Biden declares Equal Rights Amendment as Twenty-Eighth Amendment despite legal challenges

Last week, President Joe Biden declared the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) as the Twenty-Eighth Amendment, despite lacking the authority to do so. This statement contradicts his previous stance, where he fought against the ERA in federal lawsuits. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand supported Biden's declaration, claiming it validated the states' ratification. However, critics noted that Biden's administration previously argued against the ERA's validity, and a recent court ruling stated the amendment is not valid due to an expired ratification deadline. Biden's statement has prompted calls for new lawsuits to enforce the ERA, despite previous legal challenges. Critics argue that this approach undermines women's equality, as ongoing legal cases may complicate the ERA's enforcement.