MN Lawmakers Heading into First Session Without Melissa Hortman

(Learfield News/St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Legislature convenes today (Noon) with both chambers set to gavel in before joining together for a memorial honoring the late House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman.

Lawmakers from the House and Senate will gather in the House chamber to pay tribute to Hortman, who served as Speaker from 2019 to 2023 and remained a central figure in DFL leadership.

Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth said the joint memorial reflects Hortman’s legacy of bipartisanship and respect across the aisle. “You’ll see a very meaningful memorial and bringing together Democrats and Republicans in the House chamber along with our Senate colleagues,” Demuth said.

Over in the Senate, lawmakers will welcome back Senator John Hoffman, who returns to the Capitol for the first time since being injured in the June 14th shooting. Hoffman is expected to speak when the chamber opens its session.