The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) published a statement on Friday expressing thanks that the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) was rejected as a potential amendment to the U.S. Constitution by the U.S. Senate.

“The Catholic faith teaches that women and men are created with equal dignity, and we support that being reflected in law," said USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities chairman Michael F. Burbidge. “The proposed ‘Equal Rights Amendment,’ however, would likely create a sweeping new nationwide right to abortion at any stage, at taxpayer expense, and eliminate even modest protections for women’s health and the lives of preborn children. It could also pose grave problems for women’s privacy and athletic and other opportunities, and negatively impact religious freedom. I am grateful that the Senate did not advance this proposal that in fact expired decades ago, and I hope that Congress will focus on meaningful support for women and families in need.”

The U.S. Senate rejected a resolution that would have removed a 1982 deadline to ratify the ERA, which has been ratified by 38 states, enough to amend the U.S. Constitution. However, some states voted to ratify it after the 1982 deadline, sparking controversy surrounding its legality or lack of. The amendment was initially suggested shortly after the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote.

The proposed bill failed to advance by a vote of 51-47. The majority of "yes" votes were from Democrats, who were joined by only two Republican Senators: Susan Collins (ME) and Lisa Murkowski (AK). Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Mike Lee (R-UT) were not present for the vote. According to CNN, while the vote served as a means for Democrats to test Republicans' stance on the issue, there had been almost no expectation that both chambers of Congress would pass the resolution.

On February 27, the USCCB published a statement asking the Senate to refrain from passing the amendment.

 "We are writing to you to express our alarm with a number of far-reaching consequences that will arise from the proposed Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), and its negative impacts on the common good and religious freedom," the organization wrote. "We strongly urge you to oppose it and any resolution attempting to declare it ratified."