Oregon Senate walkout continues as 6 more Republicans banned from re-election

Authored by eu.statesmanjournal.com and submitted by LudovicoSpecs
image for Oregon Senate walkout continues as 6 more Republicans banned from re-election

Oregon Senate walkout continues as 6 more Republicans banned from re-election

The Oregon Senate failed to reach quorum again Thursday, meaning six additional Republican senators have now disqualified themselves from running for reelection under Article IV, Section 15 of the Oregon Constitution.

Senators Lynn Findley, R-Vale; Bill Hansell, R-Athena; Tim Knopp, R-Bend; Art Robinson, R-Cave Junction; Kim Thatcher, R-Keizer; and Suzanne Weber, R-Tillamook, all hit 10 unexcused absences.

Under Measure 113, passed by 68% of voters in November, the senators are now barred from running for their current Senate seat in the next election.

That means, unless the rule is overturned in court by an expected legal challenge, only three of the state's Republican senators are left to run for re-election at the end of their term.

It also means another day of standstill in the Senate.

Senate President Rob Wagner, D-Lake Oswego, called it "another extremely challenging day for Oregon."

He delivered remarks after the sergeant at arms confirmed Republican senators could not be found, expressing disappointment and frustration at the now two-week walkout that's blocked progress in the state Legislature.

"By walking out in defiance of Article IV, Section 15 certain senators continue to disrespect our democracy," Wagner said.

The minority should not have the ability to silence the will of the majority, he said, quoting Alexander Hamilton and other founders who warned that minority veto meant "we do not have a democracy."

"If the voters wanted different policies, they would have voted that way. That is how a democracy works," Wagner said. "This walkout must end. The people of Oregon desire it. Democracy demands it."

Republicans are calling the walkout a "peaceful, constitutional protest" against deeply partisan bills. Votes have been blocked on House Bill 2002, a bill surrounding abortion and gender-affirming care.

About the bill: Abortion, gender-affirming care bill heads to the Oregon Senate

On the floor, Sen. David Brock-Smith was one of two Republicans present. He extended courtesies to his Republican colleagues for their "selfless" work to "defend the political rights of every Oregonian in this state."

In an emailed statement, Senate minority leader Tim Knopp said the party promised Oregonians and Democratic colleagues that they would return before the session ended to suspend reading and rules on "lawful, substantially bipartisan budgets and bills," meaning the Senate could vote quickly on those bills before the deadline to end the session.

State law requires the Legislature to pass a budget this year.

"While Democrats are laser-focused on the issues that do nothing but divide, we are focused on the real issues Oregonians care most about – homelessness, affordable housing, public safety, cost of living, job creation and fully-funded education," the statement said.

It's a move Wagner said he would not support.

During a news conference, he referenced Gov. Tina Kotek's remarks in 2020 when she was House speaker. She said Republicans had cheated during their 2020 walkout and criticized Republicans' offer to return 12 hours before the constitutional deadline.

"That's not what democracy is. It just isn't. The same standard is going to apply here," Wagner said.

He and Senate Majority Leader Kate Lieber, D-Beaverton, said they have had 11 hours of conversation with Republicans.

They said they have asked Republican leadership to give them a "wish list" of demands. They've failed to do so, Lieber said, and instead continued to provide a kill list of bills they want killed.

Those bills included House Bill 2005, Senate Joint Resolution 33 and Senate Bill 27, Lieber said.

HB 2005 would raise the possession and purchase age limit on certain guns, allow local governments to prohibit concealed firearms in their public buildings and grounds, and prohibit unserialized ghost guns. SJR 33 and SB 27 are tied together, relating to a proposed constitutional amendment surrounding marriage protections for same-sex couples and abortion.

Democrats remain unwilling to negotiate away HB 2002, she said.

She was sad, she said, to see Republicans follow Knopp and "abandon" partnerships that have been built over years.

Wagner and Lieber said no additional conversations with Republicans are scheduled at the moment. They need to catch their breath, Wagner said, after the morning's events.

No Senate sessions are scheduled for Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

Dianne Lugo covers the Oregon Legislature and equity issues. Reach her at [email protected] or on Twitter @DianneLugo

bluebastille on May 19th, 2023 at 20:42 UTC »

Republicans are not into that whole "democracy" thing.

LordSiravant on May 19th, 2023 at 20:38 UTC »

They plan to challenge that in court, don't they? Republicans don't just put their hold on power on the line like that. They're up to something.

Shoesandhose on May 19th, 2023 at 20:37 UTC »

I’m so glad I voted yes on the legislation that did this. Go Oregon!