With so much at stake for women and for equality, Ms. will be reporting on policy initiatives and progress within Congress and the Biden-Harris administration—as well as tracking the backlash to equality. Every Wednesday, we will keep you updated, informed and ready to push forward!

BY CARRIE N. BAKER | On Monday, May 3, attorneys general from Virginia, Illinois and Nevada filed an appeal with a D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals seeking a declaration that the Equal Rights Amendment is now part of the U.S. Constitution. The Trump administration blocked recognition of the amendment last year after Virginia became the 38th and final state required to ratify the ERA.

Attorneys General Aaron Ford of Nevada, Kwame Raoul of Illinois, and Mark Herring of Virginia—from the 36th, 37th and 38th states respectively to ratify the ERA—are seeking review of a recent lower court decision in March that dismissed their case to enforce ratification of the ERA, Virginia, et al v Ferriero.

“The United States cannot continue forcing women to wait to be recognized as equal under this country’s founding document,” said Virginia Attorney General Herring. “To those who have sent a clear message that they do not believe in women’s equality—it’s time that you move into the 21st century.” (To read the full article, click here.)