VCC Magazine Winter 2020

V irginia C apitol C onnections , W inter 2020 25 ERA Built on a False Premise By Senator Amanda Chase While I’m all for advancing women and promoting equal opportunities for women; I have serious concerns that the so- called Equal Rights Amendment actually accomplishes this goal. In fact, it’s actually the opposite. It takes women backward. First, the stated purpose of the ERA is a flat out lie. The ERA has been promoted as an amendment that supports and makes women equal to men, yet it’s actually a ploy by the left to eliminate gender altogether. It’s a deceptive “Trojan horse” using women to accomplish this end goal. In America, all legal citizens are guaranteed equal protection under the law and due process. These guarantees are enshrined in the 14th Amendment. Saying otherwise its inaccurate and anyone who does say otherwise is building their argument on a false premise. We are all American citizens, first-class and nothing else. A problematic issue with today’s proposed Equal Rights Amendment is that it has a ratification deadline that has passed. Originally written with a deadline for 1979, an extension moved the ratification deadline to 1982. The deadline has passed, this bill cannot be enacted. Moreover, several stares that had ratified the ERA have since rescinded their ratification, so even if Virginia were to pass this we would not be the 38th required state to complete the amendment process. There are a few potential concerns that the proposed ERA bill could create and future legislation would have to clarify. Selective Service, more commonly known as the draft, would include women. Prisons would no longer be exclusive to gender. Bathrooms, locker rooms, changing rooms, etc. would be handled differently. The ERA would certainly not do anything to create more liberty for anyone. The ERA actually makes women more vulnerable. Some make the case to pass the ERA just to remove any doubt on equality. That is an insufficient reason because no doubt should have existed to begin with.We are sending the wrong message to kids today if we in-act “Special Rights” vs truly Equal Rights. Radical supporters, use the ERA as an advanced tool to dilute gender fluidity, a wedge issue to divide America. This is a disingenuous attempt of the liberal left to revive a failed amendment. That is worrisome. Framing support for flawed legislation as support for a specific group of people is entirely dishonest. As a Republican woman, I find this line of attack especially offensive. These flaws are insurmountable. The ERA scam is not helping women but hurts them and the proposed legislation has already expired. An equal rights amendment is already in the Constitution, found in the 14thAmendment’s guarantee of equal protection and due process. If the ERA passes then a good question to ask its female supporters is: what will be the first new liberty you will enjoy? For me, I may join my dad at the gun range to practice my marksmanship and exercise my freedom, but that will have nothing to do with the ERA. Senator Amanda Chase represents the 11th District, covering Amelia, Colonial Heights, and part of Chesterfield. NRV Putting Passengers A Broad-based Regional Initiative For more information, visit www.nrvpassengerrail.org • Enabling future economic development opportunities • Promoting safer, more efficient travel on the I-81 corridor Passenger train travel to the New River Valley, one of Virginia’s fastest-growing regions Safe, Efficient and Convenient Passenger Rail for a Fast-Growing Region NewRiver Valley RA I L 2 0 2 0 Putting Passengers On Track • past editions online • subscribe • advertise WWW. VCCQM . ORG V