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.

Lindsay Clancy Fangirls Push Child Killer’s GoFundMe Total to Staggering $1.1M Following Mistrial

Taxpayers Footed the Bill for Nearly $500M in Food Stamps at California Fast Food Joints

Judge allows ‘homewrecker’ lawsuit against former Sen Kyrsten Sinema to move forward

Detransitioner takes malpractice fight to appeals court after North Carolina law change

Trump weighs in on Lindsay Clancy murder trial dubbed ‘kangaroo court’ by GOP leaders

Here Comes the Bride – In Water Nearly Up to Her Waist

Arizona voter-law fight reaches SCOTUS as election groups warn ‘absurd’ consequence could ensue

Dunkin’ Opened a Drive-Thru Lane Just for Dogs — And It Was Pure Joy

Well-connected Dem operative learns fate after FBI busts him in child sex abuse sting

California McDonald’s Shootout Turns Deadly as Police Arrive: Turns Out the Perpetrator Was an Employee

How Stepdad Firefighter Learned of 911 Call in Most Painful Way Possible

Ex-Fetterman staffers promise more damaging details after blistering report: ‘Tip of the iceberg’

NJ mayor demands sanctuary policy rollback after baby killed in crash allegedly involving illegal immigrant

Patrick Clancy speaks out after hung jury in Lindsay Clancy case, addresses prospect of another trial

‘Black widow’ allegedly attempted to murder romantic partner, 69, she met online

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.”