Congressman Cohen Votes to Advance the Equal Rights Amendment

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, today voted to advance a measure that would eliminate the ratification deadline for the Equal Rights Amendment. The Judiciary Committee approved H.J. Res. 79 by a vote of 21 to 11. Earlier this year, Congressman Cohen chaired the first public hearing on the Equal Rights Amendment in 36 years.

In his opening statement today, Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

"We know that in the year 2019, it is unacceptable that women still are not paid equal wages for equal work. We know that when women are treated with equal dignity and respect in the workplace, in the home, by our institutions of government, and in our society at large, all of the American people stand to benefit. And we know that a simple but fundamental guarantee of equality should be welcomed rather than feared."

See his entire opening statement here.