GOP Oregon state senators boycott 2nd day, prevent quorum
FILE - The Oregon state Senate convenes for the first day of the legislative session on Jan. 17, 2023, at the state Capitol in Salem, Ore. Republicans were absent from the Oregon state Senate, Wednesday, May 3, 2023, heightening partisan tensions ahead of planned votes on abortion and gun control bills. (AP Photo/Claire Rush, File)
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Republican members of the Oregon Senate on Thursday extended their boycott of Senate proceedings into a second day, delaying action by the majority Democrats on bills on gun safety, abortion rights and gender-affirming health care.
The stayaway prevented a quorum, with Senate President Rob Wagner having to postpone the planned opening of the Senate. Republican lawmakers have used walkouts in the past, but this time — if they continue to stay away — they’ll be testing a new law that was passed overwhelmingly by Oregonians in a ballot measure last November.
That law bans lawmakers who have 10 or more unexcused absences from running for reelection.
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The Associated Press