As in our usual practice, we watched the Minnesota House meet in session this afternoon.
In House passes resolution to ‘denounce violence’ and ‘support our democracy’, Mike Cook of Session Daily sums up the chamber's discussion:
The House voted Monday to express disdain with the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and support the 2020 certified election results.
Sponsored by Rep. Jamie Long (DFL-Mpls), HR1, in part, states the House of Representatives of the State of Minnesota:
- “condemns attacks on our democracy”;
- “unequivocally condemns violence directed at the United States Capitol and at state capitols”;
- resolves “that those who participated in the criminal destruction of property and assaults on our law enforcement officials at the United States Capitol should be arrested and prosecuted”;
- “stands behind the will of Minnesota voters and supports the full certification of its electoral college votes by the United States Congress”; and
- “reaffirms our commitment to democracy, free and fair elections, and the rule of law.”
Passed 111-8, the resolution will be entered in the House Journal.
“This resolution is an effort to come together in solidarity as one legislative body to denounce violence and to support our democracy,” Long said. “… We must be forthright in saying our democracy is sound, it is legitimate, it is strong, and threats against it cannot stand and will not succeed.”
“The votes and the voices based on the votes of our citizens and our residents should be heard and should be counted. No one should have any fear that their vote won’t be counted and no one should have any fear moving forward that those votes and their right to vote will be suppressed,” said Rep. Cedrick Frazier (DFL-New Hope).
No Republicans spoke in support of the resolution.
An amendment from Rep. Anne Neu Brindley (R-North Branch) to replace “condemns attacks on our democracy” with “condemns attacks on our constitutional republic” was narrowly rejected. . . .
Read the rest at Session Daily.
Majority Leader Ryan Winkler, DFL-Golden Valley, tweeted the DFL House Caucus statement about the resolution:
As a legislative body, the Minnesota House of Representatives has entered into the record our condemnation of an unprecedented attack on American democracy and the peaceful transfer of power. #mnleg pic.twitter.com/Jw6HWhUgH1
— Ryan Winkler (@_RyanWinkler) January 26, 2021
In an email of that statement, the resolution was included:
A House resolution condemning violence and violent rhetoric directed at our United States Capitol and state capitols, and affirming support for democracy, rule of law, and the certified results of Minnesota's election.
WHEREAS, on January 6, 2021, an armed mob breached the United States Capitol, endangering the safety of Members of Congress, law enforcement, and staff; and
WHEREAS, the mob damaged property in the United States Capitol and forced Members of Congress to evacuate, many wearing gas masks; and
WHEREAS, Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick was killed; and
WHEREAS, members of the mob breached and attempted to breach the chambers of the United States Senate and United States House of Representatives, minutes after Members of Congress evacuated; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the 12th Amendment to the United States Constitution, the United States Congress was gathering in joint session to certify the Electoral College results; and
WHEREAS, the Electoral College has cast 306 electoral votes for Joe Biden to 232 electoral votes for President Donald Trump; and
WHEREAS, the electoral ballots had to be physically carried out of the chamber to prevent them from being damaged by the mob; and
WHEREAS, Minnesota's electoral votes had not yet been certified when Congress was forced to flee; and
WHEREAS, efforts to thwart the will of Minnesota voters are undemocratic; and
WHEREAS, attempts to block certification of Minnesota's election results have been rejected by the courts; and
WHEREAS, precautionary measures were required for the Minnesota State Capitol, including mobilizing law enforcement; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the State of Minnesota that it unequivocally condemns violence directed at the United States Capitol and at state capitols.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that those who participated in the criminal destruction of property and assaults on our law enforcement officials at the United States Capitol should be arrested and prosecuted.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the House of Representatives of the State of Minnesota stands behind the will of Minnesota voters and supports the full certification of its electoral college votes by the United States Congress.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the House of Representatives of the State of Minnesota condemns attacks on our democracy.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the House of Representatives of the State of Minnesota reaffirms our commitment to democracy, free and fair elections, and the rule of law.
We went through the Journal of the House to learn the precise count on the roll call on HR1 (beginning on near the bottom of page 204 through page 205) and found that Mekeland had voted no although his no vote does not appear on the board:
Hassan was excused for day. Journal of House records Mekeland as 8th no vote. 14 #mngop #mnhouse members--Albright, Boe, Erickson, Franson, Gruenhagen, Koznick, Lucero, McDonald, Miller, Mueller, Munson, Nash, Quam, Scott--pass. #mnleg https://t.co/ILNDzoXCUR
— Sally Jo Sorensen (@sallyjos) January 26, 2021
While there were many passionate remarks in the discussion, we were struck by one new member's response, who thoughtfully tweeted a video of his first floor remarks.
First-term representative Cedrick Frazier, DFL-New Hope, tweeted a video of his floor remarks, which he framed around his grandfather's experience:
As we voted for a resolution condemning violence and affirming support for our democracy and free and fair elections, I couldn't help but think of my grandfather who grew up in the deep south and was 30 years old when the Voting Rights Act was passed. #mnleg pic.twitter.com/nZocPS2AN1
— Cedrick Frazier (@CedFrazierMN) January 26, 2021
Minneapolis DFLer Emma Greenman, another first year lawmaker, was more philosophical:
Today, I spoke for the first time on the #mnleg House floor, in favor of a resolution condemning attacks on the U.S. Capitol and our democracy. It matters that we stand up to defend our democracy, that we do it now, and that we do it together. https://t.co/PTh3ZIX3tk
— Emma Greenman (@emmagreenman) January 26, 2021
We'll post a link to the Minnesota House Information Services' YouTube of the debate after it is posted on the House channel.
Here it is:
Board screen shot: From Peter Callaghan's twitter feed.
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I am grateful for all who voted to denounce violence and supported our fragile democracy which was attacked by violence toward our governing body due to lies and white supremacists fueled by our past president himself. How could any thoughtful representatives fail to support this critical resolution?! Let’s unite for peace and a stronger democracy
Posted by: Vicki Poier, Montevideo | Jan 27, 2021 at 11:53 AM