Oregon Senate Republicans continue to hold strong to their protest blocking a radical pro-abortion bill that would allow girls as young as 10 to have abortions – or be coerced by an abuser – without their parents’ knowledge.
Their walk-out has continued for four weeks and is the longest in state history. On Wednesday, Gov. Tina Kotek, a pro-abortion Democrat, and state Republican leaders said negotiations have stalled because neither side will back down, KATU News reports.
Oregon Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp said they will continue to defend “parents’ sacred right to love and care for their child” through the end of the session.
“If Democrats want us to provide a quorum before June 25th, they must agree to follow Senate Rules, follow the law, and work to put forward constitutional, bipartisan bills that don’t violate parents’ sacred right to love and care for their child,” Knopp said in a statement Wednesday. “In the meantime, we will continue to work every day on behalf of the Oregonians we took an oath to represent.”
Since May 3, Republican and independent lawmakers have denied a quorum in the Oregon Senate and blocked action on the pro-abortion bill and other legislation. Senate rules require two thirds of lawmakers to be present to vote on legislation. Republican leaders said they will not return until June 25, the last day of the legislative session and enough time to pass the state budget.
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Their chief objection is state House Bill 2002B, which would deny parents’ rights by eliminating all age limits for abortion. In other words, abortion providers would be allowed to abort unborn babies on girls of any age without informing their parents. Only if the girl explicitly gives written permission would her parents be informed.
In April during a House committee meeting, an attorney for the Oregon Legislature confirmed “a minor of any age” – such as a 10-year-old girl — could have an abortion without her parents’ knowledge if the bill passes, according to a video shared by Oregon House Republicans.
“[This bill] allows a child of any age, without parental knowledge, to receive an abortion,” the Oregon Senate GOP said in May on Twitter. “This will increase the vulnerability of young girls to be sex-trafficked. … HB 2002B is nothing but an extreme attack on parents and children.”
ACTION ALERT: Contact Oregon Senate lawmakers and urge them to oppose this radical legislation.
On Wednesday, Gov. Kotek said Democrats offered “compromises” in meetings with Republican lawmakers, but she admitted that her party will not compromise on the abortion bill.
“After a week of productive conversations and continued attempts to work with the Senate Republican caucus to revive a number of their priorities, I am disappointed that Senator Knopp has made clear to me that there is not a path forward unless House Bill 2002 is substantially amended or dead. It is clear from my conversations that negotiating on House Bill 2002 is not an option,” Kotek said.
Knopp responded that Democrats’ pro-abortion agenda is “unlawful, uncompromising, and unconstitutional.” It’s also extremely unpopular with most voters. Polls consistently show strong public support for parental consent for minors.
For their protest, the pro-life lawmakers are risking punishment. A new state constitutional amendment imposes financial penalties on lawmakers for walking out and denying a quorum. It also prohibits lawmakers from running for re-election if they have at least 10 unexcused absences.
Since the walk-out began, 12 Republicans and one independent lawmaker have had at least 10 unexcused absences. The AP reports the political action committee Oregon’s 13 Constitutional Defense Fund recently hired a lawyer to defend them.
Democrats control the Oregon Legislature, and they repeatedly have blasted Republicans for their protest. In May, state Senate Majority Leader Kate Lieber, D-Beaverton, described the walk-out as “embarrassing” while portraying the radical pro-abortion bill as one that simply “protect[s] reproductive health freedom.”
Sponsored by state Rep. Rob Nosse, D-Portland, the wide-reaching legislation ends parental involvement laws for abortion, and eliminates the crime of “concealing the birth of an infant,” effectively shielding abortion providers who end the life of a baby who survives an abortion. Another provision forces public colleges and universities to provide dangerous abortion pills on campus.
Senate Republicans said the bill also would allow young children to have irreversible sex-change hormones and surgeries, covered by their parents’ insurance plans, without their parents being informed.
“It’s hard to comprehend how this kind of legislation is being defended by some in the legislature,” said Lois Anderson, executive director of Oregon Right to Life, after the bill passed the House.
Oregon has very few restrictions on abortion, and its governor has been working with leaders in Washington and California to expand elective abortions even more, including by devoting millions of taxpayer dollars to destroying unborn babies’ lives. Last year, the state legislature approved $15 million to pay for women in and out of state to travel for abortions and increase the number of abortion facilities in the state.
ACTION ALERT: Contact Oregon Senate lawmakers and urge them to oppose this radical legislation.
