Oregon Republicans Walked Out, Democrats Caved
Slate News
Slate Podcasts
4.5 • 6K Ratings
🗓️ 27 June 2019
⏱️ 19 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Republican state senators in Oregon are refusing to go to work. In a state legislature where Democrats hold a supermajority, the walkout is one way Republicans can put a halt to their rivals progressive agenda. With several statehouses throughout the nation being held by a supermajority, is walking out going to become more common?
Guest: Jason Wilson, journalist and columnist at The Guardian
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | So, Sergeant of Arm is reported to me that they have been unable to locate any state senators. |
| 0:14.5 | Last Thursday, the president of the Oregon State Senate looked exhausted. |
| 0:19.1 | He just called a session to order. when he realized all of the Republicans had simply refused to show up. |
| 0:26.3 | We are two senators short of being able to do any business on the floor of the Oregon State Senate. |
| 0:34.8 | He announced he'd be sending state police after the missing senators, that he'd be |
| 0:38.5 | finding them 500 bucks for every day they missed. And then he gave one of the strangest speeches |
| 0:45.3 | I have ever heard an elected official deliver. I beg and beseech my fellow legislators to come |
| 0:51.9 | to the floor. |
| 0:56.8 | I need you. |
| 0:59.0 | The legislature needs you. |
| 1:01.3 | The people of Oregon need you. |
| 1:04.9 | He's shaking his head like a rejected suitor at this point. |
| 1:07.1 | It looks like he could cry. If you're mad and you're angry, upset, take it out on me. |
| 1:12.7 | Say things about me. |
| 1:14.8 | Come at me. |
| 1:17.9 | Don't do this to people of Oregon. |
| 1:19.8 | Don't do this to this branch. |
| 1:22.5 | You're too good. |
| 1:23.6 | You've been chosen. |
| 1:26.3 | I'm begging you to come back. |
| 1:29.9 | I don't want to send the state, please. |
| 1:31.6 | Are you, I, it's the word, I don't, I don't. |
... |
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