ND Rep. VanWinkle called out for going on vacation during legislative session, asked to forgo pay

House Majority Leader Mike Lefor urged Rep. Lori VanWinkle (R-Minot) to forgo her $213 daily pay for five days she missed while on a family vacation during North Dakota’s legislative session. Lefor called her absence “inappropriate” during Monday’s meeting upon her return. VanWinkle defended herself, questioning why she was “being singled out” and suggesting the criticism was an attempt to silence her controversial opinions. She called for an audit of all lawmaker absences. North Dakota legislators meet for only 80 days every two years. While Lefor lacks authority to withhold her pay, he suggested she voluntarily return it. Legislative Council Director John Bjornson confirmed lawmakers are entitled to payment unless they voluntarily decline it.