A controversial and much-debated amendment, the Equal Rights Amendment was first proposed in the U.S. Congress in 1923. Since that time, it has been introduced in Congress on several occasions, most notably in 1972, when it was approved by both houses with a seven-year deadline for ratification. At that time, 35 states ratified the ERA, thus lacking the requisite number of 38 states. Lacking enough states to ratify the amendment languished for several years despite a temporary renewal deadline for ratification. By 2019, the minimum number of states had endorsed the amendment, but opponents have noted that the deadline for ratification had already passed.

Section 1. Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.

Section 2. The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.

Section 3. This amendment shall take effect two years after the date of ratification.