Pressley, Bush, Frankel Led ERA Caucus, Dem. Womens Caucus in March to Senate Prior to Vote
WASHINGTON At a Capitol Hill press conference today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Co-Chair of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) Caucus, responded to the Senates vote on S.J.Res.4, the Senate companion to her joint resolution with Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) to remove the arbitrary deadline for ratification of the ERA and positively affirm it as the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The resolution received 51 votes of support, short of the 60 necessary for passage in the Senate.
Earlier today, Rep. Pressley, along with ERA Caucus Co-Chair Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01) and Democratic Womens Caucus Chair Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-22), led the ERA Caucus and the Democratic Womens Caucus members in marching to the Senate chamber to demand passage of the bill.
Full video of Rep. Pressleys remarks is available here and a transcript is available below. Video of the lawmakers march to the Senate is available here.
Transcript: Rep. Pressley Responds to Senates Vote on Equal Rights AmendmentU.S. Senate SwampApril 27, 2023
You know, having been an aide before I was an elected official for some 16 years, you know, very often our aides write these incredible talking points for us. And then as Members, we get up here and just adlib.
Im gonna do a mix because I am a little emotional.
I understand Leader Schumer very much when he said that were not going to curse the darkness, but I want to talk about what it felt like to be in the Senate chamber today.
Myself, Congresswoman Cori Bush who is founding Co-Chair of the ERA Caucus in the House, the first in the history of the House we led a House delegation of our colleagues to sit in the Senate chamber today when the vote took place.
It was very demoralizing to learn that there were colleagues who did not even deem this issue worthy of debate. It was incredibly hurtful to see those colleagues come in to vote today and defiantly put their thumb down as if they were not birthed by women and dont have women in their own families or daughters that they are raising.
I wish that I could say Im disappointed. But in order to be disappointed, I would have to be surprised. It is simply another day in this place. Another day of obstruction of justice, of the undermining of democracy, of demoralizing and dangerous attacks against women.
And yet despite it all, we aint gonna let nobody turn us around. Because the women of this country, sadly, are battle tested. Were battle tested because we have had to soldier on. We have taken care of our families, our communities, this democracy.
In the midst of and in the residual aftermath of policy violence, I would venture to guess that you have grown tired and weary of our statistics of all the disparate treatment that women experience in this country. Imagine how tired we are of living them.
But I am emboldened in this moment and grateful for the partnership and leadership of Senator Cardin, Majority Leader Schumer, Congresswoman Bush, our Senate colleagues, and advocates.
And I also want to give a shout out to Congresswoman Maloney and Congresswoman Speier because they were very intentional as they passed the baton in this fight to two Black women. And those two Black women are leading and centering those who have historically had our contributions erased from history and who were not reflected in the founding document of this country.
So this is a movement now being led by and centering the most marginalized who are in the greatest need of these protections and rights. Its been over 100 years now. Some might think thats a testament to our resilience. I think its a pathetic commentary.
For 100 years now a broad, diverse, multiracial intergenerational of justice seekers, table shakers and movement builders have been organizing relentlessly to enshrine gender equality into the highest law of the land.
Weve done so because for too long our Constitution has failed to recognize the dignity, humanity and equality of women, LGBTQ folks and other marginalized people. Im so proud to join Senator Cardin, our colleagues in introducing a joint resolution to remove the arbitrary deadline imposed by Congress on ratification of the ERA. Our bill would enshrine the ERA as the 28th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America at a time when we face daily sexism, pregnancy discrimination, pay inequities, sexual violence and persistent legislated attacks on our bodily autonomy. Our bill is essential.
But once again, the Jim Crow era rules of the United States Senate are obstructing justice and LGBTQ folks and other marginalized communities. Today, the obstruction of the ERA by some callous Senate Republicans is only the latest example of a damning failure to do the bare minimum to protect our fundamental rights at defining moments in our nations history.
The Senates failure to pass our bill means constitutional inequality. The daily indignities of disparities that come with it will remain the status quo. For now. We aint gonna let nobody turn us around.
Despite this devastating setback, we remain resolved and determined. As Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress and a key strategist to the fight to pass the ERA once said, It is time to sweep away these relics of the past and set further generations free of them.
Her words were true 50 years ago, and they remain true today.
On days like this, I cant help but to think of our 14-year-old daughter Cora. She asked me why at every rally and march we chant when we fight, we win.
I told her, Baby girl, because its the truth. I will not be made a liar to my kid. When we fight, we win. And I do not want my daughter or any daughter, to continue to live in a country where we have normalized and internalized the disparate treatment of women and LGBTQ folks and disparities that follow.
This fight isnt over. Im proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with this coalition.
See the original post here:
VIDEO: Pressley Responds to Senate's Vote on Equal Rights ... - Representative Ayanna Pressley
- 10 Utopian Intentional Communities with Distinct Values [Last Updated On: June 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 12th, 2016]
- Communities Directory - Find Intentional Communities [Last Updated On: June 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 12th, 2016]
- Intentional Communities | Touchstone Mental Health [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2016]
- Intentional community - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: June 17th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2016]
- Welcome to FIC - Fellowship for Intentional Community [Last Updated On: June 17th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2016]
- Intentional Communities | Touchstone Mental Health [Last Updated On: June 19th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 19th, 2016]
- Intentional Communities - A Fairer World [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2016]
- Intentional Communities Asheville (Asheville, NC) - Meetup [Last Updated On: June 27th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 27th, 2016]
- What is an Intentional Community? - Meadowdance [Last Updated On: July 1st, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 1st, 2016]
- Plan B Retirement - Intentional communities [Last Updated On: July 1st, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 1st, 2016]
- Jewish Intentional Communities Initiative - Hazon [Last Updated On: July 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 29th, 2016]
- Twin Oaks Intentional Community - Twin Oaks Intentional ... [Last Updated On: August 19th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 19th, 2016]
- Acorn Community [Last Updated On: August 19th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 19th, 2016]
- Map - Fellowship for Intentional Community [Last Updated On: August 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 21st, 2016]
- Home Page - Elder Intentional Communities [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2016]
- NW NJ Ecovillage - Fellowship for Intentional Community [Last Updated On: October 8th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 8th, 2016]
- Intentional Eucharistic Communities - Home [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2016]
- Intentional Housing Communities | www.hampshire.edu [Last Updated On: November 19th, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 19th, 2016]
- The Camphill Assocation of North America Communities [Last Updated On: November 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 25th, 2016]
- Communes: the pros & cons of intentional community ... [Last Updated On: November 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 29th, 2016]
- Brooklyn Street | Neighborhood Alliance [Last Updated On: November 30th, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 30th, 2016]
- Cohousing - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: December 11th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 11th, 2016]
- Jewish Intentional Communities Conference - Hazon [Last Updated On: December 26th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 26th, 2016]
- As Trump's policies stoke fears, Denver's Muslim community worries about eroding trust in law enforcement - The Denver Post [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Disparities in minority unemployment targeted by Iowa officials - DesMoinesRegister.com [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- ACE program benefits low-income communities - Observer Online [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Coalition Calls Itself The 'Eyes, Ears & Voice' Of Pittsburgh's Black Community - 90.5 WESA [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- 'A community remembers' coming to Hesston - Leavenworth Times [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Take a bow, Sheldon Theatre - Republican Eagle [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Want a happy old age? Get your friends to be your neighbours - Independent Online [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- 'A community remembers' coming to Hesston - News - Butler County ... - Butler County Times Gazette [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Krista Tippett February 01, 2017 - America Magazine [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- To truly serve the public, community stations must apply standards for what's said on-air - Current [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Pastor: We must build bridges between police and local black communities - Fort Worth Star Telegram (blog) [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- A Business Plan for Healthy Communities - Hospitals & Health Networks [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Appalachian's Alternative Service Experience among nation's top 10 ... - Appalachian State University [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- The Death of the Ski Bum and Intentional Tourism - The Catalyst [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Heroin hits home: Highways provide "easy access" for drug trafficking in Franklin County - Herald-Mail Media [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- How Anarchists and Intentional Communities Are Reacting to ... [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Herrick Library: Libraries: The Living Room of our Communities - HollandSentinel.com [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Ohio Continues with Next Phase of InsideOut Initiative to Combat Win-at-All Costs Sports Mentality - 13abc Action News [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Ohio Continues with Next Phase of InsideOut Initiative to Combat Win-at-All Costs Sports Mentality - Norwalk Reflector [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- Ithaca organization encourages people to participate in National Random Acts of Kindness Week - The Ithaca Voice [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- Portland groups form coalition to eradicate hate - KOIN.com [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Dynamic Communities Announces Eric Pearson, Information Security Expert, As GPUG Amplify 2017 Keynote Speaker - MSDynamicsWorld.com (press release) [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Anson County community meeting to fight poverty planned for Feb. 18 - Ansonrecord [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Nash says 'there's more to be done' on diversity at State of the County address - Gwinnettdailypost.com [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Spreading the Faith: Moving Coins and Moving Communities - Patheos (blog) [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- If It Walks Like a Duck - ChicagoNow (blog) [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- Renting land to highest bidder a stumbling block for young people ... - AG Week [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- Immigrant Round-ups Stir Fears - Consortium News [Last Updated On: February 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 19th, 2017]
- Pace: What Should I Give Up This Year? - Covington News [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2017]
- J Mase III of #BlackTransMagick seeks to redistribute resources - Daily Illini [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2017]
- Best approach to panhandlers? Ignore them - Richmond Register [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- South Side getting trauma center, but it'll be far more than just an emergency room - Fox 32 Chicago [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- St. Louis Park cohousing community welcomes home all ages - Minneapolis Star Tribune [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- The Christian Retreat From Public Life - The Atlantic [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- In 'The Unsettlers,' Mark Sundeen looks for lives well lived | Books ... - Missoula Independent [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Column: Community will miss Rev. Irwin's impact - Wicked Local Waltham [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- Cohousing communities gain popularity, including here in Nashville - WKRN.com [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- Better health needs a diverse workforce - Greenville Daily Reflector [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- Cohousing communities gain popularity - WDTN [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- Letters: Dismiss Schimel, others for maps - The Sheboygan Press [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- 12 band members struck by vehicle at Alabama Mardi Gras parade - Chicago Tribune [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Drums, Voices, and Circles - Memphis Democrat [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Family School rebuts report on lack of diversity - Coastal View News [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2017]
- Food: Four Short Talks brings community to the table - Dailyuw [Last Updated On: March 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 2nd, 2017]
- The Wall Street Journal explores trends in Christian community life sort of - GetReligion (blog) [Last Updated On: March 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 2nd, 2017]
- Renting land to highest bidder stumbling block for young people looking to start in agriculture - INFORUM [Last Updated On: March 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 4th, 2017]
- Transportation/Traveling While Living Off Grid - Mother Earth News [Last Updated On: March 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 4th, 2017]
- Reforestation and Civil Disobedience: Aldeia Maracan Urban Indigenous Community Reclaims Olympic Parking - RioOnWatch [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2017]
- Worcester's retiree health costs 'unsustainable' - telegram.com - Worcester Telegram [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2017]
- 12 on Tuesday: Leslie Orrantia - WISC - Channel 3000 - Channel3000.com - WISC-TV3 [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2017]
- By walking the beat, Kalamazoo officers nurture genuine relationships with community - Michigan Radio [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2017]
- Sometimes the Grass Really is Greener - Memphis Democrat [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2017]
- Is Clallam opening the door to tiny houses? | Sequim Gazette - Sequim Gazette [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2017]
- Healthy communities have engaged members - Centre Daily Times (blog) [Last Updated On: March 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 9th, 2017]
- New St. Paul police program aims to mentor recruits - Minneapolis Star Tribune [Last Updated On: March 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 9th, 2017]
- A New Kind of Homeless Village is Coming to Kenton. It's a Big Deal. - The Portland Mercury (blog) [Last Updated On: March 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 10th, 2017]
- Why We Need the Benedict Option and How It Doesn't Have to ... - Patheos (blog) [Last Updated On: March 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 10th, 2017]