House passes resolution to ‘denounce violence’ and ‘support our democracy’

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.

New House Republican amendments fail

Rep. Steve Drazkowski (R-Mazeppa) unsuccessfully offered an amendment to “strengthen” the resolution.

In addition to condemning the “violent insurrection into the Congressional chambers to prevent the certification of the electoral college and the presidential election,” and “a resolve to heal the political divide within the state of Minnesota and work towards a brighter and better future for all Minnesotans of all backgrounds, races, and countries of origin”; it states “that the House of Representatives of the State of Minnesota condemns any action that interferes with anyone's ability to speak against their Government and condemns any attempt to use violence as a political weapon.”

The amendment’s impetus comes, in part, from a House investigation into an appearance by a few Republican members at a Jan. 6 State Capitol rally.

“The Republican members who attended this event must renounce the violent rhetoric used at the rally they attended and renounce the seditious rhetoric and insurrection that occurred in Washington DC. It is reprehensible that an event these members attended called for civil war and casualties,” House Speaker Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park) stated in a Jan. 11 release.

A Bureau of Criminal Apprehension investigation concluded speech at the “Storm the Capitol” rally did not violate protected free speech.

A Drazkowski-offered amendment to the amendment was ruled out of order. “It stated that “any member who attempts to criminalize political speech by their action may be subject to referral to the Ethics Committee.”