Maine Senate Democrats advance Equal Rights Amendment

Unlike previous years, only one Senate Republican joined Senate Democrats in voting for the Equal Rights Amendment

UGUSTA — Today, all members of the Maine Senate Democratic Caucus advanced legislation to add the Equal Rights Amendment to Maine’s Constitution in a vote of 22-12. Sen. Kim Rosen, R-Bucksport, was the lone Senate Republican to support the measure. LD 344, “RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine To Explicitly Prohibit Discrimination Based on the Sex of an Individual” would guarantee all Mainers equal protection under the law, regardless of sex.

In 2019, the Maine Senate approved a similar measure, with two-thirds of the chamber’s support, in a vote of 26-9. However, the measure failed to garner enough support in the House upon enactment. 

Senate Democratic Leaders released the following statements celebrating the vote:

Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash:

“All Mainers deserve to be treated equally regardless of their sex, especially in the eyes of the law. For too long, discrimination rooted in sex has held back Maine workers, families, communities and the state’s economy. Though Maine has made progress, we must not become complacent. Fairness and equality are not controversial values; in fact, these are values that are fundamental to who we are as Mainers. With the Equal Rights Amendment, Mainers can guarantee the right to equality for future generations. To me, it seems to only make sense that we would want our constitution to reflect our values, especially on something as important as this. The fact that we even had to debate this issue in the Senate Chamber makes it abundantly clear that this amendment is sorely needed. To say that I’m deeply disappointed in today’s vote would be an understatement.”

Senate Majority Leader Eloise Vitelli, D-Arrowsic:

“An Equal Rights Amendment was introduced in every Congress since 1920 and was finally passed and sent out to the states for ratification in 1972. Maine ratified the ERA in 1974, the same year I arrived to make Maine my home. That’s why I was so proud, back in 2019, when I had the opportunity to stand on the floor of the Senate Chamber, and speak and vote in favor of an Equal Rights Amendment for Maine. The bill before us this year represents not just a continuation of our work from 2019, but of the generations of women and allies who dedicated their lives to the fight for equal rights. An equal rights clause in our Constitution will make it clear that discrimination in employment, insurance, education – the areas important to women’s freedom and to our full participation in society – shall not be tolerated. It is the most basic and necessary acknowledgment that women have the right to exist in our society with the same independence, rights, and dignity of men. It’s an acknowledgment that we are all fully human in the eyes of the law, regardless of gender.”

Assistant Senate Majority Leader Mattie Daughtry, D-Brunswick:

“As a young woman, a small business owner, and an elected official, the fight for equal rights is on the forefront of my mind frequently. Here in this State House, I’ve been proud to support, vote for and even sponsor bills that improved equal access to housing, education, health care and employment. In Maine, women still only earn 83 cents for every dollar their male colleagues make. This wage gap only widens when racial demographics are factored in. Economic experts tell us that if this trend continues, Maine won’t close the gender wage gap until 2060. By then, an entire generation of workers will have entered and retired from the workforce. At the end of the day, equal rights are the fundamental basis of freedom and the original cornerstone of our country.”

Constitutional Amendments require two-thirds support upon enactment in both houses of the Maine Legislature. If passed, an item would be added to a statewide ballot for voter approval. LD 344 faces additional enactment votes in both the House and the Senate.