(WWJ/AP) The Republican-led Michigan House has refused to extend the state's coronavirus emergency declaration, although Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says she doesn't require their approval.
The Associated Press reports the State House also voted Thursday to authorize a lawsuit challenging the authority of Whitmer, a Democrat, to take executive action to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
The bill, which passed 59-41, would require legislative approval of a state of emergency after 14 days.
Whitmer wanted lawmakers to extend the State of Emergency in Michigan — set to expire late Thursday night — by 28 days. The governor. however, has said the state of emergency will continue regardless because of another law giving her broad powers to act in a crisis. Whitmer has also said she'll veto any legislation that limits her powers.
House Speaker Lee Chatfield says Whitmer needs to allow legislators to have more input regarding the virus crisis.
"We have processes and a Constitution by which we handle pandemics like this," Chatfield said. "And it is called separation of powers, checks and balances that are enumerated in our Constitution to ensure in moments like this was have an active democratic process."
"We want to work with this governor and we are extending our hand to the governor," he added. "I hope that for the same of people around our entire state, that she takes our hands and works with us and builds bridges. That is what we were all sent here to do."
The governor continues to insist that all of her orders and decisions amid the pandemic have been made on advice and data from medical experts, and are meant to keep people safe.
Announcing Wednesday that residential and commercial construction would be permitted to resume next week, the governor said it's imperative we reengage Michigan's economy slowly, and the right way. "This is not a political conversation; this is not a political negotiation. This is about the public health," Whitmer said Wednesday, "We can't make decisions based on feeling and fear; we have to go with the facts and the science. Lives are depending on this. And ultimately our economic health is depending health depends on us getting the right."
The emergency declaration, which was slated to expire on Thursday, allows the government to take special actions to deal with a crisis. It is separate from Whitmer's stay-at-home order, which does not expire until May 15.
The steps in the House came as conservative activists returned to the Capitol Thursday to denounce Whitmer's stay-at-home measure and urging lawmakers to reject Whitmer's emergency request. Tensions ran high at times as as many as a couple of hundred people rallied outside and inside the Capitol building.
Democratic Senator Dayna Polehanki of Livonia tweeted a photo of heavily-armed protestors inside the building, noting: "Directly above me, men with rifles yelling at us. Some of my colleagues who own bullet proof vests are wearing them. I have never appreciated our Sergeants-at-Arms more than today."
While some protesters were on foot, gathered in groups in defiance of social distancing guidelines, others remained in their vehicles; honking their horns as they drove by. One man held a sign that reads: "Whitmer, Kiss My Non-Essential A$$." Other signs displayed the slogans: "Return Our Freedom," "Set Us Free," and "Give Me Government Distancing."
Some of the protestors, who were blocked from entering the House chamber by Michigan State Police troopers, chanted: "Let us in, let us in!" (More on the protest here).
A spokesperson for the House Speaker said police have been keeping protesters out of the House gallery, which is closed to allow lawmakers and reporter to keep up social distancing. There is a viewing area just outside the gallery for visitors.
The protesters want an end to what they call "the shutdown" of Michigan under the governor's orders, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Protesters, unhappy with Gov. Whitmer's executive actions, say they want businesses reopened, and that they have the right to return to work.