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.

Congress is vulnerable to a paralyzing terrorist attack

‘Unprecedented’: Judges reveal behind-the-scenes coordination on Trump immigration cases

Apple TV’s thriller ‘Last Seen’ is worth seeing

Barry Melrose, 1956-2026

Minnesota woman’s mugshot goes viral after social media users spot resemblance to Jennifer Lopez

Breaking: Holdout Juror in Lindsay Clancy Trial Issues First Statement: ‘I Didn’t Have Any Doubts’

Juror who blocked Lindsay Clancy verdict disputes fellow jurors’ claims: report

Incumbent GOP Rep Attacks Trump for Enforcing Immigration Law in ‘Stunning’ Campaign Ad

Watch: Dem Candidate Cries Uncontrollably, Prays in Squad Car After Drunk Driving Arrest

HOA Forecloses on Sick Homeowner Over $977 Debt, Then Buys His $450k Home for $8,000

ICE deports ex-Liberian fighter accused of torture, recruiting child soldiers

Alert: Undeniable Boasberg Communist Connections Finally Surface – Hosted Communist Propaganda Org’s Events 9 Times, 6 as FISA Judge

Trump’s EPA reforms are a huge boost to manufacturers, but there’s more red tape to cut: expert

Oregon Mom Gets Last Laugh After State Blocked Her from Adopting a Foster Child Due to Her Christian Beliefs

Mike Huckabee calls out Macklemore on antisemitism: ‘Voice’ of ‘Jew hatred’

See also Barry Melrose, 1956-2026

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.”