Oregon House Republicans stage walkout as gas tax election, gun control votes near
Republicans began boycotting the House floor Monday afternoon, shortly after the Oregon Senate sent their chamber a controversial bill that would reschedule a referendum on transportation tax and fee increases from November to May.
“Today, House Republicans have determined it is best for us to walk out of the building until the majority party will begin to work with us on this gas tax referral,” Rep. Greg Smith, R-Heppner, said in a Monday video posted to social media, standing under an umbrella at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial next to the building.
Another Republican who opposes the tax increases, Rep. Ed Diehl, R-Scio, confirmed his caucus would not be returning to the chamber ahead of an afternoon session where lawmakers were poised to vote on legislation seeking to bolster the rollout of the voter-approved 2022 gun control law, Measure 114, which has since been tied up in court challenges.
The quorum-denying announcement coincided with a scathing press release issued by House Republicans, who said they were pausing deliberations on the House floor after House Democrats moved to appoint a replacement for Rep. Jason Kropf, a Democrat from Bend and former chair of the House Committee on Conduct who has spearheaded gun control legislation.
https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2026/02/23/oregon-house-republicans-stage-walkout-as-gas-tax-election-gun-control-votes-near/