A standoff between Republican and Democratic Oregon state senators escalated on Friday after Governor Kate Brown (D) authorized state police to track down Republican lawmakers who have stalled a vote on carbon credit legislation by walking out and refusing to vote.
While Oregon Democrats have a rare 18 to 12 supermajority in the House and Senate, they cannot approve the bill without at least two Republicans present. After several days of heated debate between the two sides, eleven GOP members mutually agreed to boycott the vote.
Sen. Brian Boquist (R) didn't take too kindly to Brown's threat - telling a reporter he was prepared for a bloody standoff if state troopers show up for him. Boquist had previously told Brown that "hell is coming to visit you personally" if she went forward with the threat.
➡ "Send bachelors, and come heavily armed" (Article on zerohedge.com)
"Send bachelors, and come heavily armed; I’m not going to be a political prisoner in the state of Oregon, it’s just that simple."
All 11 of Oregon’s Republican state senators are currently on the lam, with some leaving for Idaho in an effort to deny the Democrat-controlled state senate a quorum to pass a cap-and-trade bill, reports the DAILY BEAST. ⬅
What makes the current standoff in Oregon unique is the offers of help from militias—and the threats by at least one of those lawmakers to shoot police himself.
One source inside the Oregon militia movement told The Daily Beast that their members were “willing to put their own lives in front of these senators’ lives.” The source claimed that dozens of armed militia members have “mobilized” to protect the state senators, and said there was potential for violence if law enforcement officials try to bring the senators back to Oregon. The source added that the militias would defend the Republicans “at any cost.”
“All of these people are armed,” the source said.
While Oregon Democrats have a rare 18 to 12 supermajority in the House and Senate, they cannot approve the bill without at least two Republicans present. After several days of heated debate between the two sides, eleven GOP members mutually agreed to boycott the vote.
Sen. Brian Boquist (R) didn't take too kindly to Brown's threat - telling a reporter he was prepared for a bloody standoff if state troopers show up for him. Boquist had previously told Brown that "hell is coming to visit you personally" if she went forward with the threat.
➡ "Send bachelors, and come heavily armed" (Article on zerohedge.com)
"Send bachelors, and come heavily armed; I’m not going to be a political prisoner in the state of Oregon, it’s just that simple."
State police, meanwhile, will have the ability to track down senators and force them into a patrol car to return to the capitol, though the agency promises to use "polite communication" and patience throughout the process.
If Boquist starts shooting, we imagine that could change rapidly.
All 11 of Oregon’s Republican state senators are currently on the lam, with some leaving for Idaho in an effort to deny the Democrat-controlled state senate a quorum to pass a cap-and-trade bill, reports the DAILY BEAST. ⬅
What makes the current standoff in Oregon unique is the offers of help from militias—and the threats by at least one of those lawmakers to shoot police himself.
One source inside the Oregon militia movement told The Daily Beast that their members were “willing to put their own lives in front of these senators’ lives.” The source claimed that dozens of armed militia members have “mobilized” to protect the state senators, and said there was potential for violence if law enforcement officials try to bring the senators back to Oregon. The source added that the militias would defend the Republicans “at any cost.”
“All of these people are armed,” the source said.
