PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.
H.J.Res.79 / 116th Congress

Removing the deadline for the ratification of the equal rights amendment.

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Official summary

Version 53 · Passed House · Feb 13, 2020

This joint resolution eliminates the deadline for the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, which prohibits discrimination based on sex. The amendment was proposed to the states in House Joint Resolution 208 of the 92nd Congress, as agreed to in the Senate on March 22, 1972. The amendment shall be part of the Constitution whenever ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the states.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

Who introduced it

Rep. Speier, Jackie [D-CA-14] · D–CA

Committees

  • Judiciary Committee
  • Judiciary Committee
224 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

  1. Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

  2. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  3. On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 232 - 183 (Roll no. 70). (text: CR H1129)

    House roll call 70 · Individual votes
  4. Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 232 - 183 (Roll no. 70).

    House roll call 70 · Individual votes
  5. POINT OF ORDER - Mr. Sensenbrenner raised a point of order against the vote on passage of the joint resolution, stating that the vote required a two-thirds vote to amend the Constitution. The Chair overruled the point of order, pursuant to H.Res. 842, an affirmative vote of a majority of Members present and voting, is required on final passage of H.J. Res. 79. Mr. Sensenbrenner appealed the ruling of the Chair, and the Chair advised that she had not issued an appealable ruling and thus put the question on passage of the joint resolution.

  6. The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

  7. DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.J. Res. 79.

  8. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2546 and H.J. Res. 79. The resolution provides for one hour of debate on each measure. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 2546 under a structured rule and consideration of H.J.Res. 79 under a closed rule with a motion to recommit with or without instructions for each measure.

  9. Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 844. (consideration: CR H1129-1143)

  10. Rule H. Res. 844 passed House.

  11. Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 844 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2546 and H.J. Res. 79. The resolution provides for one hour of debate on each measure. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 2546 under a structured rule and consideration of H.J.Res. 79 under a closed rule with a motion to recommit with or without instructions for each measure.

  12. Placed on the House Calendar, Calendar No. 70.

  13. Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 116-378.

  14. Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 116-378.

  15. Ordered to be Reported (Amended).

  16. Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  17. Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties Discharged.

  18. Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

  19. Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

  20. Introduced in House

  21. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

Explore the bill from different angles

Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.

Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.J.Res.79 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources
Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.J.Res.79 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources
Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.J.Res.79 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources
Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.J.Res.79 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources