Oregon senators get a three-day break from floor sessions amid GOP-led walkout

Published 1:30 pm Thursday, May 11, 2023

Legislative leaders will have a three-day weekend to try to end the Republican-led walkout that has prevented the Senate from voting on bills for nine consecutive days.

The Senate on Thursday failed to reach the two-thirds quorum needed to conduct business. Eighteen senators were present and 12 were absent, nine of them unexcused. Senate President Rob Wagner, D-Lake Oswego, said the Senate would not meet again until Monday, a departure from last week when he scheduled weekend floor sessions after the walkout started.

“Happy Mother’s Day,” he told senators.

The three-day break gives Wagner and Senate Minority Leader Tim Knopp, R-Bend, a chance to work out differences before any senators rack up 10 unexcused absences. Legislators cannot qualify to run for reelection if they have 10 or more unexcused absences because of a voter-approved constitutional amendment that passed in 2022.

The gridlock has forced bills to pile up without a vote, as the House continues to meet uninterrupted. The Senate has not voted on proposals that impact housing, behavioral health and public schools, including budgets.

This week, Wagner and Knopp met on Wednesday and Thursday with other legislative leaders. They did not release any details about the meetings.

Knopp, who has had six unexcused absences, said in a statement Thursday that he had asked Wagner for a three-day break.

“It is my hope that this will give us time to work out a legitimate agreement that will benefit all Oregonians,” Knopp said. “I have communicated that I will be available over the weekend to have these critical discussions.”

Knopp told the Capital Chronicle that Republicans want 20 bills set aside, including on abortion, guns and transgender health care.

So far, three senators have nine absences: Republican Sens. Daniel Bonham, The Dalles, Dennis Linthicum of Klamath Falls and Independent Brian Boquist of Dallas.

Sen. Cedric Hayden, R-Fall Creek, was excused on Thursday to meet with the Legislature’s attorney who will investigate his complaint against Wagner. The Senate president denied Hayden’s request to take off time for a religious ceremony and help his wife take care of their disabled daughter.