Salem, OR. — Republican members of the Oregon House of Representatives boycotted today’s legislative session, citing what they describe as “wholly inappropriate behavior” by Sen. Chris Gorsek and serious procedural concerns surrounding House Bill 2025, a $15.5 billion transportation funding package.
In a joint statement released Monday, the lawmakers said they are protesting Gorsek’s conduct during a June 21 Joint Committee on Transportation Reinvestment hearing. According to the statement, Gorsek, who co-chairs the committee, interrupted Rep. Shelly Boshart Davis (R-Albany) while she was speaking against the bill, shouted at her, and refused to allow her to finish her remarks. Republicans said the incident reflects “misconduct and overreach of authority.”
On Friday Right Now Oregon reported on the incident describing Gorsek’s actions as both verbally and physically aggressive, including pointing a finger at Rep. Boshart Davis, raising his voice, and appearing to lunge her direction.
House Republicans also objected to the broader handling of HB 2025. The Friday hearing began more than 90 minutes late after Senate President Rob Wagner reportedly removed a Democrat committee member who had pledged to vote against the bill. The hearing had already been cancelled and rescheduled twice prior to that.
During the rescheduled meeting, legislators were presented with a new cost estimate for the bill: $15.5 billion. That figure, which Republicans say was not shared with the public during the bill’s prior hearings, would make it the largest tax increase in Oregon history.
“The dysfunction in the legislature has become a disgrace. Silencing opposition, ejecting a dissenting Democrat from the committee, and hiding cost estimates until the last minute is not how democracy is supposed to work,” the Republican statement read. “Friday’s spectacle laid bare the dysfunction in Salem. The public deserves better than rushed, closed-door deal-making, silencing dissent, and shouting down legislators.”
HB 2025 now moves to the House floor. Republicans argue the bill is advancing without a fair hearing, transparent cost analysis, or adequate public input.
The boycott was led by Reps. Court Boice (R-District 1), Virgle Osborne (R-District 2), Dwayne Yunker (R-District 3), Alek Skarlatos (R-District 4), Boomer Wright (R-District 9), Darin Harbick (R-District 12), and Ed Diehl (R-District 17). Their full statement can be found here:
Watch the full clip of Rep. Boshart Davis’ statement and Senator Gorsek’s interruption:
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