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SJRES 18 97th Congress Senate Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues Abortion Abortion, Birth Control, and Family Planning Constitution and constitutional amendments Constitutional amendments Women's rights

A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States with respect to the right to life.

Introduced: January 22, 1981 Introduced by: Grassley, Chuck Republican · Iowa See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 97th Congress ended
It never became law before the 97th Congress (1981–1982) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 12 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Dec 16, 1981
Subcommittee on Constitution. Hearings held.
Dec 7, 1981
Subcommittee on Constitution. Hearings held.
Nov 16, 1981
Subcommittee on Constitution. Hearings held.
Nov 12, 1981
Subcommittee on Constitution. Hearings held.
Nov 5, 1981
Subcommittee on Constitution. Hearings held.
Nov 4, 1981
Subcommittee on Constitution. Hearings held.
Oct 19, 1981
Subcommittee on Constitution. Hearings held.
Oct 14, 1981
Subcommittee on Constitution. Hearings held.
Oct 5, 1981
Subcommittee on Constitution. Hearings held.
Feb 5, 1981
Referred to Subcommittee on Constitution.
Jan 22, 1981
Read second time and referred to Senate Committee on Judiciary.
Jan 22, 1981
Introduced in Senate
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Constitutional Amendment - Defines "person" to include the unborn for the purpose of the right to life guarantee.

Makes such amendment inapplicable to laws permitting medical procedures required to prevent the death of the mother.

What's happening now December 16, 1981

Subcommittee on Constitution. Hearings held.

 Related & companion bills 5
  • HJRES 27 Identical bill A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States with respect to the right to life.
  • HJRES 99 Identical bill A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States with respect to the right to life.
  • HJRES 122 Identical bill A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States with respect to the right to life.
  • HJRES 125 Identical bill A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States with respect to the right to life.
  • HJRES 133 Identical bill A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States with respect to the right to life.
 Committees of jurisdiction 2
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S.J. Res. 18: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States with respect to the right to life.. 97th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/97-SJRES-18/
MLA
"S.J. Res. 18: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States with respect to the right to life.." 97th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/97-SJRES-18/.
Bluebook (legal)
S.J. Res. 18, 97th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/97-SJRES-18/.
Markdown link
[S.J. Res. 18: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States with respect to the right to life.](https://openamerica.io/bill/97-SJRES-18/)
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