Absent Oregon senators to be fined for walkout over abortion, gender-affirming care bill

Democrats in the Oregon Senate voted Thursday to begin fining absent Oregon senators $325 for every day a quorum is not reached.

Only two Republican senators were present again when the Senate convened Thursday morning: Sen. Dick Anderson, R-Lincoln City, and Sen. David Brock Smith, R-Port Orford. Senate Republicans and an Independent began a walkout May 3 that has halted all business for now five weeks.

The walkout — which Republicans first claimed to be about bill readability — has been centered around House Bill 2002. The bill clarifies state law to allow minors under the age of 15 to have an abortion without parental consent, requires insurance to cover gender-affirming care, and adds protections to healthcare providers who perform abortions.

Quick read: Oregon Republicans regularly use walkouts as leverage. Here's what it has accomplished

In a statement Wednesday, Senate Republican leader Tim Knopp, R-Bend, said Democrats are pushing an agenda "that is unlawful, uncompromising, and unconstitutional."

On Thursday, after roll call confirmed the walkout would continue another day, Senate Majority Leader Sen. Kate Lieber, D-Portland, made the request to compel missing lawmakers to return to work and impose a $325 daily fine starting June 5 for every day quorum is not reached.

The number represents members' daily rate of salary, per diem and benefits, which absent members have still collected on days they are absent from floor sessions. Some of those absent from floor sessions have still been at the Capitol, attending committee hearings and conducting other legislative meetings and business.

Earlier in the meeting Lieber gave emotional remarks in recognition of the start of Pride Month.

"Pride is about celebrating Oregon because Oregon is a beacon of hope," she said.

Oregon, she added, continues to push the boundaries for all those people not seen and heard even as other states endanger trans youth and LGBTQ people. Oregon must continue pushing those boundaries, she said.

The request to compel attendance and impose fines passed 16-2 with both Republicans present voting against it.

Senate President Rob Wagner, D-Lake Oswego, also gave an impassioned speech urging an end to the walkout. The first three months of the session were marked by "incredible accomplishments" for Oregonians and collaboration among lawmakers, he said. A huge stack of bills is waiting to be debated and voted on.

"Our voters demand it. Our constitution requires it," he added. "A minority of members are blocking the will of the people in opposition to legislation they personally don't like."

Wagner said Democrats including Gov. Tina Kotek have held "lengthy" negotiations to help broker a deal with Senate Republicans. He acknowledged the statement from Kotek on Wednesday outlining how her negotiations had reached an impasse.

In a meeting with reporters Thursday, Wagner said he couldn't remember when he and Knopp last met in person. The two have a standing weekly meeting that Knopp canceled last week, according to Wagner.

"We have continued to send the invitation and that door is open," Wagner said.

During his speech, he recalled words from former Senate President Peter Courtney in 2019 when he similarly compelled attendance and vowed to fine missing lawmakers $500 a day and also requested assistance from state police.

Courtney made the move the day after Republicans walked out. Reaching that point has taken nearly a month in this time.

It's a difference Wagner recognized. Leaders thought they would be presented "with an authentic framework" to move forward and that Republican members would come in good faith, he said.

"We didn't feel like that happened. So, I'm really hoping that this actually does get people back ... talking about what the real issues are. What are the additive things that we can do for their districts or for people across the state that are gonna get people back just to show up to the floor, to debate the bills that are in front of the Legislature," Wagner said.

At least two senators would have to return Monday for the chamber to reach quorum. If that does not happen, invoices will be sent with the daily fine. When exactly those invoices would be sent was still unclear.

According to Wagner's office, the invoices would be sent by the Legislative Assembly and failure to pay and payment guidelines will follow payment of any invoice or debt collection under state law.

Knopp released a statement after the vote.

"Senate Republicans don’t feel compelled to entertain his political theater. In fact, we suggest President Wagner pay our fines since it is his behavior that galvanized our protest," Knopp said in the statement.

Dianne Lugo covers the Oregon Legislature and equity issues. Reach her at dlugo@statesmanjournal.com or on Twitter @DianneLugo

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon Senate walkout: Fines for absent lawmakers approved