Oregon senator walkout: 'patriot' groups vow to protect Republicans who fled state

Members of rightwing “patriot movement” groups have vowed to protect Republican senators in Oregon who have walked out of the state legislature in order to try and block the passage of climate legislation.

The move by the state senators – some of whom are believed to have fled to neighboring Idaho – was aimed at denying Democrats a quorum for passing landmark climate legislation. The proposed new Oregon law resembles California’s sweeping new “cap and trade” legislation.

After Oregon’s governor authorized state police to bring the 11 Republican senators back to the state house rightwing groups have said they will rally to their defense – raising the prospect of a potentially dangerous confrontation.

Figures aligned with the “patriot movement” group of organizations offered assistance to the rogue senators, though it was not immediately clear if this cooperation was welcomed by them.

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