LANSING — The bulk of Michigan’s lame duck session came to an end Thursday, following continued absences from House Republicans and one Democrat that prevented any votes from taking place.
Democrats had hoped to make the most of the final days of their trifecta of control in Lansing. But divisions over policy, including the upcoming tipped wage changes, led to all 54 House Republicans walking out of the chamber last week.
One Democrat — Rep. Karen Whitsett of Detroit — also skipped session this week, denying the required 56-member quorum that is required for any business to take place.
“This is the poorest leadership I have ever seen in my six years,” Whitsett said. “It’s a doggone shame in order to get help on issues, I had to go to the Republican leader.”
Whitsett, flanked by Republican leader Matt Hall, had harsh words for Speaker Joe Tate following session.
Tate had earlier enacted a call of the House, a rarely-used procedure that requires all representatives to return to the chamber — by police force if necessary.
The House adjourned less than two hours later, and despite Whitsett and several Republicans being present in the Capitol, no additional members had come to session.
“The Speaker would not negotiate in good faith,” Whitsett said. “They promised me they weren’t going to lock me in here, and that’s exactly what they did, and I hadn’t even spoke to anybody in two seconds.”
Whitsett had previously waffled on whether she would even show up to Thursday’s session, then said she would only do so if specific proposals — including reforms to the tipped wage changes — were voted on.
“There was an attempt to move legislation that was important to some of our members, and there was a negotiation between the House and the Senate over the last several days, and goal posts kept moving and the conversations fell apart,” said Rep. Abraham Aiyash, D-Hamtramck.
Democratic leaders said that negotiations between various parties fell apart over the lame duck session.
“Quite frankly, it became a point where there was no more logic in some of the things that were brought up,” Aiyash said.
Democrats were also quick to point out that the Republican caucus remained absent, contributing to the dysfunction and preventing any votes from being taken.
“Not a single Republican member has shown up since they walked off the floor on Friday,” said Rep. Laurie Pohutsky, D-Livonia. “So there are people who are playing games — I would say that the vast majority of our caucus does not fall into that category.”
The House adjourned until Dec. 31. The Senate is set to hold session on Friday and Monday, Dec. 23, and could vote on any bills already approved by the House — but any new business will have to wait until 2025.
Democratic leadership has said the New Years’ Eve session will only include a motion to adjourn.
“Everything that was on the agenda today in the House is dead,” Pohutsky said. “And the 55 members that did not attend should feel free to own that.”