Washington, D.C. – Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02) today protected women’s safety and rights, as well as the sanctity of life by voting against two bills, H.J. Res. 17, which would remove the deadline for the ratification of the 1972 Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), and H.R. 1620, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021.

“Groups such as NARAL and NOW have said that the ERA is fundamental to overturning existing abortion laws such as prohibiting taxpayer-funded abortions at the federal and state level,” said Rep. Bacon. “It could also force doctors and healthcare workers to go against their religious and personal beliefs by possibly removing Federal Statutory Health Care Provider Conscience Protections, forcing them to perform abortions.”

 “This amendment expired over 39 years ago. Consequently, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said last year, ‘I would like to start over...Plus, a number of states have withdrawn their ratification. So, if you count a latecomer on the plus side, how can you disregard states that said we’ve changed our minds?’” added Rep. Bacon.

Rep. Bacon also voted against H.R. 1620, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021 which jeopardizes the safety and wellbeing of women, threatens Americans’ constitutional right to religious freedom, and is a worse bill than the current VAWA in effect.

“I support and have voted to extend the current VAWA,” said Rep. Bacon. “Unfortunately, H.R 1620, the new VAWA being pushed by Speaker Pelosi, includes dangerous provisions and mandates that make it more unsafe for women in shelters and prisons. The Speaker wants to put biological women who are transgendered into men’s prisons. That is not safe. Further, faith-based shelters will be forced to shut down or go against their deeply held religious beliefs.”

“In fact, many pro-women advocacy groups, religious organizations, and law enforcement agencies oppose this bill. Tackling the issue of sexual assault is a priority of mine, which is why I oppose putting dogma over common sense that is within this bill,” added Rep. Bacon.

Rep. Bacon is an original cosponsor of H.R. 1892, which would provide the clean reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act and a cosponsor of H.R. 1065, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.

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