“Two hundred a legislature, separated by a single vote,” said Walz. “I do not know with certainty on this subject, but I am almost sure – unless there is a tie elsewhere – it has never happened in American history.”
But legislative leaders may find it difficult to share the support of the agreement of their caucus.
The progressive dflers, indignant by the decision on undocumented residents, struck at the door of the reception area within the governor’s office at the press conference, singing “do not kill immigrants” and “open the door”. The security staff held the doors closed while the demonstrators were trying to participate in the press conference.
Leader of the majority of the Senate, Erin Murphy, DFL-ST. Paul, said that she was not surprised by the demonstration because it is a “visceral and painful problem” for his caucus. She pointed out that undocumented immigrants are people.
“They are human beings. These are minnesotans,” said Murphy. “They work in our communities. They work with us and alongside us. They go to church with us. They are our neighbors. We have made a decision and a compromise that suggests that they are other, and it is something that people will oppose. ”
The head of the Senate minority, Mark Johnson, R-East Grand Forks, was absent from the press conference, who later declared that he had not been invited to sign the agreement. He said there were good parts of the proposal, but that there was more work to do.