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.

Appeals Court Sides With Texas on 10 Commandments in Classroom, Overruling Lower Court

Chuck Schumer’s Attempt to Defend the SPLC from Stunning Indictment Earns Him Mockery

Federal court blocks Newsom’s bid to shackle ICE in Trump immigration win

Dem senator likens ICE operations in American streets to oppressive British regime during Revolutionary War

Idaho murders: New book on Kohberger reveals previously unseen evidence, claims sheath could be inadmissible

Trump Rips SCOTUS a New One: Dems Don’t Need to Add Justices Because the Court Is ‘Already Packed’ for Them

Marine veteran allegedly gunned down by husband in attack outside home, police say

Biden Loves to Say His WH Bid Was Sparked by Charlottesville Rally, Which DOJ Says the SPLC Helped Plan

Trump claims Iran ‘starving for cash,’ ‘collapsing financially’ after extending ceasefire

EXCLUSIVE: Planned Parenthood set for massive taxpayer windfall if Senate fails to act

China decries Japanese prime minister for World War II shrine support

Anthropic’s moral compass architect suggested AI overcorrection could address historical injustices

Supreme Court liberals side with Clarence Thomas on Taliban suicide bomber lawsuit, 3 others dissent

ActBlue employees pleaded the Fifth 146 times in depositions. Here’s what they didn’t want to answer

Myrtle Beach man with lengthy arrest record charged with stabbing two people in popular beach destination

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.”