Rep. Jeff Van Drew’s vote against an extension to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment one year after co-sponsoring and voting for the measure has drawn him a sharp rebuke from County Commissioner Caren Fitzpatrick, the the highest-ranking Democratic woman in Atlantic County.
“Congressman Van Drew’s vote is completely hypocritical and represents a slap in the face to the mothers, sisters and daughters he represents,” Fitzpatrick said. “I am disappointed and outraged at the way Jeff is turning his back on his community.”
As a freshman Democratic congressman in 2019, Van Drew co-sponsored a resolution that would reopen the ratification process of the ERA. The following year, after he switched parties, he was one of five House Republicans to vote for it.
But on Wednesday, Van Drew voted against the measure he had previous backed and sponsored.
Fitzpatrick said that the passage of the constitutional amendment has always been close to her heart.
“As a kid I grew up with an ERA patch on my jeans, and when I first ran for office in 2017, it was because my county government officials were openly dismissive and critical of women.,” said Fitzpatrick, a candidate for State Assembly in the 2nd legislative district. “Now, Congressman Van Drew’s actions tell us we still have work to do as a society. We shouldn’t have to do jigsaw puzzle algebra to cobble together protections in the law for women – the time to enshrine true equality in the US Constitution is long overdue.”
If Fitzpatrick wins her Assembly race, she will become the first Democratic woman from Atlantic County to serve in the New Jersey Legislature.
Atlantic hasn’t sent a woman to represent the 2nd district since the colorful C. Delores Cooper (R-Atlantic City) retired in 1991 after nine years as an assemblywoman.
The ERA was approved by Congress in 1972 required ratification by 38 states by 1979. It fell 3 states short, even with an extension to 1982.
Despite Van Drew’s flip to the no column, the House passed the extension resolution by a 222-204 votes. It now heads to the U.S. Senate.
The New Jersey Globe did not seek comment from Van Drew, who has not responded since March 2020.