Oregon Senate Session Canceled After Militia Threat

Senate floor sessions were planned for this weekend, but Saturday’s session was canceled after militia groups threatened to show up at the Capitol in Salem, state Sen. Elizabeth Steiner Hayward tweeted Friday evening.

Oregon State Police confirmed to KATU that Saturday’s session was called off. The Associated Press reported a spokeswoman for Senate President Peter Courtney said state police recommended the Capitol be closed Saturday.

For the last two days, Senate Republicans have staged a walkout in protest over a controversial cap and trade bill Democrats say is needed to curb human-caused climate change. The walkout has denied the Senate a quorum.

In her tweet, Steiner Hayward, a Democrat, attached a text message informing members to stay clear of the Capitol.

After media began reporting on her tweet, Steiner Hayward deleted it. But before she did, KATU News had grabbed a screen capture of it.

Before this week’s walkout, rhetoric became heated and Republican state Sen. Brian Boquist made threatening remarks toward other lawmakers and OSP troopers as Gov. Kate Brown and Senate Democrats considered calling in state police to bring missing senators back into the Senate chamber.

‘DEI queen’: Virginia Dem’s past embrace of far-left prosecutors unearthed

Slain California fire captain’s wife admits murder after Mexico capture, serving time for killing first spouse

Megan Rapinoe Melts Down After Seeing Photo of Sophie Cunningham with Riley Gaines

Muslims Kill 30 Nigerian Christians in Latest Village Attack

Middle school student arrested after allegedly stashing homemade firearms for robbery plot: sheriff

Dem Senate hopeful flip-flops on emerging issue impacting communities across US

Outgoing Cracker Barrel CEO to Receive Millions in Severance Pay

Conservatives Clash Over Caitlin Clark’s Response to Question About Trans Athletes

Democratic socialist Francesca Hong has former child star, OnlyFans model in senior campaign role: report

Airbnb’s $750,000 to Karen Bass fuels pay-to-play claims over LA rental policy

Schumer said ‘Democrats support voter ID’ — then every Senate Democrat voted against GOP bill

Schumer caves, hands Republicans shutdown win after months of uncertainty

SEE IT: Dem senators rally behind El-Sayed but duck questions on progressive agenda

Two men accused of posing as federal agents arrested after allegedly targeting 85-year-old in $200K gold scam

Senate GOP punts party-line budget fight until after August recess

Courtney and House Speaker Tina Kotek, both Democrats, issued a joint statement Friday afternoon condemning Boquist’s remarks.

“We strongly condemn the comments made this week in the Oregon State Capitol by Senator Brian Boquist threatening lawmakers and Oregon State Police troopers. Law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day in the name of protecting Oregonians and should never be subject to these kinds of threats, let alone from a public official. His comments have created fear among employees in our workplace. We will always defend free speech and welcome frank policy discussions, but threats like these are unacceptable.”

When Republicans began their walk out Thursday, Brown called in state troopers to find the senators and bring them back to the Senate, but most have reportedly left the state.

Shortly after it was announced the Senate had canceled its Saturday session, the Oregon Republican Party tweeted the Democrats had canceled the session because of a “fear that Republican voters may show up.”