When America’s Declaration of Independence proclaimed that “all men are created equal,” it made a powerful promise — but it did not fulfill it. For generations, that promise excluded women and many others. Virginians know this history well. Our Commonwealth stood at the heart of America’s founding ideals, and we continue to live with the consequences of its unfinished work.

The Equal Rights Amendment was written to finally make equality real — not symbolic, not conditional, and not left to interpretation. It states clearly and permanently that a person’s rights may not be denied on the basis of sex, color, or religion. No loopholes. No fine print. No waiting for courts to guess what equality means.

Virginia did its part. In 2020, our Commonwealth became the 38th state to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, helping to meet the constitutional requirement for adoption. Virginia stood for fairness, dignity, and equal treatment under the law.

Yet despite that clear mandate, Congress has failed to act.

Some in Washington continue to argue that equality should be conditional — that women, people of color, immigrants, or others do not deserve the same protections under the Constitution. By blocking the ERA, they undermine the very principle our nation was founded upon: equality.

History shows us that amendments are not bound by artificial timelines. The 27th Amendment took more than 200 years to be ratified and was ultimately recognized because the will of the people endured. The Equal Rights Amendment has met the same constitutional standard. The people have spoken.

Now it is time for Congress to listen.

The Declaration of Independence begins with one of America’s most enduring truths: that all are created equal. Passing the Equal Rights Amendment would not change our values — it would complete them.

I will bring the Equal Rights Amendment before Congress again. I will fight efforts that silence states and citizens.