Should the Senate Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Women’s Suffrage? (S. Res. 212)

What is S. Res. 212?

(Updated April 3, 2020)

This resolution would formally declare the Senate’s celebration of the 100th anniversary of the passage and ratification of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote. It’d also express the Senate’s recognition of the 19th Amendment’s role in further promoting the core values of democracy as promised in the Constitution; reaffirm the Senate’s commitment to providing the opportunity for people in the U.S. to learn about and commemorate the women’s suffrage movement’s and women’s role in U.S. democracy; and reaffirm Congress’ desire to continue strengthening democratic participation and inspire future generations to cherish and preserve the historic precedent established by the 19th Amendment.

As a simple resolution, this legislation is non-binding and wouldn’t advance beyond the Senate if passed.

Argument in favor

Women getting the right to vote was an important moment in American history, and the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment deserves to be commemorated by Congress. Since the House has already passed its own resolution to this effect, the Senate should follow in its footsteps and pass this resolution.

Argument opposed

Rather than wasting its time passing this resolution that doesn’t do anything, the Senate should focus its efforts on passing legislation that carries on the 19th Amendment’s legacy of using legislation to change women’s lives for the better.

Impact

Women’s suffrage; Senate; and the 19th Amendment.

Cost of S. Res. 212

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

Additional Info

In-Depth: Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced this resolution to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the passage and ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which gave women suffrage. This resolution would honor, reaffirm, and preserve the ratification of the 19th Amendment in further promoting the core values of American democracy:

“Ratifying the 19th amendment required a challenging and lengthy fight. But after decades of protesting, lobbying, and picketing, women achieved what many would consider a radical change to the Constitution. While the fight for equality has not come to an end, I’m proud to lead this resolution with the support of every female U.S. Senator, to honor the many generations of strong, brave women that fought to ensure the equal voting rights we have today, and inspire generations to come.”

Rep. Brenda Lawrence (D-MI), sponsor of an identical House resolution and co-chair of the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues, says:

“For almost a century, suffragists and activists sought to lead efforts to grant women the right to vote in this country. Because of their hard work, barriers were broken and justice prevailed. As we approach this historic centennial in United States history, it is my hope that this bipartisan legislation will tell the story of the generations of courageous activists who played a pivotal role in the fight for women’s rights. With a record number of 106 women serving in the 116th Congress, I’m proud to introduce this resolution that commemorates the victorious milestone of the women’s suffrage movement.”

This bill has 62 bipartisan cosponsors, including 34 Republicans and 28 Democrats. All of the women in the Senate have signed on as cosponsors. An identical House resolution, sponsored by Rep. Brenda Lawrence (D-MI), passed the House unanimously with the support of 169 bipartisan cosponsors, including 136 Democrats and 33 Republicans.

Of Note: The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution — ratified on August 18, 1920 and certified on August 26, 1920 — granted American women the right to vote, also known as women’s suffrage. The movement for women’s right to vote had been launched nearly a century earlier, at the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848.

Media:

• Sponsoring Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) Press Release
  
• HISTORY (Context)
  
• National Constitution Center (Context)