The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) is back in the news. Currently before Congress is H.J. Resolution 79, which would retroactively remove the ratification deadline from the original Equal Rights Amendment legislation, passed by Congress in 1972. 

Not only is the ERA a dangerous amendment to begin with, retroactively changing the ratification deadline would have implications for Article V conventions.

Suppose an Article V convention was held that proposed an amendment that gutted the Second Amendment. By the same logic that is being used to indefinitely extend the time to ratify the ERA, this anti-Second Amendment amendment could also be given unlimited time for ratification. Such a development would greatly increase the odds for ratification of this dangerous amendment.

Recently, Shawn Meehan, the founder of Guard The Constitution and Robert Brown, Constitutional Scholar, both Article V experts, invited Convention of States Leader Mark Meckler to debate an Article V Convention at the Idaho Legislature. While we aren’t surprised that Mr. Meckler didn’t show up, Robert and Shawn were able to educate many attendees regarding the true facts about a convention.

As we have seen some early success in the Con-Con battle, we must keep up the fight. Recently HJR 5001, the Convention of States model resolution for a federal Constitutional Convention, failed in the South Dakota House because of our efforts in fighting for the Constitution. 

Also, the South Carolina Legislature had an overflow crowd at a special Article V committee hearing. JBS Field Coordinator Evan Mulch was confident in our defense of the Constitution and even thought that many COS leaders left early because they didn't want to listen to our facts!

While things went well for us that day, there was no vote so it is vital that we don't stop the fight. Evan suggested that there will be another hearing this week so we must gather the troops again to push back against these COS supporters! 

As the Con-Con battle continues to ramp up, we must stay aware of what is happening in our state. Contact your local coordinator, and if you haven't done so already, sign up for our Legislative Email Alerts!