Minnesota House Speaker Says $40M Rental Assistance Bill 'Dead on Arrival'

Demuth cites GOP opposition to bill that would aid those impacted by Operation Metro Surge

Mar. 14, 2026 at 12:40am

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Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth stated that a Senate bill providing $40 million in rental assistance for people impacted by Operation Metro Surge is "dead on arrival" in the House. Demuth said House Republicans oppose the legislation, which was passed by the Senate with support from all Democrats and one Republican. The House bill is unlikely to reach a full House vote after failing to pass the Housing Finance and Policy Committee.

Why it matters

The proposed rental assistance bill highlights partisan divides in the Minnesota legislature over how to address the impacts of the federal immigration enforcement operation known as Operation Metro Surge, which led some residents to avoid work. The failure of the bill could leave many struggling renters without aid during an "unprecedented crisis."

The details

The Senate bill, authored by DFL State Senator Lindsey Port of Burnsville, would have provided $40 million in rental assistance to those impacted by Operation Metro Surge. However, House Speaker Demuth, a Republican, stated that the bill is a "non-starter" for House Republicans, who control the chamber. Demuth said the assistance is "not just for illegal immigrants" but for those who "chose not to go to work" due to the federal immigration enforcement operation.

  • The Senate passed the $40 million rental assistance bill in March 2026.

The players

Lisa Demuth

Minnesota Speaker of the House and a Republican.

Lindsey Port

DFL State Senator from Burnsville who authored the Senate rental assistance bill.

Jim Abeler

Republican State Senator from Anoka who voted in favor of the Senate rental assistance bill.

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What they’re saying

“It's not just for illegal immigrants. Because of [Operation] Metro Surge, federal immigration push here, people chose not to go to work. It's a non-starter for House Republicans. That bill is dead on arrival.”

— Lisa Demuth, Minnesota Speaker of the House

“Putting the resources that we have available towards renters who are struggling in an unprecedented crisis is good policy, including preventing evictions and homelessness.”

— Lindsey Port, DFL State Senator

What’s next

The House bill is unlikely to come to a full House vote since it did not pass the Housing Finance and Policy Committee.

The takeaway

The failure of the $40 million rental assistance bill highlights the partisan divide in the Minnesota legislature over how to address the impacts of federal immigration enforcement actions on local residents, potentially leaving many struggling renters without aid during an economic crisis.