[RonF]

Before you try to start getting everyone all worked up, please make sure you know what you're talking about, first.

1) The original ERA that *almost* got ratified had a time limit on the ratification process built into it. That expired on June 30th, 1982, 3 short of the 38 states needed to ratify it. That particular legislative process is a dead issue, and it doesn't matter if the rest of the 50 states pass resolutions in favor of it, it cannot become part of the Constitution.

2) The text you quote is from a new effort to get an ERA passed. If all 50 states pass it, it won't become a part of the Constitution either, because before an amendment to the federal Constitution can be validly acted on by the States, it must first be passed by both houses of Congress, and this text (missing the ratification time limit) hasn't done so. Only after it has done so can the States validly bring it to a vote.

Oh, and, finally, 38 states are needed to pass a Constitutional Amendment, not 37. 50 * .75 = 37.5, and you have to round up. 37 states is 74%, not 75%, of 50.

[RonF]

Oops:

before an amendment to the federal Constitution can be validly acted on by the States, it must first be passed by both houses of Congress,

OR

be passed by a Constitutional Convention originating from the passage of an appropriate resolution calling for the convening of such a body by 3/4 of the States.

Which doesn't affect the truth of the rest of my post.

[Believer 1]

Ron, I do know what I am talking about. To what text are you referring? I got this copy from Springfield as what our House just finished voting on. The issue of time limit has been challenged in the courts. I wish our senators and representatives were as confident as you are, but they are not and they are the ones who are being lobbied and who are of the opinion, this is not over yet. What is the number reference? I did not use numbers.