Minn. House Rules Committee deadlocks on impeachment investigation; motion fails on 8-8 vote

The Minnesota House Rules Committee on May 14 considered ARE13A, a resolution to set procedures for investigating impeachment resolutions related to Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison, but a motion to advance the measure failed on an 8-8 tie.

Committee staff member Mr. Gehring told members the resolution would formalize an investigative process under Article VIII of the Minnesota Constitution, provide minimum standards for witness testimony and evidence collection, authorize committee subpoena power if necessary, guarantee representation by legal counsel for subjects of any inquiry, and require a final committee report by May 1, 2026.

Representative Weiner, the sponsor of House Resolution 6, argued the inquiry is warranted by what he described as "years of testimony" and congressional and legislative evidence of a multibillion-dollar fraud that he said shows executive leadership failed to safeguard taxpayer funds. "This was not a single incident," Weiner said, urging the committee to advance HR 6 to restore accountability.

Representative Davis, sponsor of House Resolution 7, urged the committee to investigate allegations tied to the attorney general, citing a December 2021 meeting recorded on audio with individuals later indicted in the Feeding Our Future fraud network and campaign contributions that the sponsor said flowed from people linked to that network. "This meeting was not constituent service," Davis said, and called the circumstances "the clear appearance of corrupt conduct in office."

Several public testifiers also urged action. Faye Bernstein, who identified herself as a current state employee and whistleblower, said she reported risky contracts beginning in 2019 and suffered retaliation that included involuntary reassignment. "The retaliation continues. The fraud continues and there is no accountability," Bernstein testified.

Other public commenters, including a speaker identified as Alan and a disability advocate who spoke in support of impeachment, framed the matter as a breach of trust and urged legislators to pursue an inquiry. Joe McCarthy, another public commenter, described working on a recall effort and said impeachment offers a separate path to accountability.

Committee debate turned sharply partisan. Representative Jordan called the resolution "dumb" and said the panel should focus on legislative priorities such as gun violence prevention and affordability. Representative Scott and others also characterized the measure as a partisan diversion. Supporters, including Representative Schultz and other backers, said the inquiry is about fulfilling constitutional duties and responding to allegations that have real fiscal consequences for Minnesotans.

After a renewed motion to advance the resolution, the clerk took a roll-call vote that produced an 8-8 tie. The chair announced the motion did not prevail and adjourned the committee.

What the resolution would have done ARE13A would have required referral of impeachment resolutions to the House Committee on Fraud Prevention and Safety Agency Oversight for a structured investigation, specified hearing and evidence standards, permitted use of subpoenas, ensured minority-member participation in calling witnesses, protected the right of subjects to counsel, and directed the committee to issue a final report by May 1, 2026.

Next steps With the Rules Committee vote failing, the resolution will not proceed from this committee at this time. Sponsors said they hope to find another path to move HR 6 and HR 7 forward; opponents said the legislature should concentrate on other bills. The committee adjourned without advancing ARE13A.