1. United States
2. Va.
3. Letter

I would like to express my strong opposition to H.R. 722. This bill seeks to establish equal protection under the 14th Amendment for "each born and preborn human person," which is a thinly veiled attempt to grant legal personhood to fetuses and effectively criminalize abortion nationwide. Such a measure would represent a dangerous overreach and an unconstitutional infringement on the fundamental rights of millions of Americans. Abortion access is a deeply personal issue and one that should be left to individuals to decide based on their own circumstances, beliefs, and constitutional freedoms. This bill ignores the complex realities that lead people to seek abortions and would force many to carry pregnancies to term against their will, with severe consequences for their health, autonomy, and economic wellbeing. Furthermore, this legislation falsely equates abortion with a violation of the equal protection clause, disregarding the reality that the 14th Amendment has long been understood to apply to persons "born or naturalized in the United States." Extending its protections to fetuses runs counter to established legal precedent and the principles of personal liberty enshrined in the Constitution. I urge you to reject this extreme measure that would strip away reproductive freedoms and cannot be reconciled with our nation's commitment to individual rights and liberties. It is crucial that you respect the will of the majority of Americans who support keeping abortion legal and safeguarding this private medical decision. Please stand firmly against any attempts to undermine access to this vital healthcare through draconian federal legislation. The path forward demands protecting, not curtailing, constitutionally protected personal freedoms.