The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), asserting that the proposed Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) would facilitate abortions, stands behind the U.S. Senate’s rejection of the measure.

“The Catholic faith teaches that women and men are created with equal dignity, and we support that being reflected in law,” Bishop Michael Burbidge, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities, told the USCCB website.

The Senate last week rejected a proposal to move forward with a resolution, with many saying they don’t think the amendment is necessary because of the equal protections given to women in the 14th Amendment, according to CNN.

Thirty-eight states have ratified the ERA, which is enough to amend the Constitution, but some of those states acted after a 1982 deadline that was stipulated in the measure.

The ERA dates back to 1923. Both houses of Congress passed it in 1972, then it went to the states for ratification. Congress allowed the states to consider the measure for seven years, but that deadline was later extended to 10 years, which meant 38 states needs to ratify it by 1982, according to Yahoo! Sports.  

The proposed ERA "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,” Burbidge said, according to USCCB. “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 proposed bill failed by a margin of 51-47 with only two Republican Senators supporting it. Two Democratic senators were absent for the vote. CNN reported that most people assumed it was highly unlikely for both chambers of Congress to approve the resolution.

In February, the USCCB sent a statement to the U.S. Senate asking them not to pass 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 to the common good and to religious freedom," the bishops wrote. "We strongly urge you to oppose it and any resolution attempting to declare it ratified.”