Democratic Party of Oregon statement on Senate Republicans' latest walkout (Feb. 25)
By Carla "K.C." Hanson,
Democratic Party of Oregon chair
“Today, Oregon Republicans walked off the job and refused to show up to work — again. This marks the third consecutive year that Senate Republicans have walked out. 
“Let’s be clear: When Republicans walk out of the Legislature, they are walking out and turning their backs on Oregonians. At an urgent moment when Oregonians are looking to our elected officials to lead, Republicans have chosen once again to bring our democracy to a grinding halt.
“This refrain is all too familiar for Oregonians. But it has unfortunately become the sad reality for an Oregon GOP that now sees obstruction and sabotage as their preferred tactics, rather than working with their Democratic colleagues to solve the problems we all face as Oregonians.
“There is no shortage of critical and important work before the Oregon Legislature this session. Oregon Democrats have and will continue to show up and do the work to address the crises our state faces. But as we’ve seen time and time again over the last three years, Oregon Republicans would rather skip town and subvert our democracy than do the jobs they were elected to do.
“Enough. Oregonians are tired of this. These Republicans must be held responsible for their actions, and we will work tirelessly to hold them accountable at the ballot box."
​Majority Leader Rob Wagner statement on Senate Republicans walking out
SALEM – Today the Oregon Senate Republicans and Senator Brian Boquist (I-Dallas) walked out on their responsibility to serve their constituents when they refused to show up to work for today’s floor session. Senate Majority Leader Rob Wagner (D-Lake Oswego) released the following statement in response.
“Senate Republicans continue to sabotage Oregon’s democracy and undermine the will of voters. They have abdicated the oaths of office many of them took just weeks ago. They continue to accept pay, benefits and daily expenses from Oregon taxpayers all while completely obstructing the business before the Legislature – the people’s work.
“We have tremendously important work this session. Lives are at stake as we deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, and yet the Senate Republicans continue their anti-democratic walkout tactics.
“Senate Republicans walked out in 2019, again in 2020, and now they are walking out on 2021. Oregonians are exhausted by Senate Republicans’ irresponsible actions against democracy. The Senate Republicans are denying their constituents the representation they deserve to have in the Senate.
“This must stop. Oregonians will hold Senate Republicans accountable and responsible for walking off the job. There will be consequences for their breach of the public trust. We will advance new rules and laws that will deter future walkouts and provide accountability for all elected officials who refuse to show up for Oregonians.”

Health Care for All Oregon (HCAO), for which the Linn County Democratic Central Committee is a member organization, is calling for written testimony on  two critical bills.
The HOPE amendment (SJR 12) will establish the right (in principle) of all Oregonians to have access to health care regardless of finances. The other bill, SB 438, will allow the Task Force on Universal Healthcare to continue its critical work on designing such a system for another year.
"HCAO wants each of us to take a few minutes to briefly describe our experiences with the health care system that compel us to support universal health care, said Rick Staggenforg, chair of HCAO Albany. Testimony will go to  members of the committee that will decide whether these bills advance to the floor in this legislative session. 
Click here for  testimony submission forms. 
Testimony is due before the Senate Committee on Health Care hearings, which start at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24. Click here for Zoom access to the hearings.
For more information, call or text  Staggenborg, 541-217-8044.

  Linn and Benton County Democratic Precinct Committee People, Neighborhood Leaders and volunteers are invited to a walk-through of each step of our Young Non-Affiliated Voter Outreach Project, starting at 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, on Zoom.
    "We will go through the packet of materials and the on-line voter lists yo will each receive within the next two weeks, share sample personal messages for our post cards and watch role-play conversations between volunteers and young voters," said Nancy Greenman, Linn Neighborhood Leader coordinator and a member of the Linn-Benton Democrats' Organization Team. "As always, we'll answer questions and share resources that will be useful in this project."
     To receive Zoom access for the meeting, please contact Greenman.

Day 5: Saturday, Feb. 13
Analysis: Even after acquittal, Democratic managers and GOP senators
​ hope rebuke of Trump has lasting impact (CNN)
Seven Republicans cross party lines in 57-43 vote (CNN)
• Video: Day 5 of the Senate Impeachment Trial of Donald Trump (PBS NewsHour)
• Hear Schumer's full remarks after Trump's acquittal (CNN)
• McConnell blames Trump, but votes not guilty anyway (CNN)
• Pelosi calls out McConnell on his reasoning (CNN)

​Day 4: Friday, Feb. 12
Key GOP senators push lawyers to explain
ex-president's actions as Pence was endangered  (CNN)
• Five takeaways from Day 4 of the impeachment trial (CNN)
• New details about shouting match show Trump refused to call off rioters (CNN)
​• Video: Day 4 of the Senate Impeachment Trial of Donald Trump (PBS NewsHour)
Nikki Haley criticizes Trump and says he has no future in the GOP (CNN)

Day 3: Thursday, Feb. 11
• House impeachment managers rest their case  (CNN)
• Video: Day 3 of the Senate Impeachment Trial of Donald Trump  (PBS NewsHour)

Day 2: Wednesday, Feb. 10
• Key moments from the second day of Trump's impeachment trial  (CNN)
• Ellen Rosenblum: We can't ignore or ever forget what happened on Jan. 6 
• Video: Day 2 of the Senate Impeachment Trial of Donald Trump (PBS NewsHour)

Day 1: Tuesday, Feb. 9
• Senators, including six Republicans, vote that trial is constitutional  (CNN)
• Video: Day 1 of the Senate Impeachment Trial of Donald Trump (PBS NewsHour)
• Raskin makes emotional appeal on Day 1 of impeachment trial  (CNN)
​• Opinion: This impeachment trial could surprise us  (CNN)​