Debate: Equal Protection & Section 5

The Federalist Society for Law (FedSoc) at The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law (Catholic Law) hosted its first “Resolved” debate of the 2023-2024 academic year the evening of Tuesday, November 7. Focusing on whether Congress derives from Section 5 of the fourteenth amendment authority to prohibit intentional abortions after fifteen weeks, visiting speakers Joshua Craddock and William Hodes debated how far the authority of the Equal Protection Clause extends. Craddock, an academic lawyer affiliated with the James Wilson Institute on Natural Rights and the American Founding, argued that Congress could, through citing this clause, in fact restrict abortions after fifteen weeks; while Hodes, a professor emeritus of Indiana University School of Law—now known as the Indiana University Maurer School of Law—defended the opposite view.

The evening’s event began with a welcome address and prayer led by FedSoc president Emily Johnson (3L). FedSoc treasurer Gerald Sharpe (2L) introduced the visiting speakers to the roughly eighty attendees from the entire Catholic University community. A reception followed the conclusion of the hourlong debate, where students were able to talk with both Craddock and Hodes.