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.

Thune-aligned groups unleash historic war chest to defend Senate majority: ‘Winning message’

AI’s massive appetite for power, water ignites fight in high-stakes Texas Senate race

Linda McMahon vows crackdown on teachers sexually harassing students: ‘Must end’

Enes Kanter Freedom ejected from WNBA game after courtside confrontation with WNBA player

Suspect in deaths of 5 found dead after cops uncover grim scene at rural property outside Portland

Lindsay Clancy’s three child victims forgotten amid crowds of support: mother of six

College grad reportedly dies in Six Flags roller coaster incident as family sues theme park

California dad paralyzed from neck down after diving into ocean to rescue child

City in Anti-2A State Has 7 Times the Murders of Cities in State That Respects Gun Rights

House Ethics Committee Opens Investigation Into Democrat Rep Jimmy Gomez For Sexual Misconduct

Harvard Still Employs Professor Whose Emails with Epstein Mentioned Spies And Torture

WATCH: Young bear takes rough tumble from Denver tree after wildlife officers tranquilize it

The Green New Deal Is Back: Its Next Target – AI

American Airlines flight lands safely after laptop battery catches fire on board; passenger injured

Jury Slaps Down Burglar’s $10M Suit Against Urine-Tossing Business Owner Who Shot Him

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.”