Sen. Knopp: Weekend Negotiations Were Not Done In Good Faith

By Oregon Senate Republicans

Weekend negotiations between Democrat and Republican leaders failed to produce a legitimate agreement. Today, all Senate Republicans protested the Senate floor session in solidarity with the three members who reached 10 unexcused absences.

“I conveyed in discussions over the weekend that Senate Republicans will end their protest to pass substantially bipartisan budgets and bills that are lawful and constitutional and that will benefit all Oregonians,” said Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp (R-Bend). “Democrats are instead using their slim majority to justify moving forward with an extreme, unlawful, and unconstitutional agenda. Democrat leadership offered no solutions to rectify the constitutional and legal dilemma we raised and are instead aiding and abetting a culture of corruption.”

Yesterday, the Oregonian Editorial Board wrote:

“But as a general rule, the state should not be giving children an avenue for pulling away from parents – their key support system – in such a serious situation, especially since the state won’t be sticking around to help that child afterwards. While Democrats cast this bill as if it keeps government out of patients’ medical decisions, in reality, it helps keep parents out of their kids’ lives.”

“If Democrats thought we would facilitate an agenda that intentionally removes the rights of parents, they were seriously mistaken. Democrats have gone too far,” said Deputy Leader Daniel Bonham (R-The Dalles), who reached the 10-absence threshold.

“Senate Republicans are united in defending Oregonians from the culture of corruption that has permeated Democrat politicians like former Secretary of State Shemia Fagan and Senate President Rob Wagner. We are simply asking for lawful bills, a bipartisan approach, and a transparent process. Let it be abundantly clear: this is just the beginning of the fight,” concluded Knopp.