SCR4012 rescinds all extant applications by the North Dakota Legislative Assembly to call a convention to propose amendments to the United States Constitution, under Article V of the United States Constitution.
The North Dakota State Senate rejected SCR4012 on February 21, 2023 by a vote of 15 to 31. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because a so-called "Convention of the States" would not be of "limited" purpose. Article V of the U.S. Constitution was designed to correct structural deficiencies in the federal government, not the behavior of its elected officials. This rescission is a great step toward preserving the constitution. We need more precise and immediate solutions to restore power back to the states and to the people, such as clear-cut proposals in Congress to repeal bad amendments or state nullification of unconstitutional federal actions.
United States Constitution
Article V
The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.
