Viewpoints: Would the ERA Change Anything for Women?

Nossaman Associate Amber Maltbie is quoted in The Sacramento Bee article "Viewpoints: Would the ERA change anything for women?" as part of a column by Camille Hayes.  The article discusses the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), recently reintroduced in Congress by U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, and whether it will be successful despite its legislative history over the past 30 years. 

When asked what the ERA is for anymore and what practical difference it would make for women, Ms. Maltbie is quoted as saying that constitutional rights are more stable over time than legislation or court decisions.  She continued, saying that once something makes it into the Constitution it's generally there to stay, unlike laws, which can change, or court rulings, which can be overturned. 

"All legislation has to adhere to the Constitution," Ms. Maltbie said.  "Once you have a protection embedded in the Constitution, or the Constitution is interpreted to protect a certain right, then all legislation -- state, city, county, it doesn't matter what level -- has to adhere to that.  You can't put a price on that level of validation for the equal rights movement."