NEW YORK (WCBS 880) – The Equal Rights Amendment passed Congress in 1972, but fell three states short of the 38 necessary for ratification.

Now, Rep. Carolyn Maloney is reintroducing the ERA in the hope it will pass and be ratified this time around.

WCBS 880’s Rich Lamb With Comment From Rep. Maloney https://newyork.cbslocal.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/14578484/2011/05/lamb_maloneyera1w_midday_110523.mp3

“It would give bedrock equal protections in the Constitution. It would mention women in the Constitution,” she says.

Maloney says, when it comes to the workplace, in contrast to males doing the same job right now “women have been stuck at 77 cents to the dollar.”

She says that would be unlawful if the ERA were adopted.

“Nothing’s gonna unless there’s a will and a determination to make it happen, and you listened today to some of the leading women groups in the United States all saying that they’re going to make this a priority,” she said Monday.

The text of the ERA is as follows:

Section 1. Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.

Section 2. The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.

Section 3. This amendment shall take effect two years after the date of ratification.