Count Us Out Resolution
/Last week, the state legislature of North Dakota passed a very important resolution regarding our position on the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA.) The legislature gave approval to formally notify Congress that our 1975 ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment expired on March 22, 1979. This measure is informally known as the "Count Us Out" resolution.
This move comes on the backdrop of the US House of Representatives effort to remove the expired deadline for ratifying the ERA. Now ratified by 38 states, the ERA has received support from enough states to become an amendment except that the deadline has passed.
North Dakota's step to communicate that its ratification deadline had passed is critical to ensure that the ERA does not become an amendment and make North Dakota a leader on important life issues.
Those in support of the ERA have openly argued the importance of the ERA's passage as an effort to expand abortion rights.
Thankfully, arguments asking courts to remove the deadline for the ERA has consistently failed and even the justice department has explained that the most recent move from congress was not possible.
All said, we are proud to be leading the country on issues concerning life and we are proud of the actions that our state legislature has taken.
You can read a full update highlighting our efforts from National Right To Life here.