Oregon Republicans shut down state Senate and run away to block climate bill

"Republican state senators in Oregon fled the state capitol on Monday in a stunt intended to derail the passage of a climate change bill supported by a majority of lawmakers for the second time in eight months.

Oregon requires two-thirds of the state Senate's members to be present for a quorum, without which the chamber cannot vote on bills. Eleven of the 12 Republican senators fled the state capitol in Salem on Monday to deny the Democratic supermajority a quorum to prevent a vote on a bill to cap greenhouse gas emissions that was approved by the budget committee earlier in the day, The Oregonian reported. The 11 Republicans who walked out represent just 36% of the state's population, according to the outlet."

The cap-and-trade bill would impose a cap on carbon dioxide emissions and require certain industries to obtain "emissions allowances" for every metric ton of emissions. The bill seeks to reduce emissions levels by 80% by 2050. Democrats made several "concessions" to Republicans after the last walkout, exempting entire regions of the state indefinitely. But Republicans still complained that other amendments they had proposed were voted down, according to The Oregonian.

Democrats dispatched the sergeants at arms to track down the missing Republicans who boycotted Monday's vote but were unable to track them down. Republicans similarly fled the state last summer to prevent a vote on the bill, with some hiding out in Idaho cabins.
Salon