Minnesota lawmakers clash over fraud, immigration as session begins

Audio By Carbonatix

(The Center Square) – As the Minnesota legislative session kicked off Tuesday, Republicans and Democrats are already miles apart on policy priorities, signaling a contentious few months ahead.

In the wake of Operation Metro Surge, Democrat lawmakers are focusing on responding to federal immigration enforcement, emphasizing protections for immigrant communities and oversight of law enforcement cooperation with federal authorities.

On the other hand, Republican lawmakers are zeroing in on fraud, particularly in state welfare programs. As the state continues to make national headlines for alleged reports of widespread fraud, the state GOP is pushing for stricter oversight and accountability measures.

With less than 90 days in the regular 2026 legislative session and each party prioritizing starkly different issues, early negotiations are expected to be tense in the divided legislature.

In the Minnesota State Senate, the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party holds a slim majority by just one seat. DFL has 34 seats, compared to the Republicans’ 33. In the Minnesota State House, DFL and Republicans are tied – both holding exactly 67 seats.

This partisan breakdown of the legislature will require significant negotiations and compromises for any legislation to be passed and signed into law by Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat.

State Rep. Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Springs, serves as speaker of the Minnesota House under a power-sharing agreement with Democrats.

Demuth is also running for governor and is calling out Democrats for refusing to work with Republicans on fraud legislation.

“If House Democrats won't get on board to pass legislation ending fraud of our tax dollars, I think the people of Minnesota have a solution – we will get our own trifecta in November,” she said on social media Wednesday.

This came after Republicans and Democrats were already sparring in the first days of the legislative session over the institution of an independent statewide Office of Inspector General.

On the Democrat side, they are calling out Republicans for refusing to work with them on a legislative package looking to address federal immigration enforcement.

The 11-bill package sought to “hold ICE accountable.”

“No more secret police. No more ICE in our schools or hospitals. No more trampling on constitutional rights. No more killing of Minnesotans,” said the Minnesota House DFL party on social media.

Already though, there is no sign of compromise as every single Republican on the House Education Policy Committee voted against one of the pieces of legislation. The DFL called that out on social media today.

“Republicans would rather stand with Donald Trump than with our state’s students, teachers, and families.”