EAST BETHEL, Minn. — A Minnesota state senator couldn’t make a a routine legislative meeting — he was too tired — so he turned onto a Zoom session from bed and voted that way. Then he disconnected and went back to sleep. Somehow the editors at the British Broadcasting Corporation couldn’t resist ribbing their Yankee viewers with the the video of Republican Senator Calvin Bahr of East Bethel in bed, shirtless for the vote with his shoulders propped up by a pillow. Yes, it went viral. Later after Bahr began his second start on the day, he declined to respond to the obvious question: Why? A Republican Senate spokeswoman, however, said Bahr, a truck driver, had worked until 4:45 a.m. and went to bed before the meeting, which was 30 miles away at the Capitol. The video had a remanent insight into Bahr’s taste in decor: On his bedroom back wall was an oversize mural from the “School House Rock” animation classic and the tune “I’m Just a Bill,” which was the first lesson in civics for a generation of kids in the 1970s. The lyrics:

“I’m just a bill.
Yes, I’m only a bill.
And I’m sitting here on Capitol Hill.
Well, it’s a long, long journey
To the capital city.
It’s a long, long wait
While I’m sitting in committee,
But I know I’ll be a law some day
At least I hope and pray that I will,
But today I am still just a bill.”

Bahr profile

Elected in 2022 to the state Senate 63% to 37% from District 31. Earlier three terms in House. Age 60. Salary as senator: $46,500 plus daily expenses while the Senate is in session for the 125 days a year in St. Paul. One of the Senate’s farthest-right members.