The remarks were largely a symbolic gesture of support for a century-long campaign to enshrine gender equality in the Constitution. But advocates said they could add heft to a future legal fight.

U.S. President Joe Biden called the Equal Rights Amendment "the law of the land," on Friday, backing an effort to enshrine the change into the U.S. Constitution even though it long ago failed to secure the approval of enough states to become an amendment.

That’s what President Joe Biden seemingly attempted to do Friday, in his third-to-final full day in office. Biden announced that the 28th Amendment — an amendment guaranteeing men and women equal rights under the law — is the “law of the land.