Ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment
7
political winds shifted, however, and only thirteen more States ratified
within the next five years.
7
During those years, four States voted to re-
scind their earlier ratifications.
8
A fifth State, South Dakota, later adopted
a resolution providing that its prior ratification would be withdrawn if the
requisite number of the States failed to ratify the ERA within the seven-
year period. S.J. Res. 2, 54th Leg. (S.D. 1979).
As the seven-year deadline approached, Congress considered resolu-
tions that would take the historically unprecedented step of extending the
ratification deadline. See H.R.J. Res. 638, 95th Cong., 1st Sess. (1977);
H.R.J. Res. 638, 95th Cong., 2d Sess. (1978). Congress had never before
sought to adjust the terms or conditions of a constitutional amendment
pending before the States. A subcommittee of the House Judiciary Com-
mittee conducted hearings over six days during which government offi-
California. S. Con. Res. 39, 6th Leg. (Haw. 1972); H.R. Con. Res. 1, 1972 Sess. Gen. Ct.
(N.H. 1972); S. Con. Res. 47, 126th Gen. Assemb. (Del. 1972); S.J. Res. 1008, 64th Gen.
Assemb. (Iowa 1972); S.J. Res. 133, 41st Leg. (Idaho 1972); H.R. Con. Res. 1155, 1972
Sess. Leg. (Kan. 1972); Legis. Res. 86, 82d Leg. (Neb. 1972); S. Con. Res. 1, 62d
Leg. (Tex. 1972); H.R.J. Res. 371, 87th Gen. Assemb. (Tenn. 1972); H.R.J. Res. 125, 7th
Leg. (Alaska 1972); S. Res. 3482, 1972 Jan. Sess. Gen. Assemb. (R.I. 1972); S. Con. Res.
74, 195th Leg. (N.J. 1972); H.R. Con. Res. 1017, 48th Gen. Assemb. (Colo. 1972); S.J.
Res. 3, 60th Leg. (W. Va. 1972); Enrolled J. Res. 52, 1972 Spec. Sess. Gen. Assemb.
(Wis. 1972); S. Con. Res. 9748, 179th Leg. (N.Y. 1972); S.J. Res. GG, 76th Leg. (Mich.
1972); H.R.J. Res. LLL, 76th Leg. (Mich. 1972); Res. 35, 1972 Sess. Gen. Assemb. (Md.
1972); Res. Ratifying the Proposed Amend. to the Const. of the U.S. Prohibiting Discrim-
ination on Account of Sex, 167th Gen. Ct. (Mass. 1972); H.R.J. Res. 2, 1972 1st Extra.
Sess. Gen. Assemb. (Ky. 1972); J. Res. 2, 1972 Sess. Gen. Assemb. (Pa. 1972); S.J. Res.
20, 1972 Sess. Leg. (Cal. 1972).
7
Eight States ratified the ERA in 1973: Wyoming, South Dakota, Oregon, Minnesota,
New Mexico, Vermont, Connecticut, and Washington. H.R.J. Res. 2, 42d Leg. (Wyo.
1973); S.J. Res. 1, 48th Leg. (S.D. 1973); S.J. Res. 4, 57th Legis. Assemb. (Or. 1973);
H.R. Res. 1, 68th Leg. (Minn. 1973); H.R.J. Res. 2, 31st Leg. (N.M. 1973); H.R.J. Res. 8,
1973 Sess. Gen. Assemb. (Vt. 1973); H.R.J. Res. 1, 1973 Jan. Sess. Gen. Assemb. (Conn.
1973); H.R.J. Res. 10, 43d Leg. (Wash. 1973). Three ratified in 1974: Maine, Montana,
and Ohio. J. Res. to Ratify the Equal Rights Amend. to the Federal Const., 106th Leg., 1st
Spec. Sess. (Me. 1974); H.R.J. Res. 4, 43d Leg. (Mont. 1974); H.R.J. Res. 11, 110th Gen.
Assemb. (Ohio 1974). North Dakota ratified the ERA in 1975. S. Con. Res. 4007, 44th
Legis. Assemb. (N.D. 1975). Indiana did so in 1977. H.R.J. Res. 2, 100th Gen. Assemb.
(Ind. 1977).
8
Kentucky voted to rescind its ratification in 1972. H.R.J. Res. 20, 1978 Sess. Gen.
Assemb. (Ky. 1978). Nebraska did the same in 1973, Legis. Res. 9, 83d Leg. (Neb. 1973);
Tennessee in 1974, S.J. Res. 29, 88th Gen. Assemb. (Tenn. 1974); and Idaho in 1977, H.
Con. Res. 10, 44th Leg. (Idaho 1977).