Pressed about her lack of support for an amendment that would close loopholes for offshore tax havens, a Minnesota Republican dodged the question in favor of talking about her religious beliefs.
Minnesota Rep. Abigail Whelan, a second-term House legislator from suburban Ramsey, was responding to a question from Democratic Rep. Paul Thissen early Wednesday morning about whether she thinks benefiting people who are hiding money in Liberia is worth raising taxes on your own constituents.
Whelan ignored the question and instead sounded off about her religion.
It might be because its late and Im really tired, but Im going to take this opportunity to share with the body something I have been grappling with over the past several months, and that is, the games that we play here, she began, leaving the tax haven discussion in the dust. I just want you to know, Representative Thissen and the [Democratic] caucus  I forgive you, it is okay, because I have an eternal perspective about this.
Whelan went on to make a case that happiness is not to be found in good public policy, but rather in the eternal love of Jesus.
I have an eternal perspective and I want to share that with you and the people listening at home that at the end of the day, when we try to reach an agreement with divided government we win some, we lose some, nobody is really happy, but you know what, happiness and circumstances  not what its about, she continued. There is actual joy to be found in Jesus Christ, Jesus loves you all. If you would like to get to know him, youre listening at home, here in this room, please email, call me, would love to talk to you about Jesus, he is the hope of this state and this country.
