Senate fails to extend deadline to ratify Equal Rights Amendment as most Republicans vote no
The Equal Rights Amendment or ERA, first introduced in Congress a century ago, would enshrine gender equality in the Constitution A push led by Democrats to give more time for states to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, or ERA, failed on Thursday. The measure didn't win the support needed to clear a key 60-vote threshold, with the final tally being 51 to 47. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer changed his vote to no in order to bring it back again in the near future. "This issue is too important, and we are not giving up," Schumer said in brief remarks after the vote. Almost all Republicans voted against the legislation, though Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, lobbied for it in floor remarks before the vote. "We've certainly made great strides as women since 1923, but there is a lot more that needs to be done," she said The ERA, first introduced in Congress a century ago, would enshrine gender equality in the Constitution and states that rights "shall...