Republican lawmaker suggests he would shoot state troopers if sent to get him for climate vote

by Chris Mills Rodrigo - 06/20/19 2:07 PM ET

Oregon state Sen. Brian Boquist (R) on Wednesday suggested that he would shoot state troopers if Gov. Kate Brown (D) sends them to round-up Republican lawmakers denying Democrats the quorum to vote on a climate bill.

“This is what I told the superintendent,” Boquist said, referring to OSP Superintendent Travis Hampton. “Send bachelors and come heavily armed. I’m not going to be a political prisoner in the state of Oregon. It’s just that simple.”

Oregon state senator @BrianBoquistGOP said if R’s walk out to stop a vote on Cap and Trade and @OregonGovBrown sends state police to bring him back, they should be single and well armed. Your take? pic.twitter.com/Fcu8NXXl8h

— Pat Dooris (@PatDooris) June 19, 2019

Oregon is set to pass a new climate bill through the Democratic-controlled state legislature despite objections from the GOP.

{mosads}Senate Republican Leader Herman Baertschiger Jr. on Tuesday said that his caucus was “prepared to take actions” to prevent the bill from passing, according to The Oregonian, eschewing democratic norms.

Although Democrats hold a supermajority in the state Senate, they are unable to vote on the measure if a certain number of the chamber’s 20 Republicans don’t show up for votes.

Brown hinted Wednesday that state troopers might be sent to round-up the uncooperative lawmakers, saying in a statement that she is “in close communication with Oregon State Police.”

Boquist’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on his remarks.