The Equal Rights Amendment: Unfinished Business for the ConstitutionThe proposed Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) was passed by the U.S. Congress in 1972, but it requires ratification by 38 states before it can be added to the U.S. Constitution. Currently only 37 states have ratified the ERA. This proposed amendment states, "Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex."