As ten Republican Oregon State Senators have reached the ten day limit on the Oregon Constitution's limit for unexcused absences that forbids them from holding office in the next term, Senate President Rob Wagner has taken to the floor to describe the crisis.

Article IV, Section 15 of the Oregon Constitution says:

Punishment and expulsion of members. Either house may punish its members for disorderly behavior, and may with the concurrence of two thirds, expel a member; but not a second time for the same cause. Failure to attend, without permission or excuse, ten or more legislative floor sessions called to transact business during a regular or special legislative session shall be deemed disorderly behavior and shall disqualify the member from holding office as a Senator or Representative for the term following the election after the member's current term is completed.

The second sentence in that section was amended to the Oregon Constitution by the voters in 2022. Democratic legislators proposed it as an amendment to the Oregon Constitution for the purpose of removing a strategic tool used by the minority Republicans.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

Following his announcement of the lack of a quorum, Senate President Wagner gave a short speech berating the missing Republican Senators, saying,

"Today is another extremely challenging day for Oregon...Certain Senators continue to disrespect our democracy...It has been made clear: This walkout is about shutting down debate on this floor and stopping bills that the people of Oregon say they want. Chief among them is our bill to protect access to reproductive health care."

Republican Senators David Brock Smith (R-Port Orford) and Dick Anderson (R-Lincoln City) have not been participating in the walkout. Senator Fred Girod (R-Lyons) is not yet at the ten day threshold because he has been excused for medical reasons.

Oregon Firearms Federation Director Kevin Starrett, saw this moment as a victory for Republicans noting, "The Democrats love to drone on about the rights of minorities and pat themselves on the back for their demands for “equity and inclusion.” But in the end, they are transparent frauds. The far left “OPB” was right. The Democrats, in their zeal for retribution, screwed up. They now have zero leverage. The Senate Republicans have demonstrated amazing courage and selflessness and now the Democrats are wetting themselves."

Starrett supports the walkout, as there is anti-firearms legislation pending, which would not pass if the walkout were to continue.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2023-05-19 09:50:20

Last Update: 2023-05-19 11:05:29