1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

The 2022 Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson overturned Roe v. Wade, stripping away the federal constitutional right to abortion and allowing states to enact draconian bans on reproductive healthcare. With the threat of a nationwide abortion ban looming under the incoming administration, enshrining the Equal Rights Amendment into the U.S. Constitution is now more crucial than ever to safeguard women's fundamental rights. The ERA met all the requirements for ratification over 40 years ago, having been approved by two-thirds of Congress in 1972 and ratified by three-fourths of states by 2020. However, it remains uncertified by the Archivist of the United States, an unconscionable delay given the ERA would provide robust federal protections against sex-based discrimination, including forced pregnancy and denial of reproductive care. Certifying the ERA before leaving office is a monumental opportunity to secure your legacy as a stalwart defender of civil liberties and gender equality. I implore you to direct the Archivist to officially publish the Equal Rights Amendment as the 28th Amendment without further delay. Women's basic human rights and bodily autonomy hang in the balance.