The Equal Rights
Amendment has
Nothing
to do with Abortion

Here’s why:

• The legislative history of the Amendment makes clear that E.R.A. does not apply to physical characteristics (like pregnancy) which are unique to one sex. (Senate Report 92-689).

  It will have “no effect on any abortion law of any state.” (Martha Griffiths, chief E.R.A. sponsor in the House, 117 Cong. Rec. 35302). The Supreme Court is obliged to follow the clearly stated legislative intent of Congress.

• The E.R.A. is based on the legal doctrine of equal protection.  The Supreme Court has never found abortion to be an issue of equal protection or sex discrimination.  Abortion decisions of the Court (eg Roe v Wade, Doe v. Bolton) have been based on other legal grounds.
• No state with a state-E.R.A. has been required to change its abortion laws because of its E.R.A.
• Ratification of the E.R.A. would not prevent passage of a Human Life Amendment.  Congress always has the right to propose later amendments. (U.S. Constitution, Article V).