(National Review) Republican lawmakers returned to the Oregon Senate on Thursday, ending a six-week walkout after reaching out to Democrats on new language for measures on abortion, gender transition treatments, and gun rights.
For more than a month Republican lawmakers have refused to show up to work as part of a boycott of a series of bills proposed by Democrats, which they say are too extreme. The move prevented the state Senate from meeting the two-thirds quorum required to pass the legislation.
Around abortion, Democrats first proposed allowing abortionists to provide their services regardless of a patient’s age, without even having to inform the parents of a minor in many cases. The new compromise language would allow an abortionist not to notify the parents of patients under 15 if they believe it is not in that patient’s best interest to notify the parents, but only if the other medical providers. The provider will not require a second opinion in cases where telling a parent or guardian could lead to patient abuse or neglect.
The new agreement also would see the removal of language about expanding abortion and contraception on college campuses and in rural parts of the state.
However, the bill would still codify abortion access in the state and protect caregivers from other state laws that restrict abortion or gender transition treatment. It would also require insurance providers to cover certain gender reassignment procedures, including facial hair removal.
After the walkout, the longest in state history, Republicans also persuaded Democrats to agree to drop some amendments to a gun-control bill that would have raised the purchase age for semiautomatic rifles from 18 to 21, and that would allow cities and counties to restrict certain concealed carry rights. The bill would still criminalize the manufacture or transfer of so-called “ghost” guns that cannot be traced.
Democrats also agreed to stop a proposed constitutional amendment to guarantee the right to same-sex marriage, abortion, and gender transition treatment.
Republicans celebrated the concessions — despite the fact that the walkout could disqualify ten of the boycotters from running for re-election under a ballot measure passed last year.
“Senate Republicans and Independents have stood up as the last line of defense for parental rights and the rule of law,” Senate Republican leader Tim Knopp said in a statement. “I am extremely proud of their steadfast determination to give their constituents a long overdue seat at the table.”
A measure on the 2022 ballot could bar lawmakers with 10 or more unexcused absences from running for re-election. “An entire group of lawmakers can’t come back to this building,” said Democratic Senate president Rob Wagner.
Knopp and others said they would bring a legal challenge against the ballot measure, according to the The Oregonian newspaper.
Democrats filed new versions of the agreed-upon measures Thursday and the Senate passed the bills shortly thereafter. The revised bills will return to the House before heading to Democratic governor Tina Kotek’s desk.
“I am encouraged that we have reached an agreement that will allow us to finish the important work that Oregonians sent us here to do,” Wagner said.
State lawmakers are on time to pass hundreds of bills stalled in the Senate during the boycott, including the state budget. The legislative session ends June 25, though the governor can bring lawmakers back for a special session to pass the budget, if necessary.
Editor’s Note: This article was published on National Review and reprinted here with permission.
