St. Paul, Minnesota — Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler released the following statements on the Republican Senate blocking the confirmation of Department of Labor and Industry Commissioner Nancy Leppink.
“It’s disgraceful that Senate Republicans are removing a woman leader because she is good at her job,” said Speaker Hortman. “Nancy Leppink has done excellent work standing up for Minnesota workers, and she is an outstanding public servant. Republicans are intent on playing politics instead of following science and data in responding to the COVID pandemic. They have continually attempted to restrict Governor Walz’s ability to respond to the pandemic on behalf of Minnesotans, and are now blocking one of his administration’s top officials from doing her job. Their obstruction knows no bounds.”
“Minnesota workers have a champion in Nancy Leppink,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “She is determined, informed, and strategic. Removing her from office shows how little Minnesota workers mean to Senate Republicans. This is shameful behavior.”