U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, who leads the Senate Pro-Life Caucus, has issued a statement criticizing President Biden’s recent declaration regarding the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). Hyde-Smith argues that the attempt to declare the ERA as part of the U.S. Constitution is illegitimate and without legal standing.
“President Biden’s pandering ERA declaration doesn’t hold any legal weight but does fall in line with the many instances over past four years when his administration blatantly ignored the rule of law – whether we’re looking at pro-life issues, school loans, or the border,” stated Hyde-Smith.
The senator emphasized that deadlines for ratifying the ERA have long expired. She also pointed out that President Biden’s statement contradicts an Office of Legal Counsel memo from his own administration and various court decisions on this matter.
“The law is clear that the deadlines to ratify the ERA are long past. Not only is Biden speaking against his own administration’s OLC memo on this issue, but his statement also contradicts all legal decisions coming from the courts. The ERA simply hasn’t weathered the test of time. Its ratification today would unleash a lot of unintended consequences that would, in reality, hurt women and girls,” she added.
Hyde-Smith has been actively involved in efforts to prevent what she describes as unconstitutional attempts to revive the ERA. In 2023, she worked against congressional efforts to declare it ratified.
