Democratic members of the Minnesota state legislature decided to start the new year with a game of hardball, taking the oath of office in secret to prevent Republicans from stealing their majority.
Similarly nationally, the Minnesota Democratic Party, officially a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL), performed poorly in November. House DFL members lost three seats in the election and another seat when the winner was declared ineligible because he did not live in the district.
Republicans should hold a 67-66 majority in the state House of Representatives, pending a special election in the district later this month. They had already named Lisa Demuth as a speaker.
But DFLers averted any chance for Republicans to take power by taking the oath. Elsewhere outside the Capitol Sunday, two days before the first Congress. All DFLers but one were sworn in by Hennepin County Judge Kevin Burke at the Minnesota History Center.
The House DFL campaign committee paid for the room rental, a center spokeswoman confirmed. CBS News.
“This move is a slap in the face to this institution and to all voters who expect their elected officials to act with integrity.”
at a caucus meeting press releaseDFL members clarified their reason for taking the oath so early, saying, “Democrats are prepared to deny the 68-member quorum needed to conduct business in the House of Representatives until power-sharing negotiations with Republicans are successfully concluded.'' said.
DFL lawmakers believe Republicans need 68 House members to reach a quorum, and plan to boycott at least the first few weeks of the session until the special election to prevent that from happening. But Republicans believe they only need 67 members.
DFL state Rep. Melissa Hortman said Republicans intend to remain the majority party even if a DFL candidate wins in a special election and the two parties are once again split 67-67.
“I know it's likely to be resolved within two weeks, but I heard from Lisa Demuth this morning that she said it doesn't matter, she's been the chair for two years, and as if they were I'm going to use my power like I'm in charge.'Two years,'' Hortman said.
Hortmann even hinted at the possibility of violence, but Demuth denied that possibility and insisted the party was simply following the law.
“State law is clear: The oath is taken at noon on the day Congress convenes. Any attempt to subvert that is illegal,” Demuth said.
Demuth later accused the DFL of “political gamesmanship.”
“This move is a slap in the face to this institution and to all constituents who expect their elected officials to act with integrity and protect the integrity of the legislative process,” she added. “The people of Minnesota sent us here to govern, not to play politics. I call on the governor to condemn this outrageous act and show up on Tuesday to call on the party to do its job.” I'm asking you to tell me.”
Hortman, who was nominated to be DFL chairman, argued that his party tried to find common ground with Republicans, but his colleagues across the aisle wouldn't budge. “Once they elect a chair, they can fire our staff. They can kick us out of office. They can change the rules,” Hortman said.
“If we get back to a tie,” she continued, confident of the DFL’s victory in the special election, “any motion in a tie will fail, so what they did as interim leader will be We'll never be able to undo it. So that's why it's so important for us to have an agreement that says, “Do you want to be in charge for three weeks? Go ahead and be in charge.'' Is that so? ”
Secretary of State Steve Simon (DFL) reported that he agreed with his party that the required threshold for a quorum was 68 and said that without a quorum, the session would be adjourned. Minnesota Star Tribune.
The DFL House caucus also swore in members whose election victories were still in doubt, angering Republicans. U.S. Rep. Brad Tabke won the Shakopee race by just 14 total votes, prompting Republican candidate Aaron Paul to challenge for victory.
Republicans also argued that 20 absentee ballots could have influenced the final outcome, and asked the court to declare Paul vacant until a special election can be held. Tabke's lawyer, David Zoll, argued that the court was only playing an advisory role in the case and that it was therefore appropriate for Tabke to be sworn in.
Dakota County Judge Tracy Purzel is presiding over the case, but has not yet issued a ruling.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Senate has similar issues with the balance of power, but has managed to reach an amicable agreement.
On Dec. 27, DFL Sen. Kari Dziedzic passed away after a battle with ovarian cancer, creating a vacancy that left the Senate split 33-33. The DFL and Republicans have reached an agreement to share power until a special election to fill the vacant seat is held on Jan. 28.
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