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All but three Republicans in the Oregon state Senate have now made themselves ineligible to serve another term under a voter-approved state law intended to prevent walkouts.

Six Republican senators, including Senate Minority Leader Tim Knopp, R-Bend, hit their 10th unexcused absence on Thursday morning. Three other Republicans and an independent senator reached that threshold earlier this week, meaning one-third of the Senate is now barred from serving another term because of a constitutional amendment voters approved last year.

Republicans initially said the walkout stemmed from the Senate failing to comply with a state law that requires bill summaries to be written at an eighth-grade reading level, though theyve since acknowledged that theyre also protesting Democratic bills around abortion, gender-affirming care and guns.

On Thursday, Democrats all stood when called on for attendance and remained standing until after a somber-faced Senate sergeant at arms returned from a fruitless hunt for missing Republican senators around the building.

This walkout must end, said Senate President Rob Wagner, D-Lake Oswego. The people of Oregon desire it. Democracy demands it.

As they have on previous days, Republican senators showed up at the Capitol after Wagner conceded that they couldnt be found. Minutes after the floor session ended, Knopp walked into his office, where stacks of pink slips delivered by groups who wanted the walkout to end rested on a table behind an office manager.

Activists with a coalition of progressive groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union and Our Oregon, dropped off more pink slips, cake and happy retirement balloons at the Senate Republican office later in the morning.

Distraught Democrats huddled in a conference room off the floor for more than an hour after giving up on voting on bills. Senate Majority Leader Kate Lieber, D-Beaverton, told reporters after that meeting that she was sad because she enjoyed working with Republican colleagues who will be unable to serve.

Part of why Im so deeply saddened is because I really truly believe in democracy, and I do feel like Im watching with the front row seat a fracture in that democracy, Lieber said. No one gets everything they want in a democracy either. So when you have a minority who wants to veto the majority rule, it undermines the faith in democracy and the stability of our state.

Public sector unions and other Democratic groups succeeded in passing an amendment to the state constitution last year to prohibit any lawmaker with 10 unexcused absences during a session from serving in their next term.

Republicans contend that the new law violates the state constitution, and theyre raising funds to fight it in court. As of Thursday afternoon, their Oregons 13 Constitutional Defense Fund had reported raising just more than $1,200.

Six of the senators with 10 absences Knopp, independent Sen. Brian Boquist of Dallas and Republican Sens. Lynn Findley of Vale, Bill Hansell of Athena, Dennis Linthicum of Klamath Falls and Art Robinson of Cave Junction represent districts with elections in 2024.

Hansell announced his retirement earlier this year. Knopp said Thursday he needed to talk to his family and employer about running for re-election, but that he would do so if it were solely his choice. His Bend-based district voted overwhelmingly for Democratic President Joe Biden in 2020, and political analysts considered Knopps re-election a longshot before the walkout.

Republican Sens. Daniel Bonham of The Dalles, Cedric Hayden of Fall Creek, Kim Thatcher of Keizer and Suzanne Weber of Tillamook also have 10 absences, but their seats arent up for election until 2026. Both Thatcher and Weber represent swing districts.

Sen. Fred Girod, R-Stayton, has been excused for weeks for medical reasons, and Sens. Dick Anderson, R-Lincoln City, and David Brock Smith, R-Port Orford, have been on the floor. Anderson and Brock Smith are both up for election in 2024: Anderson in a coastal district that narrowly voted for Biden and Brock Smith in a conservative district in southwestern Oregon.

Wagner said he wont consider retroactively excusing absences if Republicans and Democrats reach an agreement. As of Thursday, the two parties had no plans to resume negotiations, with Wagner saying Democrats needed a day to collectively catch their breath and decide what to do.

Democrats will try to find at least one more Republican senator to join Anderson and Brock Smith on the floor and hope Sen. Chris Gorsek, D-Troutdale, returns soon from recovering from surgery, Wagner said.

Maybe now that theyre disqualified from running for re-election, theyll look to their district, theyll look to their service and say, I will come to the floor and debate, he said.

Knopp said he and other Republicans will return before the Legislature must adjourn on June 25, and theyll vote to clear procedural hurdles to make it possible to pass a budget. But Wagner said he wont allow that.

He went back and watched the speech Gov. Tina Kotek, then speaker of the House, gave in March 2020 when Republicans led by then-Minority Leader Christine Drazan, a Canby Republican who later ran against Kotek for governor, left the state for weeks to block a vote on a climate change bill.

Tina at the end of her floor speech said You dont get to come back with 12 hours left, Leader Drazan, and determine just the bills and the budgets that you want to vote, Wagner said. Thats not what democracy is. It just isnt, and so the same standard is going to apply here.

Lieber and Wagner said Knopp ultimately told them they needed to kill four bills: House Bill 2002, Senate Joint Resolution 33 and Senate Bill 27, all of which deal with abortion and transgender health care, as well as House Bill 2005, which would increase the minimum age to buy most firearms from 18 to 21 years old, ban untraceable firearms known as ghost guns and allow local government agencies to ban firearms in public buildings.

Knopp denied that he demanded the bills be killed, saying he thought they could be amended while declining to elaborate on what amendments he would propose.

The minoritys job is to hold the governing body accountable, and their job is to govern, Knopp said. I believe were doing our job.

Wagner left open the option of using other tools, including sending issuing subpoenas to compel senators to appear or asking Kotek to send Oregon State Police to bring them back to the floor, but he said hes not yet ready to do that.

Kotek on Wednesday said she would be willing to call lawmakers into a special session to pass a budget if the walkout persists. And she said she hadnt completely ruled out sending state troopers out to round up errant senators if needed.

Im not saying I wouldnt, she said. Im treating people with respect. Get back to work. I dont need to chase you down. Get back to work.

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One-third of Oregon Senate now ineligible for another term as Republican walkout continues Oregon Capital Chronicle - Oregon Capital Chronicle

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp of Bend acknowledged Thursday that he is now among 10 GOP senators who have accrued 10 or more unexcused absences due to the ongoing boycott, but again blasted Democratic Senate president Rob Wagner for what he called "arbitrary, capricious, and retaliatory actions."

Here's his statement, in full:

Senate Republicans are engaged in a peaceful, constitutional protest of the unlawful, uncompromising, and unconstitutional agenda the untrustworthy and deeply partisan Senate President has brought forward.

"We commit to Oregonians and our Democrat colleagues that we will return before the constitutional sine die to suspend readings and rules on lawful, substantially bipartisan budgets and bills.

"While Democrats are laser focused on the issues that do nothing but divide, we are focused on the real issues Oregonians care most about homelessness, affordable housing, public safety, cost of living, job creation, and fully-funded education. We are committed to getting the Peoples work done, not facilitating an extreme, unlawful, unconstitutional agenda.

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Knopp now among 10 Oregon Republican senators who face not being able to seek reelection - KTVZ

Bipartisan talks between top White House and Republican congressional officials over a deal to raise the debt limit ended without a breakthrough on Friday, capping a day of whiplash as negotiators seeking to avoid the first default in the nations history repeatedly started and ended discussions amid growing G.O.P. frustration.

Negotiations came to a halt on Friday morning after Republicans vented anger about discussions on spending caps, and Speaker Kevin McCarthy declared a pause to the talks. Just hours later, he announced Republicans return to the negotiating table, but the discussions ended after an hour on Friday night, and it was unclear when negotiators planned to meet again.

The series of abrupt turns reflected the unwieldy state of negotiations over a bipartisan deal to avert a debt default that could occur as soon as June 1, coupled with a mounting sense of urgency to find a resolution as Congress runs out of time to avoid the economic calamity that could follow.

By the end of the night, Mr. McCarthys top advisers were casting doubt on whether they could achieve a deal by the end of the weekend, a timeline the speaker had said on Thursday he saw a path to achieving.

Several outstanding issues remain in the negotiations, lawmakers said, but Republicans appeared particularly discouraged by what they said was White House officials refusal to budge on how strictly to cap federal spending.

Its very frustrating if they want to come into the room and think were going to spend more money next year than we did this year, Mr. McCarthy, a California Republican, said on Fox Business on Friday evening, as he announced that his deputies would return to the negotiating table. Thats not right, and thats not going to happen.

The bill that House Republicans passed last month would raise the nations borrowing limit into next year in exchange for freezing spending at last years levels for a decade which would lead to cuts of an average of 18 percent.

Weve got to get movement by the White House, and we dont have any movement, Mr. McCarthy said earlier on Friday, as he announced the initial pause in negotiations. He added: We cant be spending more money; we have to spend less than we spent the year before.

Mr. Biden was checking in regularly with negotiators from Hiroshima, Japan, where he was attending the annual meeting of the Group of 7 major industrial powers, but aides traveling with him sounded less optimistic about a deal in the coming days than they had a day earlier.

Theres no question we have serious differences, and this is going to continue to be a difficult conversation, Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, told reporters in Japan. Thats not lost on us. But the presidents team is going to continue to work hard toward a reasonable bipartisan solution that can pass the House and the Senate.

In a nod to growing complaints on the left, Ms. Jean-Pierre emphasized the need for both Republican and Democratic votes. And when pressed by reporters on the more measured tone, she insisted that the optimism continues to be there, while adding several times that a deal would depend on whether Mr. McCarthy will negotiate in good faith and that everyone should recognize that you dont get everything that you want.

Both Democratic and Republican leaders were facing pressure from their bases not to compromise.

Former President Donald J. Trump weighed in on Friday on his social media site, declaring that Republicans should not make a deal on the debt ceiling unless they got everything they wanted.

DO NOT FOLD!!! he wrote.

In a letter, liberal Democratic lawmakers renewed their calls for Mr. Biden to refuse to reward Republicans reckless refusal to raise the debt ceiling without preconditions, urging him instead to invoke the 14th Amendment to continue issuing new debt to pay bondholders, Social Security recipients, government employees and others.

Negotiators were at odds over a handful of issues, including the extent to which a possible deal would include tougher work requirements for social safety net programs a proposal that has drawn a backlash from progressive Democrats and the length of any debt limit extension.

Conservatives in the House G.O.P. conference had grown increasingly concerned in recent days that Mr. McCarthy would agree to a deal freezing spending at current levels, rather than at last years levels, and would not lock in the kind of spending cuts for which they have long agitated.

Time is running out for lawmakers to strike a deal, translate it into legislation and pass it through Congress for Mr. Bidens signature. Mr. McCarthy has promised his conference that he will give lawmakers 72 hours to read the bill before they vote on it, abiding by a rule his conference adopted at the beginning of the year.

Zolan Kanno-Youngs contributed reporting from Washington, and Peter Baker from Hiroshima, Japan.

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Whiplash Day of Debt Limit Talks Ends Without a Breakthrough - The New York Times

Santos claims 'witch-hunt' after facing fraud charges in New York court video George Santos

New York representative is subject of a privileged resolution, which would need two-thirds support to succeed

Democrats moved on Tuesday to expel George Santos from Congress.

The New York Republican won election in November last year but his rsum has been shown to be largely made up and his campaign finances and past behaviour, some allegedly criminal, have been scrutinised in tremendous detail.

Last week, federal prosecutors indicted Santos on multiple counts of wire fraud, money laundering, theft of public funds and lying to Congress. Appearing in court on Long Island, he pleaded not guilty and claimed to be the victim of a political witch hunt.

Now, House Democrats have triggered a political manoeuvre designed to force Republicans to either break with Santos or publicly vote to defend him.

To succeed, a privileged resolution introduced by Robert Garcia, a California Democrat, must attract two-thirds support in the House. The resolution could come to a vote within two days.

On Tuesday, Garcia told reporters: The Republicans in the House are actually going to have to go on record and make a decision about if theyre actually going to stand for truth and accountability, or if theyre going to stand with someone thats clearly a liar.

Some Republicans have said Santos should quit but as yet party leaders have not broken with him, saying he has a right to seek acquittal while representing his district.

Republicans control the House by just five seats and Democrats would be favoured to win Santoss seat should it fall vacant. In January, amid a far-right rebellion, Santos supported Kevin McCarthy through 15 votes for speaker.

Garcia also said Hakeem Jeffries of New York, the Democratic minority leader, was involved in the process.

McCarthy told reporters he would talk to Jeffries about referring the resolution to the House ethics committee, which he hoped would move rapidly despite rarely doing so or imposing heavy punishments.

Only five members of the House have ever been expelled. Three were kicked out for fighting for the Confederacy in the civil war. Two were expelled after being convicted of crimes.

The last, James Traficant of Ohio, was expelled in 2002. Like Santos, Traficant cut a somewhat picaresque path through the halls of power.

Reporting his death in 2014, the New York Times said Traficant was known for his colorful personality and wardrobe, his legislative theatrics and his wild mop of hair.

So it was something of a surprise when the hair turned out to be fake, a fact that was made clear when he had to remove his toupe during booking after his arrest on bribery and racketeering charges.

Traficant did not let his expulsion stop him running for re-election, as an independent and from federal custody in Pennsylvania. Though unsuccessful, he received more than 28,000 votes.

Santos has announced a run for re-election. McCarthy has said he does not support such a move.

On Tuesday, Garcia told MSNBC McCarthy had lost all control of his caucus. He needs Santos for key votes on the on the deficit, on the budget, and so hes been working with literally a liar and a huge fraudster in the Congress.

So now McCarthys going to actually have to make a choice, if he will support George Santos or if hes actually going to listen to the American people.

And so were gonna continue to push this as best possible. We think its absolutely the right approach. And weve given plenty of time to George Santos to resign. Weve been calling for his resignation for months and for months. Its time for him to do the right thing.

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George Santos: Democrats move to expel indicted Republican from Congress - The Guardian US

Opinion: If Rachel Mitchell had embraced the MAGA line, she would have lost. And the outcome for two Phoenix police officers would likely be far different.

Arizona Republicans should pay heed to what happened this week at the Maricopa County Attorneys Office.

Rachel Mitchell, the Republican elected to the job in 2022, announced she would not prosecute two Phoenix police officers who shot and killed a man who was hurling rocks at a patrol car and later at them.

Mitchell was in charge of the case because she did not run for office as a MAGA Republican.

She did not kiss the Trump ring. She did not climb into the Stop-the-Steal barrel and ride it over Fantasy Falls to crushing defeat, as did so many other Arizona Republicans.

No, she ran as a traditional Republican. And she won.

Consequently, Mitchell was not standing on the sidelines nursing her wounds and playing the victim this week to phantom schemes of election theft.

She was standing in the breach as protesters and an attorney pressing a wrongful-death claim demanded two officers be fired and hauled to prison for shooting and killing Ali Osman.

The 34-year-old Osman was not just tossing rocks on Sept. 24 near 19th and Glendale avenues. He was whipping them at full strength and at close range at lawmen.

It may be news to some people, but it is not news to cops that a hurled rock can kill them.

For you Republicans out there still enamored of Donald Trump, still willing to risk a fourth election cycle of Republican defeat to make him and other MAGA candidates the partys nominees in the 2024 general election, its time to consider the counterfactual.

What if Rachel Mitchell had lost?

What if she had campaigned in the red ball cap, as did Kari Lake and Abe Hamedeh and Blake Masters and Mark Finchem you know, the losers?

Heres what:

Julie Gunnigle, an attorney funded and groomed in the likeness of soft-on-crime, tough-on-cops Democratic prosecutors, would be your county attorney today.

Gunnigle was going to be the next George Gascn, who as Los Angeles district attorney is notorious for his gentle treatment of violent offenders.

She was going to be the next Chesa Boudin, the San Francisco DA who proved so felon-friendly that even the left-wing Bay Area could no longer abide him.

Gunnigle wore her contempt for cops like an imperial plume, flirting with defund-the-cop schemes and planning tribunals to investigate them.

Had Gunnigle won the county attorney job, there is high likelihood those two police officers would be facing a bleak future.

The Gunnigle who ran for office would likely have sympathized with the lawyer demanding $85 million for Osmans death and asserting that it is another disturbing example of the extreme indifference to human life continually demonstrated by the [Phoenix Police Department] and its officers."

On Wednesday, Mitchell stood her ground and said it was the rock-hurling Osman, in fact, who had shown extreme indifference to human life.

The rocks Osman was throwing posed a serious threat to every motorist and pedestrian in that area, Mitchell said.

Osman had a rock in his hand, ready to throw it directly at the officer when the officer made the decision to shoot. And that decision was a reasonable one based on the force that Mr. Osman had used against them and was continuing to use.

The left doesnt want to hear this, but police officers have to make split-second decisions that can determine whether they live or die or spend their next decades in prison.

Because they have the extraordinary powers to take people into custody or to take life in extreme circumstances, they face enormous scrutiny.

For Mitchell and Gunnigle: 'Who won in 2020?' is a trick question

We dont expect doctors and lawyers and teachers to wear body cameras. We expect that of cops.

On the flip side, because the personal risk police take on is enormous, we have created laws that ensure we dont crush every police officer who acts in good faith in incidents that turn tragic.

So Mitchell explained, The law does not require a person using deadly physical force to prove their conduct was justified. Rather, the law requires the state to prove the persons conduct was not justified under the law beyond a reasonable doubt.

Under Arizona law, the officers decision to shoot was justified, she said.

All across the United States, the American left has worked to demoralize and marginalize police officers. They have broad-brushed them as brutes and made their jobs a living hell.

Yes, it is good and right to call out police brutality when it happens. But it is wrong to stereotype a million American cops as rogues.

Democrats have elected district attorneys who despise police officers and coddle criminals. They want to bleed the nations police departments of resources as they stigmatize the men and women in uniform.

As a result, police work has become the dregs.

Officers are retiring early and few young people want to become cops. Police recruiting across the nation and in Phoenix is way down.

Criminals are turning department stores and pharmacies in our major cities into turnstiles for shoplifters. Big cities have stripped police officers of the authority to clean up loitering and vagrancy and are making Los Angeles and Portland and San Francisco and Seattle look like sprawling skid rows.

Last week, comedian Dave Chappelle took one good look at San Francisco and asked his audience there, What the f--- happened to this place?

Yall ... need a Batman!

In Maricopa County, we have a county attorney with the guts to defend police officers when the facts support them.

She is there because in 2022 she wasnt just another MAGA sheep headed to the slaughter. She won her election.

And when she won, so did we.

Phil Boas is an editorial columnist. He can be reached at phil.boas@arizonarepublic.com.

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Conservatives are lucky the Maricopa County attorney did not run as ... - The Arizona Republic