Staff Reports
Progressive House Democrats have taken it upon themselves to pressure President Biden into making some last-minute changes during his time in office—changes that could potentially carry more weight than a fluffy tail on a giant elephant. With only a few weeks left before a Republican Congress, led by the ever-looming figure of Donald Trump, they are urging Biden to get busy on two hot-button issues: certifying the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) and commuting death row sentences. Apparently, in their minds, this is the moment for Biden to sprinkle some magic executive dust and leave behind a legacy that would make any activist’s heart swell with pride.
Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri, who seems to think that presidential signing duties should be a full-contact sport, led the charge during a press conference outside the Capitol. She made it clear that Biden has the power to make equal rights not just a talking point but a bona fide achievement. It’s almost as if she believes the keys to the kingdom rest solely in his signature, overlooking the small detail that the ERA has been hanging around since the 1920s and hasn’t quite made the leap into law. Despite Virginia officially stepping up as the 38th state to ratify the amendment back in 2020, it seems the deadlines—much like the politically one-sided arguments of the “Squad”—are rather fluid.
Then there’s the call for Biden to flick his wrist and commute the sentences of all 40 folks sitting on federal death row. Progressive voices are clamoring for this to happen with only a handful of days left on the calendar, all while Biden is still grappling with the backlash of his rather controversial pardon of his son, Hunter. This not-so-humble request comes complete with allegations of “mass incarceration,” as if nothing clearly spelled out in the law matters to those advocating for fairness. In their view, it’s all about optics and good politics—even if it means pulling a fast one on justice.
Ayanna Pressley from Massachusetts attempted to convince the world that commuting the death row sentences is not just a compassionate act but a savvy political move. One might wonder how she aligns compassion with an election strategy, but such intricacies seldom trouble the minds of progressive loyalists. The Trump administration’s execution policies are being dragged into the mix, as if residual effects from a previous administration should bear any burden on current leadership decisions. Ironically, this line of thinking only proves how easily the left is willing to weaponize any past actions for their own political theater.
You need to read this from @dcexaminer to learn why the ERA is no longer valid because the Hill quite conspicuously omitted that information since it would undermine its claim that the ERA is still eligible for publication. https://t.co/at5HnKtXAX
— Varad Mehta (@varadmehta) December 11, 2024
Meanwhile, the White House press secretary sidestepped questions related to these pressing demands and, unsurprisingly, did not offer any hints of what the Biden administration’s next move will be. Within the world outside Capitol Hill, advocates continue to push for the codification of the ERA, augmented by the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on abortion rights, which has only given fuel to their fire. But while their urgency is palpable, the ordinary citizen might simply be rolling their eyes, recognizing this for what it is—a last-minute grab for relevance in a changing political landscape, rather than a legitimate effort to address what Americans actually prioritize on the legislative agenda.
The struggle over the ERA highlights the difficulties within Biden’s presidency, as past archivists have already decided to keep the amendment on the back burner. More letters, press conferences, and activist cries won’t solve the legal quandaries surrounding the amendment’s status. Yet the diligent efforts of Democrats to keep this issue alive only illustrates their unease as they contemplate a shift in power. Ultimately, it appears the target isn’t so much about delivering equal rights or justice but about ensuring their voices are heard—whether the American public is on board or not. For the next few weeks, they’ll likely keep pushing hard, betting on Biden to deliver the lightning in a bottle they seem to think is right under his nose.
