Hansell details GOP deal
By Terry Murry on Thursday, June 15th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
SALEM – Oregon Senate Republicans denying a quorum has ended. It will be back to normal Friday and legislators believe the 2023 session will end, as required by law, on June 25. Sen. Bill Hansell (R-Athena) said negotiators came to agreements on several sticking points with controversial legislation. That does not mean, however, that the GOP will vote yes on those bills.
“I’m pleased that the bills have been changed from something we couldn’t support to something that we can allow to move forward,” he said.
Hansell has been in Salem every day since the denial of quorum began, leaving the building only when the Senate was called into session. He did attend all his committee meetings, meet with constituents, and perform the other duties in his final term in the Senate.
He said that the gun bills were basically stripped of everything but outlawing the creation of ghost guns which have no serial numbers. That bill originally wanted to outlaw possession of guns by anyone younger than 18.
Another bill that Republicans would not support was that dealing with abortion and gender procedures. During the negotiations it was amended to state that all those aged 14 and younger must have parental consent for such procedures, which Hansell said stopped the state’s attempt to deny parental rights.
“We are now the first blue state to increase restrictions on abortions,” he said.
That measure also would have state-funded traveling clinics to perform abortions. Hansell said that was also deleted during negotiations.
The senator pointed out that many of his GOP peers surpassed the 10 unexcused absences that means they may not be able to run for reelection. He said the lawmakers felt the issues posed by extreme legislation from the Democrats were worth risking their political careers to fight.
