LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Attorney General Dana Nessel threatened criminal action against Michigan lawmakers who did not show up to chamber sessions on Wednesday.

Quite the week in Lansing.

The House, which still holds a Democratic majority until Jan. 1, adjourned on Wednesday afternoon because it failed to reach a quorum. Nessel called the actions of the no-show lawmakers, including all House Republicans, Senator Sylvia Santana (D-Detroit) and Rep. Karen Whitsett (D-Detroit) “literally criminal.”

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Sen. Santana fired back at Nessel on X.

 

What’s the law say?

State Reps. Andrew Fink (R-Hillsdale) and Graham Filler (R- St. Johns) are both attorneys. They criticized Nessel and issued the following joint statement:

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“The Attorney General’s threat to prosecute lawmakers for exercising their constitutional rights is baseless, reckless, and a blatant abuse of power. The Michigan Constitution gives the Legislature — not the Attorney General — sole authority over attendance and penalties. Her attempt to twist the law to intimidate legislators into submission is a dangerous overreach and a clear violation of the separation of powers.”

They continued, “Dana Nessel’s claims are absurd. If her logic held, even [Democratic] Speaker Joe Tate’s failure to hold regular session days this summer could be considered criminal. This is nothing more than a desperate political stunt to silence opposition and distract from her party’s failures,” they said.

Fink and Filler also accused Nessel of trying to weaponize her office. “We will not be bullied. House Republicans remain focused on fighting for policies that protect small businesses, tipped workers, and hardworking Michiganders.”

Attorney David Kallman spoke to Michigan News Source about what he called Nessel’s “outrageous” accusations. “She’s threatening another branch of government? Talk about a separations of powers issue,” he said.

In addition, Kallman said the lawmakers targeted in Nessel’s post have grounds for a lawsuit. “Nessel could get sued for defamation. If I were them, I’d file,” Kallman said.

Democrats still have the majority; House will reconvene on Thursday.

Democrats pitched fits on social media after Republicans walked out of session on Friday over the majority party’s refusal to take up the new wage rates that will be implemented in February 2025 if lawmakers don’t intervene. Democrats did not need Republicans to move legislation forward since they have the majority.

Nessel’s threats appear moot. The House is scheduled to meet at noon on Thursday.