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.

What to know about Darline Graham Nordone, South Carolina’s newest senator

Breaking: Trump to Address the Nation This Week in Prime-Time Comments

Top economists and AI leaders warn of ‘unprecedented transformation’

AOC Hits Now Low, Demands Israel Release ‘Pediatrician,’ Turns Out He’s a Terrorist Colonel – So Was She Ignorant or a Terror Supporter?

Stephen Miller’s unlikely friendship with Lindsey Graham revealed in heartfelt White House tribute

Auto Journalist Swarmed by Cops After Flock Cameras Mistakenly Flag Car Theft: We ‘Live in a Surveillance State’

‘The halls of the Senate already feel empty’: Tearful Thune honors Lindsey Graham as sister takes his seat

Dem Rep Tried to Bait Israeli Authorities Into Confrontation with Him – Israeli Ambassador Has One Big Question

Driver accused of DUI survives astonishing 600-foot plunge down California cliff

Obama-appointed judge torches Trump admin in latest courtroom showdown, refers attorney for Bar review

Menlo College student accused of raping 12-year-old as prosecutors probe second victim

Family shattered after 3-time deported illegal immigrant allegedly blew through stop sign, roiling House race

Judge bars Trump from using IRS immunity deal to evade investigation over past tax filings

Breaking: Trump Reinstates Naval Blockade on Iran in Strait of Hormuz as Attacks Ramp Up

USMC flags candidate in Hegseth’s district as ‘incongruent with Marine Corps standards’

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.”