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HJRES 59 98th Congress House Law Abortion Abortion, Birth Control, and Family Planning Congress and Members of Congress Constitution and constitutional amendments Constitutional amendments Federal preemption Legislation State laws States

A joint resolution to amend the Constitution to establish legislative authority in Congress and States with respect to abortion.

Introduced: January 6, 1983 See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 98th Congress ended
It never became law before the 98th Congress (1983–1984) 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 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Feb 4, 1983
Referred to Subcommittee on Civil and Constitutional Rights.
Jan 6, 1983
Referred to House Committee on The Judiciary.
Jan 6, 1983
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Constitutional Amendment - Grants concurrent power to Congress and the States to restrict and prohibit abortions. Directs that a State law which is more restrictive than a law of Congress shall govern. Declares that the Constitution does not secure a right to abortion.

What's happening now February 4, 1983

Referred to Subcommittee on Civil and Constitutional Rights.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Republican 1
R
Smith, Christopher H.
New Jersey · Jan 6, 1983
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.J. Res. 59: A joint resolution to amend the Constitution to establish legislative authority in Congress and States with respect to abortion.. 98th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/98-HJRES-59/
MLA
"H.J. Res. 59: A joint resolution to amend the Constitution to establish legislative authority in Congress and States with respect to abortion.." 98th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/98-HJRES-59/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.J. Res. 59, 98th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/98-HJRES-59/.
Markdown link
[H.J. Res. 59: A joint resolution to amend the Constitution to establish legislative authority in Congress and States with respect to abortion.](https://openamerica.io/bill/98-HJRES-59/)
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