NDGOP rejects resolution that called for criminalizing women for getting an abortion

North Dakota Republican delegates rejected a statement that pushed for criminal penalties for women who get abortions but approved 14 other resolutions during the convention, the party announced Monday.

The resolutions considered late Saturday are not binding but reflect the party’s policy positions for the 2024 election cycle.

Several anti-abortion organizations objected to the resolution on equal protection for the unborn, saying it is wrong to criminalize women who get abortions. Opponents also said the resolution could be interpreted as a ban on in vitro fertilization.

“I respect the intentions and I understand the passion of the ones that came up with this,” said Sen. Janne Myrdal, R-Edinburg, an anti-abortion advocate for decades. “We as a pro-life movement … have never wanted to criminalize women who have fallen prey to the lies of the abortion industry.”

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Myrdal said she expects legislation mirroring the resolution to appear before North Dakota legislators, possibly during the next session. She said she welcomes the debate but said the most important things to her when crafting abortion legislation are helping women through a difficult time and saving children.

The other 14 resolutions received “resounding support,” NDGOP leaders said. The resolutions required approval from two-thirds of delegates who cast ballots. Some delegates left on Saturday before the vote was taken.

One resolution objected to the use of eminent domain for carbon capture and storage projects. Without naming a specific project, the resolution appeared to target the Summit Carbon Solutions carbon dioxide pipeline. 

A flyer from the Lignite Energy Council urged delegates to vote no, saying it would hinder the advancement of the coal industry. Proponents said it sought to protect property rights.

Rep. Anna Novak, R-Hazen, a member of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, said she didn’t vote for the resolution because she believes it will hurt North Dakota’s energy sector.

Novak said she understands the concerns about eminent domain, but said the industry aims for 100% voluntary easements for their projects.

“You have left-wing environmental extremist groups that are joining up with people that are opposed to these pipelines and I think you just need to question the motives,” Novak said.

The Democratic-NPL Party included in its platform opposition “to the collection and storage of carbon and other waste products in our state.”

Other resolutions adopted by Republicans contained anti-LGBTQ language, including a statement reaffirming the state’s constitutional definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman. Another resolution opposes adding sexual orientation and gender identity to the Century Code as a protected class. The language “supports the restoration of gender dysphoric individuals, that they may embrace and be comfortable with their natural biological state.”

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The North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party on Monday contrasted its platform with resolutions adopted by Republicans. Democrats adopted a resolution that “strenuously objects to the culture of fear and exclusion accelerated by members of the North Dakota legislature.” 

“In the last legislative session, 21 discriminatory bills were introduced with the intent of targeting LGBTQ+ and depriving these North Dakotans of common liberties to which we all should enjoy,” the Dem-NPL resolution states.

Another Republican resolution urges legislators to pass “universal school choice” containing protections for private, charter and home schools. It states that government schools are “prioritizing social programs that politically and ideologically indoctrinate students.” The resolution allows for taxpayer funds for private school and home school.

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Other Republican resolutions include:

• A statement supporting legislative efforts to eliminate property tax. 
• A measure opposed to cronyism. The language says current policy grants special favors to the “politically well-connected” through “economic development” policy and the state Department of Commerce. 
• A resolution that objects to COVID-19 vaccines and government-imposed mandates.
• A call for lawmakers to prohibit the use of state funds for programs and offices that promote diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
• A measure that calls “amnesty for illegal aliens” a violation of law and urges the Legislature and Congress to pass immigration reform measures. 
• A measure that would withdraw the United States’ “moral, political, legal and economic” participation from the United Nations.

Other Dem-NPL platform points include ensuring that destroying embryos fertilized for in vitro fertilization is not a crime; funding school lunches and job training for new Americans and immigrants. 

Myrdal said she wished Republicans would have had an opportunity to debate and amend the resolutions and she hopes the process changes going forward.

“It makes me think we need to have a stronger, more clear platform and just stick with the platform,” she said.

Jeff Beach contributed to this report.