Oregon capitol shuts down amid standoff after militia threats

Citing what are reportedly credible threats from militia groups, Oregon's top lawmakers decided to shut down the state capitol on Friday.

The threats stem from a standoff in the state Senate between Republicans and Democrats over a cap-and-trade bill that would put a ceiling on greenhouse gas emissions. All 11 Senate Republicans fled the Oregon Capitol — reportedly for the Idaho state line — on Thursday to prevent the Democratic supermajority from passing the bill, which led Oregon Gov. Kate Brown (D) to send state police to round them up. One senator previously warned police to come "heavily armed" because he was determined not to become a "political prisoner."

That message apparently carried over to the militia groups who allegedly threatened the remaining Democrats and are reportedly planning to demonstrate at the capitol in support of the Republican senators who are on the lam. State police confirmed the danger facing the Democratic senators in a statement to The Washington Post.

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