Minnesota House DFL files lawsuit against House Republicans

The Minnesota House DFL filed a lawsuit on January 14 asking the Minnesota Supreme Court to declare that Republicans acted unlawfully when the organized they organized the Minnesota House, elected a Speaker, and took other legislative action in the absence of a quorum.

RELATED: House Democrats boycott opening day of Minnesota’s legislative session

“Republicans’ sham session had no legal authority, and the actions they took on January 14 have no legal effect. A 68-member quorum is required to conduct House business, and only 67 members were present,” said DFL Speaker-designate Melissa Hortman. “Democrats are denying quorum to protect the will of the voters in Shakopee and statewide. Republicans have stated their intent to use a two-week, one-seat advantage to kick out duly elected DFL state Representative Brad Tabke. Representative Tabke’s victory was established on election night, confirmed in a recount, and confirmed again in a court ruling in response to Republicans’ election contest lawsuit. Republicans are going to extreme and unprecedented lengths to seize power that the voters did not give them, and Democrats will fight their unlawful, unconstitutional actions every step of the way.”

DFL state representatives boycotted the first day of the Minnesota Legislative session, denying quorum.

Matt Roznowski, Director of Communications and Public Affairs – DFL Caucus, said this was done to block Republicans from using a two-week, one-vote edge, “to illegitimately seize control of the Minnesota House and engage in wrongful conduct like removing duly elected state representatives from office.”

Republicans say that with 67 members present, they had a quorum. They then voted to elect their top member, former Minority Leader Lisa Demuth, of Cold Spring, as speaker.

Demuth vowed in an acceptance speech to “work tirelessly” to foster a “culture of respect and civility” in the House, but she didn’t directly mention the boycott.

“We owe it to the people that we represent to debate passionately, but we also owe them the respect of agreeing that sometimes we do disagree,” she said. “So let’s focus on what unites us.”

Denial of quorum is a parliamentary tactic that has been used in many other states, but was used for the first time in Minnesota this session.

Minnesota Secretary of State Steven Simon also announced that he would be filing a petition with the Supreme Court after House Republicans proceeded to reconvene the legislative session after he had adjourned the body.