![]() ![]() That conflict came to a head in recent weeks as Democrats advanced bills creating new gun regulations and adding protections for abortion and gender-affirming care. If any lawmaker receives 10 or more unexcused absences in the session, they cannot run for reelection.īut some Republican senators have insisted for months they were willing to test the new law if Democrats pressed forward with an agenda they could not support. ![]() Voters last year approved a statewide ballot measure that ensures stiff penalties if the minority party participates in a walkout. On one level, the latest maneuver is surprising. “Colleagues, a quorum is not present for the proceedings of the Senate,” said Senate President Rob Wagner, D-Lake Oswego, after Democrats had the chamber’s sergeant at arms search the Capitol for missing lawmakers. ![]() At the same time, Republicans filed suit against Democrats in a Marion County court, asking a judge to block the majority party from passing a contentious bill touching on abortion. On Wednesday, Republicans signaled their ongoing displeasure with bills Democrats are prioritizing this year by walking away from the Capitol, denying the Senate the 20-member quorum necessary to conduct business. Oregon Republicans have become quite skilled at exploiting arcane sections of the state’s statutes and constitution to slow the legislative process to a snail’s pace. ![]() Click the player above to hear OPB politics reporter Lauren Dake discuss the history of legislative walkouts, why Senate Republicans say they are boycotting the Capitol and much more. ![]()
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