Move tries to subvert Michigan’s constitution and democracy
LANSING, Mich., March 13, 2025 — Michigan House Republicans introduced and passed House Resolution 41 yesterday. This resolution instructs the House clerks to, during this Legislature, present bills to the governor only if they were passed within the 103rd Legislature. This resolution aims to allow Republicans to continue holding nine bills hostage and not send them to the governor, even after they were passed by both legislative chambers in the 102nd Legislature. These bills include policies that would work to improve health care affordability, increase retirement security for corrections officers and support laborers. The resolution also flies in the face of the decision of Court of Claims judge, Hon. Sima Patel’s recent ruling that the Michigan Constitution requires presentation of those bills to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. In response to this unconstitutional move, Democratic Leader Ranjeev Puri (D-Canton) issued the following statement:
“The resolution that was adopted is yet another move to withhold presenting nine bills to Gov. Whitmer — this newest move clarifies something beyond a shadow of a doubt: House Republicans don’t care about the people of Michigan and they don’t care about democracy. This means that Michiganders will continue to lose out on more affordable healthcare, security, safety and financial benefits they deserve. This Republican resolution tries to subvert the Michigan constitution and erode the separation of powers — as someone who claims to be a constitutional attorney, Speaker Hall sure doesn’t seem to stand by the cornerstones of our democracy.”