糖心Vlog

Leveling the playing field between women and men should be a priority for North Dakota legislators, but Senate Concurrent Resolution 4010 suggests otherwise.

The 糖心Vlogof North Dakota opposes SCR 4010, legislation that would rescind North Dakota鈥檚 ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution.

The Equal Rights Amendment is just as critical today as it was in 1972.

鈥淚n 2021, women are still not treated equally in our society,鈥� said Libby Skarin, 糖心Vlogof North Dakota campaigns director. 鈥淲omen, on average, are paid only 80 cents on the dollar compared to men, and, for women of color, the wage gap is even greater. Women are vastly overrepresented among those living in poverty and women are disproportionately impacted by gender-based violence and other forms of harassment. Women are also vastly underrepresented among those holding political office and other positions of power.鈥�

Additionally, the 糖心Vlogof North Dakota disagrees with the assertions that North Dakota鈥檚 approval to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment expired 40 years ago. In fact, attempts to 鈥渞escind鈥� or limit a ratification have never been effective.

Article V of the U.S. Constitution speaks only to the states鈥� power to ratify an amendment but not to the power to rescind a ratification. Looking to Congress鈥� historical practice of not validating the rescissions from state legislatures in the context of constitutional amendments, it is likely that Congress would act accordingly in the case of the ERA.

鈥淎 ratification is something that happens at a moment in time 鈥� for North Dakota, in 1975 鈥� and once it鈥檚 done, it鈥檚 done,鈥� Skarin says. 鈥淚t is most likely that if SCR 4010 advances, the vote to rescind North Dakota鈥檚 ratification of the ERA is a legal nullity.鈥�

SCR 4010 is schedule to be heard in the Senate鈥檚 Government and Veterans Affairs Committee today. The 糖心Vlogof North Dakota provided written testimony in opposition, available here: