House Republicans said the Minnesota House failed to reach a quorum after 66 Democratic members did not attend, and they accused Secretary Simon of refusing to accept motions that would have compelled absent members to appear and forfeited pay.

Speaker Damas, a House Republican leader, said the chamber "expected some of our Democrat colleagues to have joined us today" and added that "the secretary of state . . . would not take any motions from any duly elected member of the House of Representatives today." He said Republicans were present "now on week 3" and would continue to meet to do legislative work.

Leader Niska, the House Republican floor leader, said Republicans intended to offer a motion under the Minnesota Constitution to compel attendance. Niska said the motion would have asked that "absent members be compelled to attend the next house session. Those who remain absent shall forego their legislative salary until they attend session and shall be ineligible to receive per diem for the 25, 26 legislative session." He said Secretary Simon declined to accept that motion and described the secretary's explanation as that he took "the safest path." Niska called the refusal an overreach of an executive-branch official into the legislative process and cited Palmer v. Perpich as precedent that executive-branch officials should not interfere with the legislature.

Republican leaders repeatedly noted the headcount cited at the news conference: they said Democrats numbered 66 members who did not appear while Republicans counted 67 members present. They said that absence prevented the House from electing leadership or moving forward on business and that, if members return, those numbers would determine who can be elected speaker and committee leaders.

Reporters asked whether Republicans had legal options after the secretary's refusal. Niska said the state Supreme Court "might have to clean it up," and when asked whether Republicans would pursue legal action he replied, "Stay tuned." Damas said House Republicans planned to return to the chamber at 3:30 p.m. the next day and would continue to be present until members of the other party appear.

No formal motion was recorded on the House floor, and no vote took place. The motion Republicans described was prevented from being offered at the desk when Secretary Simon declined to receive motions, according to the comments in the transcript of the news conference.

The remarks also addressed a contested seat: Republican leaders said Representative Brad Tabke had submitted an oath of office they said was taken "in a secret ceremony," and said he had "a seat" and a button but did not appear in the chamber that day. Leaders said the normal process for resolving election contests would be for the House to debate next steps once a member appears.

The news conference closed with Republicans saying they would continue meeting daily in the chamber and urged Democratic members to return so formal House business — including leadership elections and committee assignments — could proceed.