Legislative Update - The 2026 Legislative Session

Dear Neighbors, 

The 2026 Legislative Session began this week, with the impact of federal agents and Operation Metro Surge being top of mind for me and my DFL colleagues - but frustratingly, not so much for Republicans in the Minnesota Legislature. 

Though the Trump administration would tell us that the number of ICE agents throughout our state is dwindling, it certainly doesn’t feel that way for many in our community. Regardless of whether Operation Metro Surge is truly ending, our work in the Minnesota Legislature must be focused on helping impacted communities recover, and preparing our state for the next (or continued) federal overreach. 

As the DFL Chair of the House’s Education Policy Committee, an important bill I’ve been working on would require federal agents to produce a judicial warrant in order to gain access to a Minnesota school. I think you’ll agree this is an incredibly low bar to set, and something that had been a normal practice before the 2nd Trump administration.

This bill should not have been controversial.

When I presented it before the Education Policy Committee, I was joined by students, teachers, parents, and staff, all of them either recounting harrowing experiences with ICE or testifying to the importance of this bill. I sincerely thank these testifiers for stepping up to bravely share their stories, and I’m so incredibly sorry their words weren’t received by my Republican colleagues. 

Despite the testimony, facts, norms, and seemingly daily headlines of ICE’s atrocities, all Republicans on the committee voted to block this legislation from advancing. With our tie in the Minnesota House, it only takes ONE Republican to say “enough is enough” and put the safety of our students first.

For the rest of the session, I’ll be working to find that one Republican.

This week’s committee hearing was not the end of this conversation, but the start. We saw similar actions in the Housing committee this week, where Republicans also blocked desperately-needed rental assistance funding.

There’s a lot of work to do, but it’s work worth doing. 

Honoring Melissa Hortman

On our very first day of the legislative session, no committees met, and not a lot of official work was conducted. What we did do was commemorate Melissa Hortman, who was killed in an act of political violence that also claimed her husband Mark and their dog Gilbert.

I used to sit next to Speaker Melissa Hortman on the floor of the House. Now, I sit next to a bouquet of roses honoring her memory.

Being in the House chamber again, where she was a fixture for 20 years, felt like the right place to once again recognize our loss and her monumental progressive contributions to our state. While that day was emotional, I am ready to fight like hell for our state and our people. It’s an honor that this is my job.

I try to draw on Melissa’s grit, biting humor, and work ethic. I know she would not have wanted that day to be about her, though I’m sure she would be deeply touched by it. Melissa would want us to get on with the business of Minnesota, protecting and making life easier for Minnesotans. So that’s what I’m going to do. 

LFG.

In solidarity, 

Sydney Jordan

State Representative