FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT:
Amanda Tinsley
651-491-9946 (cell)
Amanda.Tinsley@house.mn.gov
News Release
GOP Leaders slam DFL swearing-in antics
ST. PAUL — Following reports that House Democrats held an unprecedented covert swearing-in ceremony Sunday night, Speaker-designate Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, and Majority Leader-designate Harry Niska, R-Ramsey, released the following statement.
"State law is clear: swearing in happens at noon on the day the legislature convenes; any attempt to subvert that is illegitimate," said Demuth. "This move is a slap in the face to the institution and to every voter who expects their elected officials to act in good faith and uphold the integrity of the legislative process. Minnesotans sent us here to govern, not to play political games. I am calling on the Governor to call out this outrageous stunt and tell his party to do their jobs by showing up on Tuesday."
"House Republicans are focused in our mission to do the work for Minnesotans, and this scheme will not deter us," added Niska. "We will continue to fight for accountability, transparency, and the voices of the people who entrusted us to lead. If Democrats think these kinds of lawless antics will stop us from delivering on our promises to Minnesotans, they are sorely mistaken."
The Legislative swearing-in process is laid out in Minn. Stat. 3.05:
3.05 ORGANIZATION.
At noon of the day appointed for convening the legislature, the members shall meet in their respective chambers. The lieutenant governor shall call the senate to order and the secretary of state, the house of representatives. In the absence of either officer, the oldest member present shall act in the officer's place. The person so acting shall appoint, from the members present, a clerk pro tem, who shall call the legislative districts in the order of their numbers. As each is called, the persons claiming to be members from each shall present their certificates to be filed. All whose certificates are so presented shall then stand and be sworn.
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