Since 1971, we’ve had a Lobby Corps. Currently between 20-25 members of Leagues across the National Capital Area convene once a month when Congress is in session for briefings on League legislative priorities. Lobby Corps members receive assignments to lobby select members of Congress on these priorities. The Lobby Corp increases the League presence on the Hill and helps keep the membership informed. Find out more by downloading our flyer. If you are interested in joining the Lobby Corps, please fill out this application.
Contact: Jackie Coolidge
Overcoming ERA Hurdles
As we all know, the Equal Rights Amendment is on its way to winning its 38th state ratification in the Virginia state legislature. In an ideal world, that would automatically bring it into force throughout the US, but there are some likely hurdles.
When the ERA was passed by Congress in 1972 and sent to the states for ratification, the pre-amble included a deadline of 1979 (later extended to 1982). Unfortunately, only 35 states had ratified it (and some even voted to rescind their ratification).
The text of the resolution, which has bi-partisan support, reads, very simply:
“Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That notwithstanding any time limit contained in House Joint Resolution 208, 92nd Congress, as agreed to in the Senate on March 22, 1972, the article of amendment proposed to the States in that joint resolution shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution whenever ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States.”
Lobby Corps will be visiting all Senators who have not yet signed on as co-sponsors.
Jackie Coolidge