House Republicans say Democratic absences have stalled negotiations, urge members to return to work

An unnamed House Republican legislator said during a reporter Q&A that negotiations with House Democrats have not advanced and called on absent Democrats to "show up and do their job," citing roughly two weeks of absences that the speaker described as a "Democrat shutdown."

The lawmaker said the most recent written proposal Democrats have circulated is unchanged from an offer dated Jan. 13 and therefore is not a new basis for talks: "The deal that was offered to us 15 days ago, with speaker in the name only and no power behind that and offering the Democrats a 67th vote right now when they only have 66 members is not moving closer to a deal."

The legislator framed the absence as blocking routine work that would affect budgets and projects across Minnesota, saying committees cannot meet and that capital investments — roads, bridges and wastewater projects — are being held up. "Right now, Democrats are holding all of that hostage, but not by not allowing that work to…