Minnesota House Republicans and Democrats exchanged sharp words via news conference, e-mails and court filings on Monday. Still, there is no agreement that could head off a chaotic start to the 2025 Minnesota legislative session. 

The uncertainty comes after House DFL members were sworn in during an unprecedented mass swearing-in ceremony at the Minnesota History Center Sunday night.

RELATED: House Republicans denounce Democrats’ early swearing-in ceremony

The House DFL used campaign funds to rent the space and had Hennepin County Judge Kevin Burke swear members in. They took the step to prepare for the possibility that no DFL members would show up to the opening day of the session to prevent House Republicans from having a quorum to conduct business with a one-seat advantage, 67-66.

DFL Secretary of State Steve Simon will preside over the House until a new House Speaker is elected. In a letter to House Republicans Friday, he told them, “If there are not 68 members present (for a quorum), I have no authority to take any further action and will adjourn.”

Republicans sent a letter back Monday, urging him to, “reconsider this deeply flawed and dangerous course of action.”

They say his role, while prescribed in the Minnesota Constitution, is largely ceremonial and that as a member of the executive branch, he has no authority over the House. If he tries to assert authority and adjourn the body, Republicans say he will be, “subject to removal and replacement by the body.”

Sec. Simon sent a letter back to Republicans on Monday afternoon, defending his previous statements.

Simon pointed out previous situations and cases to back up his stance. Additionally, he wrote, “I also want to reiterate that I am not acting on behalf of any ‘political ally’ in this matter.”

Later he added he “respectfully [disagrees]” with House GOP leadership’s viewpoint on what it takes for a quorum.  

Simon is also suggesting to get the Minnesota Supreme Court in play, writing to Republican lawmakers, “I urge you to consider submitting this matter to the courts for resolution.”

Hamline University political science professor David Schultz feels that is an unnecessary step. 

“What we’re now asking is for the [Minnesota] Supreme Court to play parent to the children who are in the state legislature,” Schultz said. 

The full letter from Simon can be viewed at the bottom of this article.

“Do we really want the court delving into? For example, which party legitimately has control? These are supposed to be matters resolved by elections, not by the courts,” Schultz added. “These are supposed to be matters that the parties should act like adults and be able to figure out here.”

“We’re very concerned that Republicans appear to be escalating the situation to the point that they’re going to take unlawful action on the first day and actually disregard the Minnesota Secretary of State,” DFL House Speaker-designate Melissa Hortman said at a news conference at the Capitol Monday.

Republicans say Democrats escalated the situation by holding a secret swearing-in ceremony. Hortman defended the move.

“We scheduled it to be confidential so we wouldn’t have any security issues with Republican activists trying to block the activity,” she told reporters.

The two sides will meet again Monday night to try to reach a power-sharing agreement.

Hortman says DFLers offered a compromise to let Republicans control the House for two weeks until a special election in the east metro is likely to restore a 67-67 tie. Republicans plan to elect a speaker who will serve the next two years.

Meanwhile, still no decision in an election contest in Scott County.

DFL Rep. Brad Tabke was sworn in last night. An attorney for Republican candidate Aaron Paul filed a brief with the court Monday saying Tabke’s swearing-in is a, “direct attempt to flout this court’s authority.”

Tabke’s attorney responded by saying the court’s decision will be “purely advisory” and that the court doesn’t have the power to, “enjoin Representative Tabke from taking the oath of office.”

The session is scheduled to start at noon Tuesday.