As of January 18, 2025, the United States Constitution includes 27 ratified amendments, with no official adoption of a 28th Amendment. However, recent events have spotlighted potential candidates for this milestone:
Equal Rights Amendment (ERA):
Initially proposed in 1923, the ERA seeks to guarantee equal rights under the law, regardless of sex. Congress approved it in 1972 and set a seven-year deadline for ratification by three-fourths (38) of the states. By 1982, only 35 states had ratified the amendment. Renewed interest emerged between 2017 and 2020 when three more states approved it, sparking debates about its validity given the expired deadline. On January 17, 2025, President Joe Biden proclaimed the ERA as the “law of the land,” asserting that it had met the required ratifications. However, legal experts argue that the expired deadline and the lack of formal recognition by the National Archives prevent the ERA from being officially incorporated into the Constitution.
Governor Gavin Newsom’s Proposal:
In June 2023, California Governor Gavin Newsom introduced a proposed 28th Amendment aimed at combating gun violence. His proposal includes measures such as universal background checks, raising the minimum age for firearm purchases to 21, implementing waiting periods for purchases, and banning assault weapons. While this proposal has sparked national conversations, it has yet to progress toward ratification.
In summary, while discussions and proposals for a 28th Amendment are ongoing, no amendment has been officially added to the U.S. Constitution as of this date.
