Legislative Update
Friends and Neighbors,
The 2025 legislative session has been anything but ordinary. For 17 days, the Minnesota House has been unable to conduct business because Democrats have refused to show up for work. This impasse stems from a recent MN Supreme Court ruling that clarified what constitutes a quorum in the Minnesota House. While House Republicans respect the Court’s decision and are ready to govern, we cannot move forward when Democrats refuse to take their seats—all while still collecting a taxpayer-funded paycheck.
The Supreme Court Ruling and Legislative Gridlock
On January 14th, the date mandated by law for the legislature to convene, House Republicans showed up ready to work, but not a single Democrat was present. Instead, they held a private swearing-in ceremony and have yet to return to the Capitol.
Despite their absence, House Republicans proceeded with legislative work, believing a quorum existed based on 133 seated members, following a vacancy caused by a DFL candidate who did not meet residency requirements. In the first two weeks, we introduced hundreds of bills, held hearings, and engaged with experts and community members to refine policy solutions.
However, on January 24th, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that 68 members are required for a quorum, effectively nullifying all legislative work completed so far. While this ruling provided clarity, Democrats have still not returned, leaving the legislature at a standstill. Without quorum, no committees can meet, no bills can advance, and key issues affecting Minnesotans remain unaddressed.
Additionally, Secretary of State Steve Simon, acting as ceremonial Speaker, has refused to hear motions from elected members and has repeatedly adjourned the House, exceeding the authority granted to him by the Constitution. House Republicans attempted to introduce a motion to compel absent members to return, which would have suspended their legislative pay and per diem—saving taxpayers $9,741 per day. However, Simon’s refusal to recognize these motions has allowed the legislative shutdown to continue, with absent members still receiving their salaries.
Minnesotans deserve a functioning government, and House Republicans remain at the Capitol, ready to work as soon as a quorum is met.
Republicans Are Here, Ready to Work
Despite the legislative gridlock, House Republicans remain at the Capitol every day, working on solutions for Minnesotans. We continue to meet with stakeholders, refine legislative proposals, and prepare for when session can officially resume.
Had the minority party shown up for work, we would be advancing meaningful and bipartisan policies to address fraud, make Minnesota more affordable, support public safety, and improve education. Instead, the entire legislative process is at a standstill because they refuse to do their jobs.
When they return, we will be ready to act on the work we have been doing here in St. Paul.
Protecting Public Lands – A Constitutional Amendment
Before the ruling, I introduced a constitutional amendment to require a three-fifths supermajority vote in the legislature before public lands can be transferred or sold below market value. This would prevent large-scale land transfers—like the recent proposals to give away 175,000 acres of state forest—without broad bipartisan support and input from local communities. Unfortunately, with the legislature at a standstill, this important measure—along with many others—cannot move forward until Democrats return to work.
Looking Ahead
With the House at a standstill, there isn’t much that we can predict in the coming weeks. Nothing can happen without at least one Democrat returning to the House and getting to work for their constituents. They have threatened to hold out until a special election to fill a vacancy occurs on March 11th, meaning it could be over a month before anything happens. I truly hope that isn’t the case. I look forward to my Democrat colleagues returning to work soon so that we can start working together on the issues we were all elected to address.
As always, I appreciate hearing from you. Please feel free to reach out with any questions, concerns, or thoughts on the issues that matter most to you.
Sincerely,
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