During the end of a legislative session on Tuesday, Minnesota Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson (R-East Grand Forks) used the anti-Polish term “Polack” while contending that Republicans are not racist.
“Look folks, we brought forth good faith amendments throughout the night,” Johnson said. “There are holes in this bill. We’re not calling groups any names; what we’re saying is we need to protect Minnesotans. Doesn’t matter what your race, your color, your creed. Norwegian, Polack, Somalian, you name it.”
Minnesota House Minority Leader Mark Johnson (R), while arguing that Republicans aren’t bigoted, uses a derogatory term for Polish people: “We are not calling groups any names … It doesn’t matter what your race, color, your creed. Norwegian, Polack, Somali, you name it.” pic.twitter.com/9dvlxXOcCn
— Heartland Signal (@HeartlandSignal) February 23, 2023
Johnson was voicing his frustration at the fact Republican proposed amendments to House File 4 were being shot down by Democrats. HF 4 would modify the requirements to get a driver’s license and allow undocumented residents the ability to obtain one. This would make Minnesota the 18th state in the U.S. to have such a law, according to Minnesota Public Radio. Meanwhile, Republicans in the legislature are concerned that undocumented residents would be able to unlawfully vote if the bill passes.
The Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, Minnesota’s branch of the Democratic Party, gained control of both of Minnesota’s state legislative chambers in the 2022 midterms. They currently hold a one-seat advantage in the Senate and a six-seat advantage in the House.
“Tonight, we were called white national racists as a whole party,” Johnson continued. “Look, we represent 49.5% of this state. You’re calling 49.5% of this state racist because they want to protect Minnesotans, because they have concerns about a bill? Is that what we do now in the state Senate?”
Johnsons went on to complain about Republicans not having the ability to voice their concerns over the bill, even though the legislature was concluding an eight-hour session at the time of his speech.
HF 4 was introduced by state Sen. Zaynab Mohamed (DFL-Minneapolis), who is the youngest person ever elected to Minnesota’s state legislature. In addition to controlling both chambers in Minnesota, DFL Gov. Tim Walz also won reelection in 2022, making HF 4’s passage almost inevitable.
“This victory belongs to Minnesota’s immigrants and the dedicated advocates who have bravely fought for this legislation for over 20 years,” Mohamed said after HF 4 passed the Senate. “Today, we sent a message to Minnesota’s undocumented community: We hear you, we see you and you are a part of our beloved community.”