As we mentioned in our last alert on the ERA, proponents are still using every strategy in their arsenal to pass the ERA.
As you may recall S.J. Res. 284 passed the Senate 26 to 14 and although it was defeated in the House subcommittee of the Privileges and Elections Committee – it actually remains “alive” in the House of Delegates until the day of adjournment which is scheduled for this Saturday, February 23.
Because ERA supporters do not have the votes to pass the ERA out of the Privileges and Elections Committee, they are proposing two Rule Changes that “discharge” the Committee to bring S.J. Res. 284 directly to the floor of the House of Delegates. These proposals include that the House of Delegates only need to pass them with a majority, not the typical two-thirds.
In response, Delegate Todd Gilbert (R-District 15) introduced H. Res. 279 to preserve the two-thirds vote required to pass a Rules Change.
All three proposed Rules Changes are scheduled to be brought to a vote TOMORROW, Wednesday, February 20. Because the House of Delegates has 51 Republicans and 49 Democrats, this process vote is critical!
Please pray that the ERA will be stopped tomorrow.
Please take action NOW!
Please email all the Republican delegates listed below by clicking on each of their names. Respectfully urge them to oppose any Rule Changes that would enable the ERA to go to the House floor instead of going through committee and to support Todd Gilbert’s Rules Change, H. Res 279. Insist that the delegates be present when these Rules Changes are voted on. Be sure to let them know that you are a member of Concerned Women for America of Virginia.
For more information about the ERA view our talking points.
Toni DeLancey
State Director
CWA of Virginia