The majority leader of Minnesota’s Democrat-controlled State House enjoyed a moment of candid self expression in the background of a Minnesota Senate Republicans press event.
The Senate Republicans addressed the media, Tuesday, to update the state about their efforts to provide affordable access to insulin for diabetics. As the cameras rolled, House leader Ryan Winkler stepped into frame and raised his middle finger.
Looks like Majority Leader @_RyanWinkler didn’t like our message today on Insulin. “Character is what you do (when you think) no one is watching.” #mnleg #Insulin4All pic.twitter.com/V7siWMZu53
— Minnesota Senate Republicans (@mnsrc) April 7, 2020
Winkler later apologized for the rude gesture, alongside a claim that the Republicans do not deserve credit for their work in the area of insulin accessibility.
My son has Type 1 diabetes. It was poor form to express myself as I did, and for that I am sorry. But after months in which Senate Republicans blocked the emergency insulin bill, it was also poor form of them to claim credit alone after we are all on the edge of a deal.
— Ryan Winkler (@_RyanWinkler) April 7, 2020
Last year, the State Legislature was unable to pass The Alec Smith Emergency Insulin Act, a bill that would provide releif to diabetic Minnesotans who struggle to afford their insulin. However, this session’s Republican-controlled State Senate successfully passed the Alec Smith Act, which now sits with the House. This effort was lead by Republican Senator Jeff Howe, according to a press release from the Senate Republicans.