Catholics for Choice Welcomes Senate ERA Vote, Renews Call to Abolish Filibuster
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, April 27, 2023
Contact: John Becker, Press Secretary
Phone: (202) 203-0931
Email: jbecker@catholicsforchoice.org
Catholics for Choice Welcomes Senate ERA Vote, Renews Call to Abolish Filibuster
WASHINGTON – Catholics for Choice, which uplifts and amplifies the voices of the majority of Catholics who believe in reproductive freedom, released the following statement from President Jamie L. Manson, M.Div. after today’s Senate vote on the Equal Rights Amendment:
“The single most important step that the United States of America can take to safeguard the rights of women and LGBTQIA+ people is to enshrine the Equal Rights Amendment into our nation’s constitution. The ERA will guarantee equal protection under the law for all citizens, regardless of sex, and would place these precious protections — including abortion rights, marriage equality, and the right to gender-affirming healthcare — permanently out of the reach of partisan politicians and capricious courts.
“Unfortunately, the Senate resolution to remove the arbitrary deadline for ratification of the ERA as the 28thAmendment fell short, with a majority vote of 51-47. It is worth noting that the ERA has bipartisan support, with pro-choice Catholic Senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski joining all Democrats voting in favor.
“It is appalling that a measure like the ERA — which is supported by three-quarters of Americans and would bring the United States into line with the eighty-five percent of countries in the world that already have gender provisions in their constitutions — remains hostage to the outdated and racist Senate filibuster, which allows a handful of senators to block common-sense measures that most people support. Ending the filibuster will bring us closer to true equality and democracy, protect our civil and human rights, and help us build a society where all voices, especially those most harmed by abortion bans and restrictions, are heard. We call on the Senate — especially the male lawmakers who so frequently invoke their mothers, wives, and daughters as human shields while voting against their rights — to stop standing in the way of democracy and consign the filibuster to the trash heap of history where it belongs.”
Catholics for Choice shapes and advances sexual and reproductive ethics that are based on justice, reflect a commitment to a person’s well-being and respect, and affirm the capacity of all people to make moral decisions about their lives.
