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.

NYC Dem, Hochul aide under investigation over alleged migrant shelter bribes

Democrats pounce on $4 a gallon gas, blame Trump’s Iran war for ‘broken promise’

Woman Tries Getting Birth Certificate, SS Card, and Marriage License to See if Dems Are Honest – Says She Caught Them Lying Through Their Teeth

Trump Seethes After France Blocks American Military Planes: ‘The USA Will Remember’

Hegseth reveals covert visit to troops fighting in Operation Epic Fury

Trump’s proposed presidential library revealed as towering Miami skyscraper in striking new video

Outrage grows as ICE detainer ignored in connection to killing of 24-year-old mother and more top headlines

Scoop: House Speaker Mike Johnson’s allies unleash $10M campaign to spotlight Trump tax cuts

Florida county’s Democratic Party chair accused of hitting man in head with bullhorn at ‘No Kings’ protest

Trump reveals first look at presidential library in Miami

Teacher of the Year finalist gets 14 years for sexual relationship with student she kept contacting

Top Ten King-Like Things Barack Obama Did That Democrats Had No Problem With

Fugitive illegal alien convict on the run after attempting to strike ICE officer with vehicle: DHS

Charlie Kirk Memorial Bill Vetoed by Swing-State Dem Governor Who Said It Didn’t ‘Bring People Together’

DHS slams California ‘sanctuary’ county after mom allegedly murdered by 2 Honduran nationals

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.”