. Yet House Democrats are trying to retroactively revive the failed constitutional amendment. Congress does not have the power to do that. Congress set the deadline, it was passed, it did not get approved and now there is an inrun to go around that. The United States Supreme Court recognized this in 1982 when it stated that the issue was moot because the deadline for the e. R. A. Ratification expired before the requisite number of states approved it. Next year the democratic leadership and the house of representatives acting on the same understanding started the entire process of the e. R. A. Approval over again. It also failed to meet the required two thirds majority in the house on november 15, 1983. Today in defiance of historical reality and the clear acceptance of the situation by all relevant participants in the original debate, the democrats have brought forward a resolution that denies the obvious. Now the proponents of this resolution want to convince their base that if both houses of Congress Pass this joint resolution, the e. R. A. Will become part of the constitution just because the democrats control the Virginia State legislature. Their Legislature Passed the e. R. A. This year. Even current Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader ginsburg as a supporter of the e. R. A. Since the beginning has said just a few months ago, i hope someday we will start over again on the e. R. A. , collecting the necessary state to ratify it. This week she said, i would like to see a new beginning, i would like to see it start all over. There is too much controversy. Plus a number of states that have withdrawn their ratification. If you count a latecomer on the plus side, how do you disregard states that said we changed our minds . Congress does not have the authority to retroactively revive the failed constitutional amendment and to be subject to citizens of all 50 states to what may be the Current Political Trends in just one state. The u. S. Supreme court has already recognized that, past democratic leadership, the house has recognize that, Justice Ginsburg has recognize that, but apparently the current democratic leadership is intent on rewriting history. As we have our debate today, i will show what the real intent about this is and it has nothing to do with equal rights. It has a lot to do with other issues that will be exposed today. With that, i reserve. The gentleman from new york is recognized. I now yield three minutes to the distinguished lady from california, the chief sponsor of this bill, representative speier. The gentlewoman from california is recognized for three minutes. Thank you madam speaker and i thank the chairman for his leadership on this issue. This is very simple, members. Women want to be equal and we want it in the constitution. I am equal on this house floor with all of my male colleagues but when i walk out, i have fewer rights and protections than them. I rise today because the women of america are done being secondclass citizens. We are done being paid less for our work, done being violated with impunity, done being discriminated against for our pregnancies, done being discriminated against because we are women. The e. R. A. Is about equality. It is about sisterhood, motherhood, survival, dignity, and respect. The world recognizes this of the 190 three countries in the united nations, 165 have put this kind of language in their constitutions. But not the United States of america. From the womens march to the me too movement, the outrage we have seen among women is because we have been disrespected, devalued and diminished in our society. We are fed up. It is no wonder recent votes to ratify the e. R. A. Came in 2017, and 2020. Because we want the e. R. A. Now. We have waited almost a century for the e. R. A. I want to thank my republican cosponsors of this resolution including congressman reed, fitzpatrick and van drew. I know most of you recognize that this is the right thing to do for your wives, daughters, and granddaughters. 94 of americans already support the e. R. A. They are surprised it is not already in the constitution. Some of you will say just restart the process but you are the same people that admit you will not vote for it. Some will say women already have equality while they vote against vawa reauthorization, vote against paycheck fairness, chip away at title ix. For too long women have relied on the Patchwork Quilt of laws and president s. We have been forced to take our cases all the way to the Supreme Court and from there, we lose. For my colleagues who think we already have equality, talk to Christy Brzonkala who was raped by two Football Players at virginia tech. She sought justice under the violence against women act but the Supreme Court struck down the civil suit provisions claiming congress lacked the authority to pass it. Or Lilly Ledbetter who had to rely on an anonymous note to learn she was paid less than her male colleagues at goodyear. Or betty duke who was passed over for promotions and paid 10,000 less for her work at walmart. Or peggy young who was placed on unpaid leave losing her Health Insurance while pregnant at ups all the while men were granted the exact same accommodation that she was denied. The e. R. A. Is about building the america we want. It is about forming a more Perfect Union because simply put, there can be no Expiration Date on equality. I urge my colleagues to affirm their support for womens equality and vote for this resolution. I yield back. The gentleman from georgia is recognized. Gentleman gentlewoman from arizona is recognized for three minutes. So i obviously care and support equal rights for women. But i opposed this bill for three reasons. First, the bill is not constitutional. When the e. R. A. Originally passed congress explicitly set a deadline for ratifications, the deadline was in 1979. 41 years ago. Already five of the 38 needed to ratify. Then five states on ratify it. Thus the equal rights amendment was dead. The u. S. Department of justice issued an legal opinion reiterating that the ratification timeline is expired. The Supreme Court Justice Ruth Ginsburg said the deadline passed. I would like to see a new beginning. I would like it to start over. Secondly, the e. R. A. Amendment is not necessary. Womens equality of rights under the law is already recognized in our constitution in the fifth and 14th amendment. Rights director wrote, it has been clearly understood that the 14th amendment prohibits discrimination based on sex. State andfederal local laws already prohibit sex discrimination. Third reason i oppose this bill. If ratified the e. R. A. Would be used by proabortion groups to undo prolife legislation and lead to more abortions and taxpayer funding of abortions. Do not take my word for it. Lets look at what proabortion groups have done and what they say. In 1998 the new mexico Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the states e. R. A. Required the state to fund abortions. Whichoice america supports abortion asserted that the e. R. A. Would reinforce the constitutional right to abortions and would require judges to strike down antiabortion laws. Letter, it was stated that the equal rights amendment would provide an additional layer of protection against restrictions on abortion. Conclusion, this bill is unconstitutional, the e. R. A. Is unnecessary, since constitutional, federal, state, and local laws already guarantee protections and the e. R. A. If ratified would be used by proabortion groups to undo prolife laws. I yield back. The dominance of new york is recognized. Of new york is recognized. Can set angress deadline, it can remove a deadline. I recognize the distinguished majority leader of the house for one minute. The gentleman is recognized for one minute. Madam speaker, let me thank representative speier and all of those who have been such warriors on this issue for such a long period of time. They are keeping the faith. Moment amendment was proposed and passed in 1972. In the early part of 1972. I was a member of the Maryland State Senate in 1972 and i had the honor of shortly after in the late spring of 1972 months after the e. R. A. Had been passed of voting to ratify that. Speaker said in only 35 states. That is 70 of the states. They ratified that in a timely passion fashion. Date. A 70 of the states of this nation. It needed three more states. It has now received three more states. I have been an advocate for the equal rights amendment for essentially four decades. Actually longer. I will be proud to vote for it today. Just a few months as i have said after congress adopted it, marilyn voted for ratification. Maryland voted for ratification. Are some 48th years is. R and it still our founders declared all men are created equal in their declaration of independence. Founder, if they were writing that document today, would have said when men met White Property owning men, surely they would not have written that. Surely none of us would have supported that. Since the beginning americans have been taking steps to define that in a more expansive, representing our universal values. The constitution to ensure africanamericans could not be denied the right to vote. It took a long time. Body willin this think of the suffragettes who were active in making decisions in our families and communities and country. Could not vote prior to 1919. 1789 to 1919. Women could not vote. I am the father of three daughters. A grandfather of two granddaughters and a greatgrandfather of three great granddaughters. For me to go home to them tonight and said i voted against i voted against your being equal in america. My wife passed away but if i went home to her tonight and said i voted against your being equal in america. Or those grandchildren and greatgrandchildren who have to have been born as women and say to them, i voted against your being equal in america today. Act to the civil rights declare that all must be treated equally regardless of race. Twoassed the ada discrimination against those with disabilities. But still nowhere in our constitution does it state clearly that women must be treated equally and that one must not be subject to discrimination because of their. Ender the e. R. A. Would enshrine that basic tenant of our democracy and our constitution at long last. And then threees more said that also be our constitution. Three quarters of the state have voted to ratify this amendment. Discrimination against women has kept bright and talented americans from achieving their potential. Because of their hard work and the preservation perseverance of women, we have seen barriers come down and doors of opportunity open and glass ceilings shattered. Discrimination, inequality, and injustice persist and we will hear arguments on this floor rationalizing why discrimination ought to still exist. Constitution did not explicitly banned discrimination based on gender as it does on race, we will continue to see forms of legal discrimination against women linger in our country. Theng this step to add e. R. A. Is one of the many that House Democrats are taking to combat discrimination against women. Simply because they are women. Last year we passed the patriot fairness act. Not everybody voted for that. In my opinion everybody voted for that who thought equal pay should mean equal pay irrespective of gender and based upon work performance. That was built on the ledbetter act to ensure equal pay for equal work. We also passed a reauthorization of violence against women act. Most of us on our side voted for that. Whye was a rationalization some would say no, we will not protect women against violence. We have continued working to protect womens right to make their own Health Care Choices and to access quality affordable care. Who said that was part of the constitution, the Supreme Court of the United States. They said that was a constitutional right. We have seen effort after effort to erode that constitutional right. I am proud that the democratic cus is not only that most the most diverse but also includes the greatest number of women. It was an election that softly saw the house delegates reached 30 women and 28 . Tate delegates reached once it got there, the women stood up and said that ought to be in the constitution of the United States and they voted to do so. Virginia has a woman speaker of the house. As my home state of marilyn has, a home state of delegates. Marilyn maryland. That is why this resolution is on the floor. I have been proud of the women who run for the house as democrats. Frankly we need more women as republicans. A diminishing group, i might add. I urge my colleagues to join in supporting this resolution and finally, is it too late . It is too late. But it is never too late to do the right thing. Make this part of our constitution. Stand up and say yes, women should be included as all humankind who are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights. That is the principal that we are articulating today. I was once asked why she kept all of her focus on getting the job done. She said when you put your hand to the plow, you cannot put it down until you get to the end of the row. We are not at the end of the way row, but this is a upon that row to make it complete. To make our constitution protect all people. E or female, lack or white black or white, all people. Lets hold firm to that plow. Lets get the job done. Vote yes on this resolution. The gentleman from georgia is recognized. I yield three minutes. Gentlewomann from missouri is recognized for three minutes. Womenommend the men and who have gone before us to celebrate the achievements that women have made and to reaffirm the fact that we are equal in the eyes of god and in law. Women make up 51 of the population, comprised of over half of the college students, make up most of todays medical and Law School Students and owned the majority of new businesses. Women are not victims in need of validation. The growth can be whatever they want to be whether it be an astronaut, dr. , a fulltime mom, or a member of congress. President w and court of hold are right. That is something to applaud and i do. Legislation iss problematic on several fronts. First, the resolution is unconstitutional. Thetime needed to pass e. R. A. Expired decades ago. Congress cannot go back and remove a deadline for a previous constitutional amendment initiative. The Supreme Court recognizes the 1972 e. R. A. Expired and the department of justice issued a ruling saying congress may not revolve revive after the deadline has expired. Pretending that we can remove the time limits is futile and deceptive. Secondly, if the time limit could be extended, the e. R. A. Would not bring women any more rights than they currently have right now. But it would entrance the legality of abortion. We know this from listening to those who have the most to gain from constitutionally protecting abortion. In 1998 the new mexico Supreme Court ruled that the equal rights amendment in their state constitution requires state funding of abortions. Some reports are likely to do the same some courts are likely to do the same. Prochoice america says with this ratification the e. R. A. Would reinforce the constitutional right to abortion. The National Organization for women says an e. R. A. Could negate the hundreds of laws that have passed restricting access to abortion. That is not the only concern with passing this was aleutian. This resolution. The e. R. A. Would also erase decades of progress that have created opportunities for women and secured necessary protections for women and girls by incorporating gender identity in the definition of sex, jeopardizing private spaces for women, girls sports programs, and educational institutions. The e. R. A. Endangers funding designed to benefit women providing a pathway for legal grants forfor astered womens shelters, well as state laws governing child support, alimony, and custody. These outcomes are anything but pro women. I urge my colleagues to vote no. I yield back. The gentleman from new york is recognized. The yield one minute to General Committee from tennessee. The gentleman from tennessee is recognized for one minute. Nearly 102 years after women got the right to vote, it is hard to believe we have not given women equal rights. In the year 2020 it is on accessible that women still make cents for every dollar earned by men. The Judiciary Committee, a brilliant female law clerk has described sexual rights meant Sexual Harassment by a distinguished judge. Over 130 years to give women the right to vote. It is time to give women their proper place in the constitution of the United States which most modern constitutions have. The quality regardless of sex. I yield back the balance of my time. Georgia isleman of recognized. The gentlewoman from indiana is recognized for two minutes. I rise in opposition. Of course i believe in equal rights. Women should never face this and harassment. I believe we should be empowering women and girls to achieve their dreams. It is disappointing to stand in this chamber and see this important issue turned into some type of political stunt. The deadline for states to ratify the e. R. A. Past nearly four decades ago. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg stated the only path forward is to start over. Lets be honest. This is not about the quality or womens rights. Equality. This is about unrestricted abortions in the constitution and allowing taxpayer funding for abortions. Now is not the time to be weakening prolife protections. Yesterday in indiana in my district the remains of 2411 victims were given a dignified burial. After spending 20 years in of afoam boxes in the back doctors car and in his basement. These unborn boys and girls would be young men and women today entering college. Moments ago we stood on this house for together and we offered a moment of silence that these innocent lives were taken and there were victims. I would ask that together we stand again to defend the rights of the most vulnerable among us. That we stand together today for the sanctity of life, to lift women up, to protect women and to strengthen families. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting against this misguided resolution. I yield back. From new yorkan is recognized. The yield one minute for german from gentleman from rhode island. With virginia becoming the 38th state to ratify, we make it clear that Congress Never the ratification of the equal rights minute affirms our nations value by cauterizing sex discrimination in our nations document. Women are entitled to equal protection under the law and we have a response ability to do all that we can to guarantee that regardless of sex all americans are treated the same in every aspect of their lives including making a living and accessing public services. These must not be swayed by political ideology. Equality is a founding value of this country. More than any other word, it describes the very idea of america. A vote for this resolution is a vote for equality. I urge my colleagues to support. I yield back. The gentleman from georgia is recognized. Two minutes to the gentleman from wisconsin. The tournament is recognized for two minutes. Is recognized for two minutes. There is a cornucopia of benefits awaiting women should the e. R. A. Becoming part of the constitution. I am here to ask members on both sides of the aisle to look past what looks nice on a Bumper Sticker or a soundbite to realize that there will be many consequences that will hurt women should just be ratified. I will just talk about insurance because insurance is regulated by the states. Substantially lower rates on Auto Insurance because we are better they are better drivers. With the e. R. A. , that would become unconstitutional and girls are going to have to pay boydrivers waits for Auto Insurance which does not reflect the exposure of that at all. Insurance, women live longer than men and as a result in Life Insurance also regulated by the state, you see womens rights lower than mens rates becoming unconstitutional and women are going to be paying more to Life Insurance companies for the coverage they desire. I could go on and on. On this lot of hearings in 1973. Was originally passed in 1972, womens rights were not enshrined in state laws. There has been tremendous progress in this area at the federal level and at the states. The proponents of this resolution completely ignore that happening. Statutoryhe protections that have been passed all around the country in the last almost 50 years has advanced women and addressed a lot of the complainants that we hear from that side of the aisle. Unleashgoing to pandoras box of litigation that has been raised by this some of which has been brought up by my colleagues on the side. Lets not enrich the lawyers. Lets do the right thing. Do not pass this resolution and enforced laws that have been passed both here and in the state. Gentleman from new york is recognized. To theeld one minute distinguished gentlelady from texas. The gentlelady from texas is recognized for one minute. I thanked the chairman of the Judiciary Committee and the Ranking Member for being on the floor. I asked the question does anybody see the fence of women not being in the most powerful documents of law and power of the American People . Lets be reminded of the words of Abigail Adams, i long to hear that you have declared independency. She sangw code of laws to her husband which will be necessary for you to make a desire, i would desire you would remember the ladies and to be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such Unlimited Power in the hands of husbands. I rise enthusiastically to support this resolution and to say to my colleagues there is no prohibition for passing this. We are grandly involved because this is a 1972 passage by the state of texas of the equal 1977s amendment and here, conference, let us pass this resolution because Abigail Adams said lets remember the ladies. I yield back. The gentleman from georgia is recognized. I yield three minutes for the gentlelady from texas. We have heard my democratic colleagues say that passing an equal rights amendment is necessary to secure basic rights under the law for women. Not only is this untrue, it obscures the fundamental fact this e. R. A. Actually denies the most basic human right, the right to life. Gentle. Uses gender equality to great an unlimited constitutional right to abortion. Instead of working to protect legislation that protects womens rights, democrats have put forward today an unconstitutional partisan measure. Not only would just result in ondemand abortions across all 50 states but also clear the way to provide taxpayerfunded abortions throughout all nine months of pregnancy costing millions of dollars every year. S measure is not above about advancing womens rights especially as women across the country, republicans and democrats, are increasingly horrified by the practice of recentrm abortion and by comments made in new york and virginia that lifesaving treatment should be denied to some newborns. Allowing women to discard their unborn children at taxpayer expense is not ensuring gender equality. It is not protecting women, it is not empowering women, it is not providing Women Equal Pay for equal work, it is simply another step down the path to the evaluate all human life and dignity. I oppose this amendment and urge my colleagues to vote no on this measure and i yield back. The gentleman from new york is recognized. I yield one minute to the gentlelady from texas. The gentlelady from texas is recognized. Ago, iexas many years marched in support of the equal rights amendment. Today i join my colleagues to reaffirm that support. Women are behind some of this nations greatest achievements. We fought for civil rights, sentiment is based and then went there ourselves. We have forged our path in history yet we are still not equal to men under the eyes of the law. We must remove disdain from our constitution this stain from our constitution. We are voting to remove an arbitrary deadline so we can prohibit gender discrimination under the constitution. I will probably vote in favor of the resolution and urge all of my colleagues to do the same. As many in my district would it is time to approve the e. R. A. Thank you and i yield back. The gentleman from georgia is recognized. I yield three minutes to the gentlelady from West Virginia for three minutes. Madam speaker, i rise to oppose this resolution. That life iso say under attack in our nation. The prohibition discussion taking place around this country are sickening. In the last year we heard a governor promote infanticide and we saw state legislators take action for the same. We still have not had a vote on this floor in the house of representatives to protect babies that survive abortion. Yesterday i introduced legislation that would protect babies protect babies who survie abortion. It failed along party lines once again. We have millions of American Families who would love to adopt. We dont discuss that. I know women who have cried every month when they realized they did not conceive the baby they desperately want. I know men and women who have undergone multiple procedures have a child. Instead, today, we are voting once more on another piece of legislation that would drastically reduce protections for life. Life. This bill would create the basis funded abortion at the federal level, and it would allow abortion until birth for any reason throughout the nation. It would force governmentfunded Health Care Providers and hospitals to provide abortions. That. Nnot have we cannot bring abortion into health care in that debate not health care. Abortion is murder. If we want to discuss protecting for all americans, it eeds to pertain to everyone, including and especially newborns. And while i always welcome a colleagues with my about how we can advance womens rights and the rights of all this is not the way to do it. T is not through thinly veiled messaging bills with nice names but radical policies. Good, prowoman, profamily, proamerican egislation through bipartisan solutions. So if were going to do it, ets do it, but today, sadly, we wont and that is so disappointing. I yield back my time. Mr. Collins reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from georgia reserves. The gentleman from new york is recognized. Mr. Nadler madam speaker, i now minute to the distinguished gentleman from colorado, mr. Neguse. The speaker pro tempore the is leman from colorado recognized for one minute. Mr. Neguse thank you, madam speaker. Today in strong support of the equal rights amendment and the resolution before us. Together s body comes unabashed in our conviction for a future that expands the vision founders. By our together, we strive for a nation that advances the notion of that takes up the mantle of the unfinished works thats the American Dream and the practice of government by the people, for all the people. My daughter, natalie, is just and a half old, and i look forward to telling her one day about today, how the house, led by the chambers first female speaker, oted tone sure that the women of her generation will be the first to grow up knowing that he constitution truly guarantees equal rights. It feels fitting to close by Shirley Chisholm, the first black female member lected to this body and the youngest until my good friend, lauren underwood, took office who said when congress sent the e. R. A. To the states for ratification, the ime is clearly now to put this house on record for the fullest expectation of that equality of our founding hich fathers professed. Complete oo late to the work they left undone. I support the resolution and with that i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new york reserves. The gentleman from georgia is recognized. Mr. Collins thank you, madam speaker. I yield three minutes to the gentlewoman from North Carolina, ms. Foxx. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from North Carolina is recognized for three minutes. Ms. Foxx thank you, madam speaker. I thank my colleague from georgia for yielding time. Speaker, i rise in strong opposition to h. J. Res. 79. Woman who has worked all her life, often in professions, i detest discrimination in any against any group, and ive done always done all that i eliminate it. Furthermore, i welcome any iscussion on how to root out discrimination against women where it exists. But do not be deceived. This is not what this legislation is about. He 14th amendment to the u. S. Constitution already provides women and all americans equal under the law. But the goal of this legislation is different. Is to expand access to abortion up to birth nd to overturn the broadly supported policies that protect taxpayers from being forced to abortions. As we know all too well, roe v. Broadly legalized abortion in the United States, but the equal rights amendment this resolution tries to ratify goes much further. Consensus that the e. R. A. Could be used to overturn abortionlaws, legalize up to birth, and mandate taxpayerfunded abortions. Expanded the expansion of abortion is not the only harmful impact of the e. R. A. Have a harmful impact on shelters that protect women eliminate ce, womenspecific workplace protections, and destroy women sports. Furthermore, were this resolution ever to become law, the Supreme Court would that it does le not ratify the equal rights amendment. Knows, yone in this room when congress initially passed the equal rights amendment, it a entionally included sevenyear deadline for the required 38 states to ratify it. Which is long since passed. Multiple states have also ratification. R as such, Supreme Court precedent equires that any attempt to ratify the e. R. A. Must start at the beginning. Even Justice Ruth Bader ginsburg was recently quoted saying she would like the process to start over. To be clerl with this resolution the democrats are attempting to write into the constitution the right to an abortion in all three try midwesters, force taxpayers to pay for them, and eliminate all conscience protections for medical providers who wish to abstain from abortion. This resolution is not about protecting women. Its a partisan messaging bill designed to appease radical proabortion groups. If the majority were serious about the equal rights amendment, it would start the process anew and give all states the option to consider the e. R. A. Again. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from georgia reserves. The gentleman from new york is recognized. Mr. Nadler i would remind everyone that the equal rights amendment simultaneous pli says the quality of rights under the law shall not be denied on account of sex. If people on the other side want to admit that equality of rights under the law means there must be a constitutional right to abortion, thats wonderful. Of course the constitution right to abortion is already established under current law. I now yield one minute to the distinguished gentlelady from washington, representative jayapal. The speaker pro tempore the the gentlewoman from washington is recognized for one minute. Ms. Jayapal thank you, madam speaker. What a glorious day this is. Today the house of representatives will vote to remove the arbitrary deadline to ratify the equal rights amendment. And with our vote today, and with virginias historic vote to become the 38th and final state necessary to ratify the amendment, little girls, their moms, and women across this great nation will know that, yes, our constitution can, will, and must enshrine a ban on discrimination on the basis of sex. Equality of sexes is not debateable. It has no Expiration Date. First proposed almost a century ago and passed by congress in 1972, the equal rights amendment would be a momentous step forward for women to end unequal pay, pregnancy discrimination, and Sexual Harassment and exploitation. So today, to women across this country who are watching, let me say, and i say this as the first south Asian American woman ever elected to the house of representatives, we see you, we stand with you, and we will fight for you. The speaker pro tempore the gentleladys time has expired. The gentleman from new york reserves. The gentleman from georgia reserves. Mr. Collins reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new york is recognized. Madam speaker, i now yield one minute to the distinguished gentlelady from georgia, representative mcmcbath. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman georgia is recognized for one minute. Thank you. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Women have been fighting tooth and nail for decades to be recognized as equal under the eyes of the law. While we made significant gains, it is time for full constitutional equality. 1986, Francis Ellen Watkins harper, a free born black woman, addressed the National Womens Rights Convention in new york city. She said, i quote, justice is not fulfilled so long as a woman is unequal before the law. We are all bound up together in one great bundle of humanity. Society cannot afford to negligent the enlightenment of any class of its members. These words still hold true today. For our mothers, for our daughters, and for our future leaders, we must take up the mantle of the women who came before us and pass this amendment for a more just future. Thank you. I yield back the balance of my ime. Mr. Collins i reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new york is recognized. Mr. Nadler i now yield one minute to the distinguished speaker of the house. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from california is recognized for one minute. The speaker thank you very much, madam speaker. Im so pleased that the gentlewoman from virginia is in the chair and grateful to her for her leadership and our other colleagues, elaine laura and abigail spanberger, as new members of congress who gave us the opportunity as the majority to bring this important legislation to the floor and thank them for virginias leadership. Its so appropriate that congresswoman is in the chair for this because she was a leader in the state legislature on equal rights amendment when she served there. This is an historic day. A happy day. As the house takes action to move our nation closer to the founding our founding ideal that all are created equal. I salute congresswoman Jackie Speier for her leadership on this resolution and her lifetime of work to advance equality in america. She quoted the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia when she said, i think it bears repetition, certainly Justice Scalia said, certainly the constitution does not require discrimination on the basis of sex, the only issue is whether it prohibits it. It does not. End of quote. It does not prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex. The lack of an e. R. A. Has allowed the Supreme Court justice to have this interpretation. Here it is, we say it over and over again, equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex. How can you have a problem with that . How can you have a problem with that . Let me also salute chairwoman Carolyn Maloney long time sponsor of the equal rights amendment in the house for her great leadership, and to you, chairman nadler, the members of the Judiciary Committee, and all the members who came to congress, committed to finishing this fight for the equal rights amendment. I also want to acknowledge that yesterday at our press presentation on this in the audience was a republican from illinois who was responsible for illinois passing the equal rights amendment, steven anderson, he was with us at the capitol. We commend him for being a leader on the e. R. A. Passing it through the illinois statehouse. What an honor and how clear that this is not partisan. Perhaps only in the house of representatives. But not in the rest of the country. Let us acknowledge the millions of women in nevada, illinois, virginia, and across america who have raised a drumbeat for ratification and reignited a nationwide movement for equality. Nearly nearly 100 years ago allies paul alice paul, a republican, introduced the equal rights amendment, the first proposed amendment to the constitution calling for womens equality in america. 50 years ago soon after becoming the first africanamerican woman to serve in the congress, congresswoman Shirley Chisholm stood on this house floor calling it, quote, one of the most clearcut opportunities we are likely to have to declare our faith and the principle that is shape our constitution. End of quote. But today and this year that marks the centennial of women having the right to vote, it is shameful reality that the equal rights amendment still has not been enshrined in the constitution. As a result millions of american women still face inequality under the law and injustice in their careers and lives. Without full equality under the constitution, women face a devastating wage gap and this has an impact not only on the families, what families earn today, but womens pension and retirement in the future. This is wrong. Women are facing discrimination as they raise families, 62 of pregnant women and new moms are in the work force, but current law allows pregnant workers to be placed on unpaid leave or forced out of their jobs. Sexual harassment assault too often go unchecked. All leading to womens underrepresentation at the decisionmaking table. Today we know what the statistics, 33 c. E. O. s of the fortune 500 companies are women. Really . Today by passing this resolution the house is paving the way to enshrining equal rights amendment in the constitution. Achieve justice for women and progress for families, for our children, lowering wage disparity, increasing paychecks so moms can pay for their familys needs such as rent, groceries, childcare, health care. And strengthen america. Its not just about women. Its about america. The e. R. A. Will strengthen america, unleashing the full power of women in our economy and upholding the value of equality in our democracy. I have four daughters, one son. Two granddaughters. I cant even imagine how anyone could think of his or her daughter not having equality. S or her sister, mom, wife not having equality. What is that about . What is that about . Women should not have the same status of equality as men. This has nothing to do with abortion issue. Thats an excuse. Its not a reason. It has everything to do with the respect for women, your daughter, your sister, your wife, your mother. And youre saying by voting against this that your daughter, your sister, your mother, your spouse should not have equal protection under the law in the constitution of the United States. To those who say the e. R. A. Is not necessary, let me quote from a recent statement from the American Association of university women. It states, Many Americans mistakenly believe that the u. S. Constitution explicitly guarantees equality between men and women. Perhaps you think that. The equal rights amendment would once and for all guarantee constitutional equality between men and women. Its ratification would provide the constitutional guarantee that all men and women are truly equal under the law. I urge a strong bipartisan vote for this resolution. It would be bipartisan in the United States senate when we accepted it over there shortly. And so to ensure that women are truly equal under the law in america. Because we know in america when women succeed, america succeeds. I urge a yes vote and yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new york reserves. Gentleman from georgia is recognized. Mr. Collins thank you, madam speaker. Can i request the time for both sides. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman has 11 minutes remaining. And the gentleman from new york has 15. Mr. Collins i reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new york is recognized. Mr. Nadler madam speaker, i now yield one minute to the distinguished gentlelady from pennsylvania, ms. Dean. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from pennsylvania is recognized for one minute. Ms. Dean thank you, chairman nadler, for bringing this resolution to a vote and thank you to representatives speier and maloney for your work on this legislation. This is an historic day. It has been nearly a century since the first constitutional amendment to guarantee equal treatment for women was introduced in 1923. Since then 37 states have ratified the equal rights amendment, including my home state of pennsylvania in 1972. Virginias ratification of the e. R. A. This past january brought us one step closer to this basic right that we will be held equal in the eyes of the constitution. The motto of susan b. Anthonys newspaper was, quote, men their rights, and nothing more. Women their rights and nothing less. And today we again say that women will accept nothing less than equality. E. R. A. Builds on the work of anthony and others like rankin, alice paul, ida b. Wells, and this diverse congress. I have to tell you i am filled with joy today because im looking forward going home and telling my granddaughters that we are one step closer to a more Perfect Union. With that i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from georgia reserves. The gentleman from new york is recognized. Mr. Nadler madam speaker, i now yield one minute to the gentlelady from new york, representative maloney. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from new york is recognized for one minute. Mrs. Maloney thank you, chairman nadler and Jackie Speier for your historic leadership on the e. R. A. Madam speaker, first introduced in 1923 the equal rights amendment is still as relevant and necessary as ever. Because we know that equality for women will always elude us when it isnt etched into our constitution. We have seen it when the Supreme Court gutted the violence against women act. We have seen it when judges dont enforce equal pay for equal work. Or when a federal judge ruled that congress didnt have the authority to outlaw female genital mutilation. But if your rights are in the constitution, they cant be rolled back by changing whims of legislators, judges, or president s. We will persist until it is firmly guaranteed. Here is no deadline for equality. We demand it be spelled out in the constitution and we spell it e. R. A. I ask you to support this important vote for equality. I yield back. Reserve. Ns the speaker pro tempore the gentleman from georgia reserves. The gentleman from new york is recognized. Speaker, i nowdam yield one minute to the istinguished gentlelady from michigan, representative lawrence. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from michigan is minute. Zed for one mrs. Lawrence madam speaker, i 79, in support of h. J. Res. Which removes the deadline for equal ification of the rights amendment. A womans rights must be guaranteed by our government. About the members of congress ensuring that the ights and equality for women are part of our constitution. Losesad to watch those who their way because theyll find any way to distract the issue of equality. The members on the other side are trying to interject abortion into this. I want to say that even though women, a me so far as Record Number of women, lawmakers here in this house, we so far to go, and this corrects that injustice and equality for women under the law. As the great Shirley Chisholm and i quote, she was the of t africanamerican woman congress, the time is clearly now to put this house on record for the fullest expression of equality of opportunity hich our Founding Fathers possess. They possessed it but they did not assure it. Do for s they tried to their sons. I encourage support of this bill. You. The speaker pro tempore the georgia. From mr. Collins thank you, madam speaker. I still reserve. The speaker pro tempore the reserves. The gentleman from new york is recognized. Mr. Nadler madam speaker, i now yield one minute to the gentlelady from virginia, representative wexton. The speaker pro tempore the virginia is rom recognized for one minute. Ms. Wexton i thank the gentleman for yielding. Speier forgresswoman introducing this important resolution. Introduced ce paul the equal rights amendment to include women in our nations founding document. Later during my time in the Virginia State senate, i sponsored the resolution for virginia to the e. R. A. But it wouldnt be until january historic with the number of women lawmakers serving in the state legislature that the great commonwealth of virginia became the 38th and equal tate to ratify the rights amendment. This was not simply a symbolic vote. Equalitylly, affirming on the basis of sex in the constitution will strengthen tate and federal laws that protect women. We need the e. R. A. To ensure that equal justice under law is constitutional right for women, not just an inscription supreme entrance of the court. Finally, these words will ring true. Equality of rights under the law be denied or abridged by the United States or by any sex. On account of today, i am proud to cast my vote in support of the e. R. A. Of the ecognition tireless work of so many trailblazers and activistsing the years. Ver i urge my colleagues to do the same. Thank you and i yield back. The peaker pro tempore gentlewoman from new york the gentleman from new york reserves. The gentleman from georgia is recognized. Mr. Collins reserve. The speaker pro tempore the reserves. From georgia the gentleman from new york is recognized. Mr. Nadler madam speaker, i now ield one minute to the distinguished gentlelady from illinois, representative underwood. The speaker pro tempore the illinois is rom recognized for one minute. Mr. Woodall ms. Underwood thank you. I rise in strong support of h. J. Res. 79, a barrel bill that moves a bipartisan bill that us closer to adopting the equal rights amendment. Madam speaker, women are barrier breakers. We have broken down barriers and ceiling in wn glass education, in the workplace, in military. Women are leading in a way we before. D pay disparities and inequalities own. Not go away on their thats why we need to ensure that womens rights are guaranteed by adopting the equal rights amendment. In 2018 when illinois ratified the e. R. A. At long last. Later, i am here on the house floor because the women of Northern Illinois sent for them. Fight i am here to fight for our right as women to equal treatment constitution of our great country. I urge all my colleagues to move closer to t step legal equality by supporting this essential bill. Back. Yield thank you. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new york reserves. He gentleman from georgia reserves. The gentleman from new york is recognized. Mr. Nadler madam speaker, i now yield one minute to the distinguished gentlelady from bonamici. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from oregon is recognized for one minute. Ms. Bonamici thank you, madam speaker. In strong support of this resolution to remove the thetrary deadline to ratify equal rights amendment. This year is the centennial of yet, women endment, are still fighting, fighting for the and equal rights under law. Women continue to face many barriers to true equality, pregnancy and gender discrimination, unequal pay, and a lack of access to a full range Reproductive Health care services. The equal rights amendment to he constitution would provide for fundamental equality for women, regardless of who is supremet, who is on the court, or changes in federal law. Congress first approved the 1972, and my home state of oregon was quick to year. It the following and now 38 states, the required 3 4 under the constitution, have ratified the amendment. And today, congress will stand ith our states and make it clear that it is time, actually adopt the equal rights amendment. Its not too late to do the right thing. Late for equality. I urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution, and i yield back the balance of my time. The peaker pro tempore gentleman from new york reserves. The gentleman from georgia reserves. The gentleman from new york is recognized. Mr. Nadler madam speaker, i now yield one minute to the distinguished gentleman from the of virginia, representati representative buyer. Beyer. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from virginia is recognized for one minute. Been 48 since the e. R. A. Passed the house and senate. Ive had 8 years, three daughters and one granddaughter. Those four young women are brilliant, precocious, accomplished with strong great noebt. And know built. Built. Nobility. Im very proud that the commonwealth of virginia was the 38th state to ratify the e. R. A. Permanently remove the deadline for state ratification equal rights for gender. Quote, women shall have equal in the United States and every place subject to its jurisdiction . Abridged hould not be by the United States by any state on the account of sex. In the rds belong constitution. Theres nothing partisan about recognizing men and women have law. Rights under the i urge my colleagues to support this resolution and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the entleman from new york reserves. The gentleman from georgia. Mr. Collins thank you, madam speaker. I reserve. The speaker pro tempore the reserves. The gentleman from new york is recognized. Mr. Nadler madam speaker, i now ield one minute to the distinguished gentlelady from illinois, ms. Schakowsky. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from illinois is one minute. Or schakowsky every single constitution in the whole world 1959, including fghanistan, for example, has the equivalent of the equal rights amendment, but the united of america does not. Hough my colleagues on the other side of the aisle and president trumps department of tell you otherwise, we need the equal rights we need it now. The requisite number of states ave now voted to ratify the equal rights amendment. Last year, my home state of to nois was the 37th state ratify, and this year virginia 38. Ght us to that number of and today, i will proudly vote my grandchildren, my granddaughters, and my grandsons women are not only strong nd powerful and resilient but also equal citizens under the law. Do to colleagues to stand with us and i yield back my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new york reserves. Mr. Collins reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from georgia reserves. The gentleman from new york is recognized. Mr. Nadler madam speaker, i now yield one minute to the gentlelady from california, mrs. Matsui. Ms. Matsui. The speaker pro tempore the recognized. Is ms. Matsui when i think about the future of our country and like for t it to look young women and girls, like my anna, i want equal society, fair play, equal access to basic health care rights. Is why the equal rights necessary. S for too long, our countrys structural barriers have cast a rights. Over womens with 38 states having affirmed their support for the e. R. A. , we closer to p shattering those barriers. His resolution negates misguided arguments that because its some arbitrary deadline, equal rights amendment is effectively dead. Its clear from the recent andons of nevada, illinois, virginia, and our collective voices, its still very much untiland we will not rest it is engrained in the most sacred document of our nations history. Urge my colleagues to stand women and untrys support our right to constitutional equality. Thank you and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the entleman from new york reserves. The gentleman from georgia. Mr. Collins reserves. Tempore the o gentleman from new york is recognized. Mr. Nadler madam speaker, i now yield one minute to the gentlelady from california, mrs. Davis. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from california is one minute. Or mrs. Davis thank you. Thank you, madam speaker. Years ago, r, 244 women were left out of our onstitution by the men who drafted it. But since then, generations of have blazed a steady trail towards equality in country. But we still do not have constitutional equality. Attended many e. R. A. Events, representing the league of women 1970s, and if someone would have told me then we would still be doing this in 2020 i would have said of justice. Lure why is anyone against rights for everyone . Qual rights for women, they transcend your politics, your age, and your gender. Continue his country to receive unequal pay, suffer from harassment in the workplace, endure discrimination pregnancies and fight long legal battles over domestic cases. E a correction of our constitution is clearly long overdue. And justice for all must apply equally to women and men. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewomans time has expired. Mrs. Davis lets pass this resolution. Thank you, madam speaker. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new york reserves. The gentleman from georgia reserves. The gentleman from new york is recognized. Nadler madam speaker, i now yield one minute to the istinguished gentlelady from new york, ms. Velazquez. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from new york is recognized for one minute. You. Velazquez thank madam speaker, 28 days ago on jr. s luther king birthday, virginia became the e. R. A. Ate to ratify the after decades of struggles, 48 ears after congressional passage, 2 3 of states agreed to n amendment that secures equal rights for all american citizens, regardless of sex. Amendment will touch every corner of our lives. 24 words, our nation will asally fully recognize women equal participants in society. To my colleagues opposing the are you afraid of . How can you oppose this look women nd then in your district, in your churches, in your own homes in eye . Today is your chance to stand on story. Ht side of her i implore my colleagues, vote h. J. Res. 79. Finish this and at long last women and men are finally the law with the rights enshrined in the u. S. Constitution. Yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new york reserves. Georgia eman from reserves. The gentleman from new york is recognized. Nadler mr. Nadler i yield 45 seconds to the distinguished gentlelady from california, ms. Chu. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from california is recognized for 45 seconds. Ms. Chu since women gained the right to vote 100 years ago, we made incredible progress, rolling back laws like those that kept us from serving on juries, owning land, or even getting our own credit card. This congress has more women than ever. But true equality is still a goal not a reality. The fact is women are still paid less than men for the same work. And we still have men passing laws that dictate our choices about our bodies. Its clear if we want equality we need the e. R. A. And the people agree, we saw that at womens marches across the country and in the groundswell of the me, too movement. That energy is leading to change. The people are speaking, its up to us to listen. Arbitrary deadlines are no reason to silence our voices. I urge my colleagues to vote yes and give women the same rights as men. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new york reserves. The gentleman from georgia, reserves. The gentleman from new york is recognized. Mr. Nadler madam speaker, i now yield 45 seconds to the distinguished gentlelady from california, ms. Lee. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from california is recognized for 45 seconds. Ms. Lee thank you very much. I thank the chairman for yielding. Madam speaker, i rise in strong support today of congresswoman ehrs speiers h. J. Res. 39. Id like to thank her for her consistent leadership. The e. R. A. Would guarantee rights to all and would finally affirm womens equality in our constitution by removing this arbitrary deadline. And we know that too often women have been relegated to the silence and left out of the constitution, especially black women and women of color. For example there are still rampant gender wage discrimination. Discrimination against women must end. Thats why the e. R. A. Is so important. It would make sure that our government would ensure that women are treated equally. A right that needs to be clearly outlined in every aspect of our country. I want my granddaughters, jordan, a moan, and giselle, to know they are equal to men. The speaker pro tempore the gentleladys time has expired. Ms. Lee every girl and woman deserve equality in their country. They should know their contry, the United States of america, has finally joined the rest of the world to stand up the speaker pro tempore the gentleladys time has expired. The gentleman from new york reserves. The gentleman from georgia reserves. The gentleman from new york is recognized. Mr. Nadler madam speaker, i now yield 45 seconds to the distinguished gentleman from hawaii, representative case. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from hawaii is recognized for 45 seconds. Mr. Case madam speaker, i rise in very strong support of this resolution to advance the cause of full and equal rights for all women. I do so for my 1yearold granddaughter, for whom i deeply hope that when she reaches the age of understanding the e. R. A. Will be as enshrined in our constitution as is the right to vote today. I also do so as a proud citizen of hawaii. On march 22, 1972, when the u. S. Senate sent the e. R. A. To the states, it was early in the morning in hawaii. But by shortly after noon that same day, our legislature voted for ratification. The first state to do so. For my country and hawaii and for all of our Women Leaders who led this fight, past and present, i proudly join my colleagues in voting for the e. R. A. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new york reserves. The gentleman from georgia. Mr. Collins reserve. The speaker pro tempore reserves. The gentleman from new york is recognized. Mr. Nadler madam speaker, i now yield 45 seconds to the distinguished gentlelady from florida, ms. Wasserman schultz. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from florida is recognized for 45 seconds. Miss bulls thank ms. Wasserman schultz thank you, madam speaker. After nearly a cren transit equal rights amendment is on the cusp of ratification. Americas founding, women were intentionally left out of the constitution. As second class citizens, we lacked the right to vote, hold most jobs, or even own property. Today we still receive less pay for the same work, and we take advance and harassment for being a woman. But the e. R. A. Will prohibit that. In the eyes of our most sacred document, we will finally be equal. Womens rights should not depend on congressional whims or who occupies the white house. These basic fundamental rights must be guaranteed. But if we want to hand a more Perfect Union over to our daughters, and i have two of them, we must seize this moment to end sex discrimination. We owe it to the women who sacrifice before us and all of our daughters and sons who deserve a life of true equality. I urge my colleagues to vote yes on this resolution to remove the arbitrary and outdated deadline for ratifying the e. R. A. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new york reserves. The gentleman from georgia reserves. The gentleman from new york is recognized. One minute left. Mr. Nadler i reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new york reserves. The gentleman from georgia mr. Collins thank you, madam speaker. Im confirming the chairman we are ready to close, is that correct . Good. Madam speaker, before i begin my close, i yield to the gentleman from wisconsin for parliamentary inquiry. Mr. Sensenbrenner madam speaker, parliamentary inquiry. It is my intention to raise a point of order that this resolution requires a 2 3 vote. I will argue the point of order when it is made. But i need to know when the proper time is to raise the oint of order. The speaker pro tempore the proper time would be when the chair puts the question on passage. Mr. Sensenbrenner before or after it has passed . The speaker pro tempore before. At the time the chair puts the question. Mr. Sensenbrenner i thank the chair. Mr. Collins im prepared to close. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Collins thank you, madam speaker. It has been interesting the discussion on the floor today. Its been interesting on both sides to hear the different aspects of why this bill is on the floor, why we are doing it, why we shouldnt be doing it, and many things. Its been interesting the discussion if you go from a strictly number of states category. Whats been interesting is my colleagues across the aisle have talked about that there are now 38 states but they fail to mention five states who rescinded. Five states would put you under 38, what is interesting to me in the rules committee the other night their argument was that if they rescinded its not valid to rescind, but yet you can add states after the time when it is up. Thats an interesting argument to make if you are actually looking at it from the perspective they rescinded within the time frame, but yet passed it after the time frame that thats ok. Then i actually heard of my colleagues actually mention the fact that if we passed it in here today, that this would now become part of the process along with the state of virginia ratifying it, its now part of our constitution. Im sure this was just a euphoric discussion about how this would actually go p about, but they were forgetting the senate is involved in this. Its amazing as we take down i was worried at one point, i turned to on the discussion that there it was said on multiple occasion that is there was no protection in the constitution for women. I was almost scared for a moment that the 14th amendment had been repealed and didnt know it. It is in there and still in there. Checked just a few minutes ago. Its safe. It is interesting to determine when ruth bader ginsberg, one of the foremost architects in looking at this bill even in the 1970s comer forward said, if you want to do this, start over. Do it the proper way. As my chairman has said earlier, basically a deadline should not get in the way of what we want. A deadline should not get in the way of what i want to have happen. Thats becoming more and more of a concern in this body. That the rules and parliamentary procedures dont matter. If it interferes with what we want. But at the end of the day the question really becomes is why are we doing this . Why are we bringing this forward when there is absolutely no legal precedent, no constitutional precedent, no anything out there, including some of the founders who actually started this, whole process, 40plus years ago, who say this is not the way you do it. And the reason i know that that is a concern is because some of those who actually said this have been criticized in the media from the perspective of supporters of the e. R. A. To say they have now, Ruth Bader Ginsbergs comments have killed the e. R. A. Or effectively done it. The reason is because shes speaking the truth about this issue. We disagree on most everything from a legal perspective. On this one we happen to agree. Shes laid forth clearly what should happen here. Let me also say, its been talked about a great deal, so i they we just need to come to the real scenario why this is happening. Not that we believe it will happen for anybody here that believes that today is going to put it in part of the constitution, thats not going to happen. What is it . Its a political nod to the understanding of those who are speaking for this. As we have heard earlier, naral, prochoice america with ratification of the e. R. A. Reinforce the constitutional right to abortion by clarifying sexes either week wall rights which will require judges to strike down antiabortion laws. Also naral, the e. R. A. Will support protecting womens right to abortion with five antichoice justices on the Supreme Court and row wade on the chopping block more important than ever, we codify womens bodily autonomy in our lives. Codirector abortion restrictions amount to sex discrimination because they single out people for unfair treatment on the basis of sex. The senior counsel of the National Womens law center, the e. R. A. Would create a basis for challenging abortion restrictions. This is what this is actually about. This is what the basis is needed because there is has been shasting in this country to understand that in our opinion and many opinion that abortion is simply murder in the womb. It is not about life. Its interesting we are talking about the rights of women today which again this bill doesnt have anything to do with it, but we are not concerned if the young women in the womb are even to have a birthday. Thats not a concern. So what would happen from these votes who are supporting the resolution today . Why do they want it . Because it gives a claim to start to finish unfettered abortion. What does that mean . That means lets bring back partialbirth abortion, which if i have to remind anybody here, that means the delivery of the child all the way to the moment the chin almost out and then actually crushing their skull. Thats what that is. If thats a right we are protecting, i dont want any part of it. Neither does most americans. They dont want a part of it. Thats one of those restriction that is will be paid laid back. It will also continue to allow unlimited abortions in any state for any reason including sex selection. Its interesting we would talk about this today, the e. R. A. And use this. Yet a family could choose to abort a child because its a male or female. Lets be honest about this. But the bottom line for me, what really bothers me the most when its unlimited, unfettered accesstoportion this bill opens up if it was to pass was one that his close to home for me. You see aure peaian country recently stated a european country recently stated, geneticist in iceland said we almost eradicate the Downs Syndrome people. I thought to myself for a second. That would be great f we could remove down syndrome and help those and cure that, that would be amazing medical discovery for all people except there is one portion, you know how they have done it . Through genetic testing and killing the children in the womb. They dont even let them have a birthday. One counsels mothers as follows, this is your life. You have a right to choose how your life will look. We dont look at abortion as murder, we look at as a thing we ended. You know why this has opened up, america . This is why. For those of us like myself who have a disabled child, i do not want to hear that we are protecting disabled rights and other rights when we are not even allowing them to be born in certain arenas. Every day i get a text on this phone. Its from my daughter. Jordan is 27 years old. She has spina bifida. She cannot walk and has never took a step. And i believe probably given the medical condition will not happen this side of heaven. But she rolls and she smiles. She goes to work three days a week. She gets herself up early to put her clothes on and take her shower and get a bus she calls and goes to work. The folks in sweden, you know what they want to do, kill her, because she is not as valuable as a down syndrome child is not as valuable. You want to open this pandoras box of no abortion restrictions, own what youre doing. When jordan texts me, she texts me good morning, daddy, i love you. Hows your day . 27 years ago when we found out a week ago, 27 years ago, that spina as going to have bifida, we were a young couple just happy that god give us a child. And to find out that she had a disability only kept our hearts more in tuned to what god had given. But my wife went to school the next week and she was telling the teacher about what was going on, she said we are trying to figure out where we need to go to have jordans help when shes born and get more medical attention. This person looked at her and said you know you have choices, correct . And my wife said, yes, theres north side hospital, no, no, dear. You dont have to go through with this. Thats your choice. In other words, as my wife looked at her and said, youre talking about my baby. You see, when we go down this path, dont flower this bill up. Look at the ones who actually talk about it. And say this is an open door to abortion own demand with no restrictions, no government interpeerns, in fact government pay for t but before you do that, america, as we look around, i want you to think of the picture on the new gesher baby ad of the young person with down syndrome who is now the face of gesher baby food, if he was in ice lapd he would have been one of those that said oh, we end it. Think about my daughter, for and e who are struggling, to get a news that you have a child with disability, thats amazingly devastatingly things you can hear because you dont know what the future holds but you do know life is a gift from god. And it is my joy to take care of her. 30 major surgeries before she was 5 years old. Hree of which were nine hours in length. Tell me her life doesnt matter. Someone who doesnt have the possibility of understanding it and theyre given a choice they have a disability and somebody tells and says, dont worry. Disabilities are bad. Just go ahead and end that life and go on with your life, this up. Hat this opens so dont give me a bill thats nowhere for the reasons thats been given. The true reasons are found in your own supporters. Reasons are found in true. E know to be isn you understand what this about. I will stand until i have no for the th in my body right of those who cant speak for themselves. To me that it was what would i be saying to my daughter if i voted will be saying to jordan, jordan, the 14th amendments still there. Rotections in law are still there. And by the way, restrictions on bortion will not be done away with. And your life matters. So if you want a picture of picture jordan. And i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. Yields. Leman the gentleman from new york is recognized. R. Nadler madam speaker, once again, congress can enact a limit. Ion putting a time it can enact a resolution to remove a time limit. When the Senate Passes it, the will be part of the constitution. I now yield the balance of our time to the distinguished from michigan, representative tlaib. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from michigan is recognized. Ms. Tlaib thank you so much. I rise very proudly, the first ever elected in congress, in support of house 79. T resolution i swear whats even more interesting is what ive been obsession ut is this to control and oppress women in the United States of america. 2020, t believe its were still debating the merits of equal rights amendment. Time. Eyond i want you all to know this is about women of color, women with disabilities, transgender women, immigrant women. Hese women are affected by issues like unequal pay, sexual violence, lack of access to poverty, so much of what were doing here in trying to promote womens gender, is about racial, economic justice. So i would ask you all, know no vote today condoning oppression of women in the United States of america and i i yield back nd the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore on this vote, the yeas are 232, the nays are 183. He joint resolution is passed. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. Stacey abrams brantford georgia governor ran for georgia governor in 2018. She discusses the possibility of being the democratic president ial nominees running mate. Had lunch with this guy named joe biden. Had lunch and dinner with a lot of other candidates. Following that wonderful lunch with the Vice President , speculation began about me running has his Vice President. He did not ask. I did not answer. I got this very unusual question about whether i would want to be Vice President long before we had candidates for the office. You do not run for second place in a primary. To stand inonored service with the nominee of our party. If that nominee decides they would like for me to serve as their running mate and as Vice President of the United States, i would be honored to do so. [cheers and applause] Stacey Abrams remarks to be seen at it 00 p. M. Eastern tonight on cspan. P. M. Eastern tonight on cspan. Tonight, live at 11 00 p. M. Eastern, joe biden, pete buttigieg, senator amy klobuchar, tom steyer, senator bernie sanders, and senator Elizabeth Warren speak before clark county democrats. Sunday at 5 00 p. M. Eastern, joe biden, pete buttigieg, amy klobuchar, and tom steyer speak at a forum on infrastructure. Watch on cspan. Org and listen on the go on the free cspan radio app. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg discussed the 100 anniversary of the ratification of the 19th amendment. This was hosted by the Georgetown University law center. Thank you