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.

Video shows moments before Army veteran was fatally shot in Walmart parking lot dispute

WWII pilot missing after secret spy mission finally accounted for more than 80 years later

Trump’s ‘hero’ justice offers roadmap after Supreme Court rejects birthright order

Former KKK Grand Wizard praises Mamdani-endorsed socialist’s stance on interracial marriage

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna Declares War on the Senate Over SAVE America Act

MUST SEE: The Moment Actual Rough Riders Escort Trump’s Motorcade to the Teddy Roosevelt Library

Couple who climbed Empire State Building for engagement out on ‘supervised release’

Vatican says SSPX in schism, affirms excommunication of laity and clerics

Out of Control Tim Walz Pardons, Releases Illegal Child Rapist, Now ICE Likely Can’t Deport Him

Biden ‘madness’ still being revealed as father killed, children kidnapped by terror group member: DOJ

‘Corruption’ Allegations Fly as Controversial Referee Decision Dents US World Cup Hopes

WATCH: Lawler unloads on Raskin after fiery immigration hearing: ‘Grow the f— up’

Young psychotherapist mom butchered inside home as cops scramble to find her killer

Empire State Building security under scrutiny after climbers’ stunt, tourist reveals possible access point

China-linked green group training US judges draws fresh heat as foreign ties fuel pressure at home

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.”