(Source: MIRS.news, Published 12/19/2024) The House adjourned for the second day in a row having voted on no bills after a call of the House was in place for about an hour and sergeants were unable to compel a single additional member to appear in the chamber despite several of them being in the building.

Rep. Karen Whitsett (D-Detroit), the Democrats’ 56th member and sole obstruction to establishing a quorum to vote out their agenda, made the drive to Lansing today and spent her time in Minority Leader Matt Hall (R-Richland Township)’s office before Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit) adjourned until Tuesday, Dec. 31 at 1:30 p.m.

The Capitol press corps was well represented outside of Hall’s office, where the chief sergeant left with no members after entering.

Speaker Pro Tempore Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia)  said that she passed at least three Republican members on her way into the chamber today. Their central staff had their floor privileges revoked, as well.

“If their bosses aren’t gonna show up and do their job, then there’s no point for the staff to be there,” Pohutsky said.

Today’s tentative agenda had 76 items scheduled to be moved through passage and seven bills scheduled under messages from the Senate. On Wednesday, five bills on the agenda were sponsored by Sen. Sylvia Santana (D-Detroit), who didn’t come to session for voting.  Today's House agenda included 14 of Santana’s bills, perhaps to negotiate with her to attend today’s session.

The question of the week was whether Whitsett could be convinced to attend session and vote. The answer: no, and then yes, and then no, and then yes, and finally: no.

The Democratic members have gone back into caucus. Tate was seen going back into his Capitol office, and when reporters asked for an update, he shook his head and closed the door.