1. United States
2. Ark.
3. Letter

The equal rights amendment deserves to be published as the 28th amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It has already been ratified by the required number of states. Two related joint resolutions, H.J. Res. 17 and S.J. Res. 1, would remove the ratification deadline and recognize the amendment as having met the requirements for being added to the Constitution. This amendment provides a constitutional guarantee that equality of rights cannot be denied or abridged by the federal government, state governments, or the private sector on account of sex. It would advance gender equality and prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in areas such as divorce, employment, property, and more. With enough state ratifications already obtained years ago, Congress has the authority and obligation to certify and publish this long-overdue amendment.