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.

Judge Orders Release of Sealed Tyler Robinson Records

Dems Told Us Somalis Are Massive Contributors to Minnesota. Stats Prove That’s a Lie of Profound Proportions

Zelenskyy says peace deal is close after Trump meeting but territory remains sticking point

Lapsed Epstein deadline underscores challenge of reviewing troves of files in 30 days

Swalwell slammed by Border Patrol commander over imagery showing ICE raiding Jesus Christ’s manger

Netanyahu says Trump to become first non-Israeli to receive Israel Prize

Home Owned by NASCAR Star Denny Hamlin Destroyed in Deadly Blaze

Look for Times Square Crystal Ball To Do Something Different This Year As USA’s 250th Birthday Approaches

Illegal immigrants allegedly ran multi-million-dollar gift card fraud scheme hitting stores daily across Texas

Trump rebukes Ukraine after Putin says his home was attacked

Gen. Flynn Sends Blistering Request to Trump: ‘We The People Demand Accountability!’

Jan. 6 pipe bomb suspect fights DOJ delay in turning over evidence

Trump Admin Stands Firm After Jesus-Centric Christmas Messages Spark Media Freak-Out

Trump tears up Obama-era Latin American policy with renewal of Monroe Doctrine

Tennessee officers rescue woman considering jumping from bridge on day after Christmas

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.”