Oregon GOP Senators Extend Walkout to 5th Day

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — The Oregon Senate is again unable to conduct business because of a Republican boycott of the Legislature over major climate change legislation that is entering its fifth day.

Senate President Peter Courtney said Monday that there were not enough Senators on the floor to formally go through with a vote.

Republicans fled the Capitol last week to deny the majority Democrats a vote for the climate bill. The measure is intended to reduce fossil fuel emissions through a cap on carbon.

The Capitol closed Saturday on the recommendation of State Police after anti-government groups threatened to join a protest planned inside the building. (Previously, Gov. Kate Brown had said she would use Oregon State Police to find and apprehend legislators who did not report to work, and Sen. Brian Boquist, R-Dallas, said police should "send bachelors and come heavily armed.") The threat never materialized and less than 100 protesters showed over the weekend. 

Senate Minority Leader Herman Baertschiger says that Republicans "continue to stand firm" in their walkout.