Legislature Adjourned Having Reached a “Global Deal”
The Minnesota Legislature wrapped up the 2026 legislative session just before midnight on Sunday, May 17th having passed a handful of major initiatives included in the “global deal” announced by Gov. Walz and legislative leaders earlier in the week. In the end, the legislature passed a number of high-profile initiatives, including:
Total general fund impact is an increase in state spending of $659.9 million in FY 26-27, but a reduction of $294 million in FY 28-29. A link to the signed agreement can be found here.
House Democrats Hold Sit-In; Unable to Force Vote on Gun Control
One of the major headlines of the final weekend was the House DFL Caucus’ “sit-in” from Thursday evening until mid-day Saturday as they called on Speaker of the House Rep. Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring) to schedule a vote on S.F. 4067, a high-profile gun violence prevention proposal.
The bill would ban firearm dealers from selling weapons like the AR-15 and magazines containing over 17 rounds. It would have also required current owners of assault weapons and large-capacity magazines to certify their firearms and magazines with the state’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and renew their certification every three years. Lastly, the bill would have reinstated a ban on binary triggers, which doubles a firearm’s rate of fire and language making it a felony to sell so-called “ghost guns” or firearms without serial number that was recently struck down of grounds of legislative procedure.
On May 4, 2026, the Minnesota Senate passed S.F. 4067 on a 34-33 party-line vote, but a motion to recall the bill from committee for a floor vote failed 67-67 in the tied House of Representatives.
Reconciliation Bill Faces Procedural and Political Headwinds
Congressional Republicans are entering a critical week as Senate GOP leaders attempt to advance a $72 billion reconciliation package focused on increased funding for ICE and Customs and Border Protection. The legislation is expected to move through the Senate this week, but significant procedural and political challenges remain.
A major flashpoint has emerged around a proposed $1 billion allocation for the Secret Service tied to security needs associated with President Donald Trump’s planned White House ballroom project. The funding proposal has created divisions within the Republican conference, particularly among vulnerable House and Senate Republicans concerned about supporting the project amid continued inflationary pressures and elevated gas prices nationwide.
Over the weekend, the Senate parliamentarian ruled that the ballroom-related funding language does not currently comply with Senate reconciliation rules under the Byrd Rule. Senate Republican leadership is expected to continue revising and resubmitting the language in an effort to preserve the provision during the ongoing “Byrd Bath” review process. Senate Democrats have indicated they will continue challenging any revised language.
Even if the provision ultimately survives the parliamentarian review, Senate Democrats are preparing a series of vote-a-rama amendments designed to strip the ballroom funding from the package and redirect the money elsewhere. Because these amendments require only a simple majority, a small number of Republican defections could jeopardize the provision. Democratic leadership also plans to use the amendment process to force Republicans to publicly vote on the controversial funding issue.
Key Senate committees are expected to move quickly this week to position the bill for floor consideration. The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee is scheduled to mark up its portion of the package Tuesday morning, with Democrats planning amendments focused on ICE operations, transparency requirements for DHS officials, and broader national security priorities. The Senate Budget Committee is expected to report the bill out Wednesday morning ahead of a likely Thursday vote-a-rama.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is expected to focus Democratic amendment strategy on affordability concerns and other politically sensitive issues, including Iran-related policy matters and the ballroom funding provision.
On the House side, Republican leadership is simultaneously working to meet President Trump’s self-imposed June 1 deadline for passage of the broader reconciliation package. Speaker Mike Johnson is also navigating separate legislative challenges this week, including a GOP housing package expected to come to the floor under suspension of the rules, requiring a two-thirds majority for passage.
President Trump’s renewed push to attach the SAVE America Act to either the housing package or pending FISA reauthorization legislation has introduced additional uncertainty for House leadership. While FISA authorities do not expire for several weeks, Republican leaders are working to maintain conference unity amid increasing pressure from both the White House and conservative members.
LHPA will continue to monitor reconciliation negotiations, Senate procedural developments, and House floor activity throughout the week and provide updates as the process evolves.
