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.

Danish PM Frederiksen resigns after lackluster election for Social Democrats, Moderates seek to wield power

Why CPAC has a golden opportunity to reestablish itself as the ‘go-to conservative conference’

Newsom’s Social Media Team Freaks, Glowingly Compares Candidate to ‘American Psycho’ Who Used Acid to Mutilate Woman

Illinois Gov Pritzker admits ‘real failures’ as slain Chicago student’s hometown pays tribute in lights

LA model and influencer charged with using dating apps to burglarize homes of elderly, wealthy victims

Israel funds front websites in attempt to push ChatGPT into promoting pro-war messaging

Chicago Mayor Who Said ‘We Cannot Jail Our Way Out of Violent Crime’ Proves We Can As Student Allegedly Murdered by Criminal Illegal

SEE IT: Travelers sound off as ICE agents deployed to airports as shutdown drags past 40 days

American Dennis Coyle lands in Texas after over a year in Taliban captivity

Maryland Dems mocked for prioritizing tampons in men’s bathrooms amid state deficit: ‘Nonsense’

US, Israeli officials insist Iran’s speaker is negotiating despite denials

Matt Mahan moves to boost sagging poll numbers in California free-for-all

Trump urges RNC chair’s wife to run for Congress, pledges endorsement: ‘RUN, SYDNEY, RUN!’

Rep. Jim Jordan eyes spy powers warrant debate after short-term extension of FISA Section 702

Chicago alderwoman apologizes for ‘wrong place at the wrong time’ comment on slain student

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.”