THE APEX TIMES
New U.S. Archives chief says the Equal Rights Amendment remains unadopted and will not be certified
The Archivist of the United States, newly in charge of maintaining constitutional records, said he will not make an official determination that the Equal Rights Amendment is part of the Constitution, renewing debate over the amendment’s status.
The new Archivist of the United States said he will not be the official to declare the Equal Rights Amendment officially adopted, setting up a fresh round of conflict over whether the amendment can still be recognized as part of the Constitution.
In remarks reported by The Washington Times, the archivist’s position is that the Equal Rights Amendment is still “dead,” and that his office will not take steps supporters seek for constitutional recognition. The statement comes as the Archives role is often viewed as pivotal in determining whether an amendment has met the requirements for certification.
Supporters of the Equal Rights Amendment have pushed for official action that would recognize additional ratifications, arguing the amendment’s status should be updated through the Archives and constitutional process. The archivist’s answer, as reported, is that the amendment is not going to receive that certification help from his office.
The dispute has practical stakes because official recognition affects how the federal government treats the amendment’s legal standing, including in federal policy, court arguments, and future litigation. A refusal to certify, if sustained, would keep the amendment’s status contested rather than resolved in an official constitutional record.
The Archivist’s role and the amendment’s contested history have previously driven legal and political fights, and the latest comments are expected to be used by both sides in ongoing or future efforts to prompt official resolution. Supporters of recognition are likely to press for alternative paths, while opponents will point to the archivist’s stated view that the amendment cannot be revived through the Archives.
The Archives has not, based on the reporting in the available packet, issued further details about timing, specific procedural steps, or whether the office will take any other related action. The next concrete development would be any formal Archives determination, document handling, or related court filings that clarify what the Archivist will do going forward.
Why It Matters
- An Archives decision not to certify keeps the Equal Rights Amendment’s constitutional status unresolved in the official records, sustaining litigation and policy uncertainty.
- Because constitutional recognition influences how federal agencies and courts treat legal claims, a continued refusal can affect future arguments about equal rights protections under federal law.
- The comments clarify what the new Archivist is willing to do, shaping which legal and procedural avenues supporters may pursue next.
Key Facts
- The Archivist of the United States, newly in the role, said he will not be the official to declare the Equal Rights Amendment officially adopted.
- The archivist said the Equal Rights Amendment is still “dead,” according to reporting by The Washington Times.
- Supporters of the Equal Rights Amendment are seeking official help from the Archives to recognize the amendment’s status.
- The story is centered on the Archives’ constitutional-record responsibilities and the effect of an archivist’s refusal to certify.