PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — A group of Oregon Republican state senators filed suit in federal court claiming their walkout was political speech and protected by the first amendment.
The judge denied that claim on Wednesday, December 13.
The group walked out of the senate before the chamber voted on bills targeting reproductive rights and gun control.
“They walked out because they felt that the Democrats were not consulting with them," said political expert Jim Moore.
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That’s where they ran into problems with Measure 113, which says that legislators can't run for reelection if they have more than ten unexcused absences.
“Judge Aiken, the federal judge, said no it’s not because your free speech rights are precluded because you're part of this body and your absence made it impossible for that body to function,” said Moore.
Even though they lost in federal court, they still have a case before the Oregon Supreme Court, which focuses more on the specific language of Measure 113.
The senators arguing the constitutional amendment, as written, doesn’t bar them from running for reelection next year.
“The final decision, either the Republicans will be able to run for reelection, or they won’t. And the second part of that is every one of those Republicans who will run for reelection, has already designated who they want their substitute to be,” said Moore.
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Federal judge says Measure 113 does not bar freedom of speech - KATU
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