Senate GOP casts no vote for resolution condemning pardons

Minnesota Republican senators voted against a resolution condemning President Donald Trump’s sweeping pardons of Jan. 6 insurrectionists. 

Democrats unanimously backed the resolution, passing it along party lines with their two-vote majority. The resolution is a statement by the legislative body and has no impact on Minnesota laws or agencies. It did, however, put Republicans in an uncomfortable position, forcing them to take a position on the pardons, which were largely opposed by the American public — especially pardons for rioters who were convicted of assaulting police officers.

Twenty-two Republicans voted against the resolution; 10 GOP senators abstained. Minnesota Republicans Tuesday repeatedly turned the conversation to former President Joe Biden’s immigration policies and pardons, and Gov. Tim Walz’s recent remarks celebrating Tesla stock dropping in value. District 21 Sen. Bill Weber, R-Luverne, introduced an amendment that would have condemned Walz’s comments about Tesla stock, rather than the Jan. 6 pardons.

Weber