← Back to Bills
H.J.Res. 79House116th Congress (2019-2021)Passed House

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

Sponsored by Jackie SpeierRep. Jackie Speier (D-CA)
Introduced November 8, 2019

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 14, 2026 at 9:25 AM UTC

This joint resolution removes the deadline that was set for the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). It says that any time limit in the original 1972 resolution no longer applies, so the ERA can become part of the Constitution whenever three‑quarters of the states ratify it. The change affects all U.S. states and the process for amending the Constitution.

Key Provisions

  • Eliminates the deadline originally imposed on the ERA’s ratification in the 1972 joint resolution.
  • Specifies that the ERA will be valid as part of the Constitution once ratified by the legislatures of three‑fourths of the states, with no time limit.

Legislative Activity

Stay on top of the latest movement without scrolling through every action

18 earlier actions
SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

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

Judiciary Committee

February 13, 2020

View full timeline
HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

November 8, 2019

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

November 8, 2019

HouseCommittee

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

Constitution and Limited Government Subcommittee

November 9, 2019

HouseCommittee

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

Judiciary Committee

November 12, 2019

HouseCommittee

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

Judiciary Committee

November 13, 2019

HouseCommittee

Ordered to be Reported (Amended).

Judiciary Committee

November 13, 2019

HouseCommittee

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

Judiciary Committee

January 16, 2020

HouseCalendars

Placed on the House Calendar, Calendar No. 70.

January 16, 2020

HouseFloor

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.

February 10, 2020 • 7:15 PM

HouseFloor

Rule H. Res. 844 passed House.

February 11, 2020 • 2:22 PM

HouseFloor

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

February 13, 2020 • 9:16 AM

HouseFloor

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.

February 13, 2020 • 9:16 AM

HouseFloor

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

February 13, 2020 • 9:17 AM

HouseFloor

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

February 13, 2020 • 10:48 AM

HouseFloor

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.

February 13, 2020 • 10:51 AM

HouseFloor

Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 232 - 183 (Roll no. 70).

View vote Passed

February 13, 2020 • 11:21 AM

HouseFloor

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

View vote Passed

February 13, 2020 • 11:21 AM

HouseFloor

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

February 13, 2020 • 11:21 AM

SenateIntro Referral

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

Judiciary Committee

February 13, 2020

Voting History

1 vote recorded • Roll call available

HOUSE

Roll Call Available

February 13, 2020 at 11:19 AM

On Passage

Majority required: 1/2 (50%)

Passed

232 - 183

Amendments

1 amendment

Offered to this bill

Bill Text

4 versions available

Reading Mode
Latest
Raw Text PDF XML
Engrossed in HouseIssued February 13, 2020

116th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. J. RES. 79

JOINT RESOLUTION

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

That notwithstanding any time limit contained in House Joint Resolution 208, 92d Congress, as agreed to in the Senate on March 22, 1972, the article of amendment proposed to the States in that joint resolution shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the United States Constitution whenever ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States.

Passed the House of Representatives February 13, 2020.

Clerk.