Oregon lawmakers weigh in on deal that’s ended 6-week walkout by Republican senators
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Here are some of the initial news releases and statements out of Salem on the deal that brought boycotting Senate Republicans back into the chambers:
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From Senate Republican Leader:
OREGONIANS WIN: Republicans and Independents Protect the Rule of Law and Parental Rights, Hold the Majority Accountable
SALEM, Ore. – Today, a quorum was reached on the Senate floor after a six-week-long peaceful, constitutional protest. This was the result of countless hours of good-faith negotiations and true bipartisanship after weeks of nothing but the contrary.
“Senate Republicans and Independents stood firm as the last line of defense for parental rights and the rule of law. I am incredibly proud of their steadfast determination to give their constituents a long-overdue seat at the table. We have said from the very beginning that we cannot allow the Senate to operate in an unlawful, uncompromising, and unconstitutional manner. We repeatedly urged Democrat leaders to put the critical needs of all Oregonians first instead of prioritizing an extreme agenda that does nothing but divide us. I am pleased to say that we were able to hold the Democrat Majority accountable and accomplish all these things. We achieved constitutional, lawful bipartisanship. And parental rights were restored,” said Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp (R-Bend).
“Though Democrats hold a slim majority, it is critically important that the voices of all Oregonians are heard in this process. We knew the risk we were taking, but we feel our challenge to Measure 113’s constitutionality is strong. Some of our colleagues may disagree, but that is a battle for another day. Today, we are happy to deliver this win for Oregonians,” said Senator Lynn Findley (R-Vale).
Offices of Senate President and House Speaker:
Legislative Leaders Announce Agreement to Complete People's Work, End Senate Republican Walkout
SALEM – Today, the Senate President and House Speaker are announcing an agreement for the Legislature to complete the people's work and bring Senate Republicans back from the longest walkout in state history. Starting this morning, June 15, hundreds of bills and budgets that will improve the lives of Oregonians across the state will now continue through the regular process.
"I'm encouraged that we were able to come to an agreement that will allow us to finish the important work Oregonians sent us here to accomplish. We have achieved major bipartisan victories already this session, and I expect that to continue now that we have returned to the floor," said Senate President Rob Wagner (D-Lake Oswego). "I am grateful for all the senators who listened to each other and sought an end to this walkout while protecting Oregon priorities and values."
Senate Republicans have agreed to provide a quorum for the rest of the 2023 Legislative Session.
The Legislature is set to make key investments in K-12 schools, drought and water security, rural infrastructure and economic development, public safety and accountability, public defense, higher education, Oregon’s first-ever state-based child tax credit, behavioral health, climate, and more. These packages now have a path forward after today’s agreement.
During dozens of hours of negotiations over the past week, legislative leaders were able to reach an agreement that preserved critical legislation without sacrificing Oregon values. As part of that agreement:
- House Bill 2002 will receive a vote after being clarified to ensure the bill affirms standard abortion care that has been in place for 50 years under Roe v. Wade,but was jeopardized by the Dobbs decision. It will establish provider protections against anti-abortion and anti-transgender laws in other states and require that health insurance covers medically necessary gender-affirming care.
- House Bill 2005 will receive a vote as it was introduced to make our communities safer by banning untraceable ghost guns. A workgroup will be established to study policy solutions to gun violence and suicide prevention and $10 million will be invested in the Community Violence Prevention program.
- Senate Joint Resolution 33 and Senate Bill 27 will be referred back to committee and conversations on how to enshrine Oregon values in our Constitution will continue in the interim.
Through these negotiations, legislative leaders were also able to secure agreements on a variety of other legislation, including consideration of:
- House Joint Resolution 16 would give Oregon voters the opportunity to amend the state Constitution to give the Legislature the power to hold statewide elected officials accountable via impeachment. This change would align Oregon with every other state in the country.
- House Bill 2757 would substantively fund 9-8-8, the national suicide prevention hotline number launched in Oregon in summer 2022. This hotline is a critical resource for Oregonians experiencing mental health crises. Implementing the full 988 architecture will ensure access and quick response for communities across the state.
"On opening day, the House set out clear priorities to move Oregon forward. We promised to address the housing crisis, prioritize good-paying jobs through the Oregon CHIPS Act, ensure our kids and educators have the resources they need to succeed in school, invest in public safety and accountability to make our communities safer, and protect access to reproductive healthcare," said House Speaker Dan Rayfield (D-Corvallis). "This agreement sets us up for the final steps of delivering on these commitments we made from day one."
All legislative caucuses and offices have committed to this agreement.
Oregon House Republican Caucus:
Negotiations Lead to Victory for Oregonians’ Parental Rights, Protections for Law Abiding Gun Owners, Accountability for the Majority Party
SALEM, OR – Today, after a six-week-long protest by Senate Republicans, quorum was reached on the Senate floor. This comes after weeks of negotiations and bipartisan discussions about how to benefit all Oregonians.
“Today is a victory for Oregonian’s parental rights and law-abiding gun owners. After months of being promised a bipartisan session, Democrats chose to prioritize a partisan and extreme agenda. Republicans held the line and were able to amend the worst parts of House Bill 2002 and the Democrats Omnibus Gun Bill, House Bill 2005. I appreciated working with Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp throughout this process to ensure better outcomes for all Oregonians,” said House Republican Leader Vikki Breese-Iverson (R-Prineville). “This stalemate could have been prevented from the beginning. When both sides of the aisle communicate in good faith, extreme measures do not have to be taken. House Republicans have remained committed to advancing bipartisan budgets and legislation and will continue to do so in the remaining 10 days of the Legislative Session.”
The main points of emphasis within the framework includes the following:
- Protects parental rights by striking large portions of House Bill 2002 and Senate Joint Resolution 33 in its entirety.
- Defends the 2nd Amendment rights of law-abiding gun owners by striking large portions of House Bill 2005 and all of Senate Bill 348 and Senate Bill 393.
- Prioritizes legislation that will:
- Exempt small farming, ranching, and timber families from the Oregon Estate Tax. (Senate Bill 498)
- Give impeachment power of statewide elected Executive Branch officials to the House of Representatives, and the power to try impeachments in the Senate. Oregon is currently the only state in the nation without such a procedure. (House Joint Resolution 16)
- Ensures that bill summaries will be redrafted to comply with House Rules, Senate Rules, Oregon statute, and the Oregon Constitution.
