Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth accused of holding gun control bill "hostage"

Added: 2026-05-17

[00:00:00]Pressure is building on a top Minnesota lawmaker to take action in the wake of a deadly school shooting. This year's legislative session ends in just 6 days and the Republican House Speaker has not allowed a gun control bill to hit the floor. That's why Annunciation Catholic school parents are mounting a new letter writing and calling campaign. WCCO's Esme Murphy joins us now with where the debate stands this evening, Esme.

[00:00:24]Amelia, the DFL is accusing House Speaker Melissa Demuth of holding the bill hostage. The bill would ban semi-automatic weapons and large-scale magazines. The Senate already passed it.

[00:00:34]The governor says if it comes to his desk, he's going to sign it. Supporters say even if the speaker is against the bill, which she is, she should at least put it up for a vote.

[00:00:44]Annunciation parents are furious.

[00:00:46]>> To just simply say I do not want to bring it to the floor essentially because you don't want to know what the outcome's going to be because you're cuz you're so you're so worried about your own political future is is nauseating.

[00:01:01]>> Brock saves youngest daughter Astoria was shot and wounded. His older daughter Estella is a survivor. So is Tess Rada's daughter Layla. She was not physically hurt, but her mom says she'll never be the same.

[00:01:12]>> The fact that it's not even being brought to the floor to be voted on is really, really disappointing. It kind of just feels like maybe Speaker Demuth is is shielding them from having to make a a hard vote.

[00:01:26]>> Parents are joined by DFL members like Representative Jamie Long.

[00:01:29]>> It is the power of the speaker and so it's fully in Melissa Demuth's control, but right now she is holding onto the bill so that it doesn't even move forward in the process. It hasn't been reported by the house that we've received it even.

[00:01:42]>> The Minnesota House is tied 67 Republicans and 67 DFL members. It's not clear if there was a vote in the house if it would pass, but it would force every member of the legislature to go on the record in an election year. Folks can vote how they want. They can show Minnesotans whether they support this package or not, but to hold the bill hostage and not even allow a vote is really outrageous. Governor Tim Walz joined in on the let them vote chorus saying on social media, "All the victims are asking for is a vote. If Republicans are against it, they can vote no." Brox says some parents feel Daudt assured them she would allow a vote.

[00:02:19]>> Now we're hearing that she is refusing to do that.

[00:02:23]Now, in a statement late this afternoon, a GOP spokesperson said, "Quote, the bill has not passed a single committee in the house and requires stops in Judiciary, Public Safety, Education Finance, and Human Services Finance. The speaker has said since September that she will not prevent a floor vote if the bill completes the House committee process and she stands by that. That explanation is completely different than the one that the DFL says is needed and they insist it is the speaker who is keeping it from going to House committees." Two very different versions here and I guarantee you we will keep reporting on this throughout the final 6 days of the legislative session.

[00:03:01]Absolutely, Asma. Thank you.