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.

Trump’s spy chiefs put Republican leaders on the clock over ‘huge priority’ as power shift looms over Congress

The mistake newly-elected Dems admit they can’t afford to make with Trump after sweeping 2026 wins

Mamdani Set to Disband NYPD’s Counterterrorism and Protest Response Unit: Report

Fact Check: No, Guard Did Not Yell at Hegseth at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier – Just Watch Raw Video and Listen

Rubio’s next move? Lawyers eye speech of ‘visionary’ leader for 2028 clues after GOP’s midterm wipeout

Empire State Building climbers face deportation fears after attorney claims plea deal fell apart

Schumer’s Senate leadership fight intensifies as key progressive backs challenger and more top headlines

Tough Guy Viciously Attacks Family Over Christian Tract in Halloween Candy, Then Becomes Total Coward When Internet Tracks Him Down

Huge GOP election losses spur debates about populist economics

Jeffries shredded over Hegseth impeachment snafu as Dem jockeys for speaker’s gavel

Three-quarters of House members seeking statewide office lost

In Haiti, Bukele cracks down where UN failed

Pence leaves door open to 2028 White House run, issues stark warning to GOP after midterm disaster

Couple accused of killing registered sex offender in pre-planned stabbing in Arizona desert

Newsom reveals when he’ll decide on 2028 White House bid amid growing speculation

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.”