St. Paul, Minnesota — House DFL Leader Zack Stephenson released the following statement on House GOP members’ actions last Thursday night, which resulted in an arrest.
"I am troubled to learn that Rep. Engen and Rep. Hudson left committee early to go drinking, returned and voted on consequential legislation on the House floor, and then continued to drink until Rep. Engen was arrested for driving under the influence. There is still much we don’t know about what happened last Thursday. Among the many questions that need to be answered:
- Were Rep. Engen and Rep. Hudson intoxicated during the House floor session on Thursday, when votes were taken on critical public safety measures?
- Minnesotans who are permit-to-carry holders commit a misdemeanor if they carry with a BAC over 0.04. Permit holders convicted of this misdemeanor have their permit suspended or revoked for at least six months. Rep. Hudson clearly violated the law. Will Rep. Hudson voluntarily forfeit his permit?
- Was Rep. Hudson carrying a firearm on the House floor during the debate on gun violence prevention? And if so was he too intoxicated (above .04%) to legally carry?
- The police report describing Rep. Engen’s arrest notes police found a bottle of alcohol in a child’s car seat — was the bottle open?
- And who was the other passenger in the car?
“Minnesotans send us here to represent their interests and get work done. This is a serious matter and deserves immediate attention. Reps. Engen and Hudson owe it to their constituents and the institution of the House to be forthcoming and truthful about this very troubling incident."