Oregon House Republicans Boycott as Votes on Gas Tax, Gun Control Loom

GOP lawmakers refuse to show up for legislative session amid disputes over transportation tax referendum and gun legislation

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Oregon House Republicans announced they would boycott the House floor on Monday, shortly after the state Senate sent a controversial bill to the House that would reschedule a referendum on transportation tax and fee increases from November to May. The Republican walkout coincided with a dispute over a gun control bill, with Democrats moving to replace the chair of the House Committee on Conduct, Rep. Jason Kropf, after another lawmaker accused him of creating a hostile environment during committee deliberations.

Why it matters

The Republican boycott denies Democrats a quorum, potentially delaying or blocking votes on the gas tax referendum and gun control legislation. The dispute over Kropf's conduct also highlights growing partisan tensions in the Oregon legislature around high-profile policy issues.

The details

House Republicans, led by Rep. Greg Smith, said they were pausing deliberations on the House floor to protest the Democratic majority's actions. This includes the bill to reschedule the transportation tax referendum and the move to replace Kropf, a vocal gun control advocate, on the House Conduct Committee. Democrats accused Kropf of creating a hostile environment, but a complaint filed by a gun rights advocate was dismissed by the Legislative Equity Office.

  • The Republican walkout was announced on Monday afternoon, shortly after the Oregon Senate sent the House a bill to reschedule the transportation tax referendum.
  • House Democrats emerged from a caucus meeting two hours after the chamber was set to convene, with House Majority Leader Ben Bowman announcing that Kropf had resigned from the House Conduct Committee.

The players

Greg Smith

A Republican state representative from Heppner who announced the Republican boycott in a video posted to social media.

Ed Diehl

A Republican state representative from Scio who confirmed his caucus would not be returning to the chamber ahead of the vote on gun control legislation.

Thủy Trần

A Democratic state representative from Portland who accused Rep. Jason Kropf of creating a hostile environment during committee deliberations on the gun control bill.

Jason Kropf

A Democratic state representative from Bend who chaired the House Committee on Conduct and was a vocal advocate for gun control legislation.

Lucetta Elmer

The House Minority Leader, a Republican from McMinnville, who accused Democrats of attempting to sweep the dispute over Kropf's conduct under the rug.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“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.”

— Greg Smith, Republican state representative (KTVZ)

“The allegation that a lawmaker created a hostile working environment by intimidating another lawmaker into changing their vote is a serious allegation that creates distrust in the democratic process. It must be properly addressed and thoroughly investigated through a transparent process that respects the victim and remedies the wrong committed against them.”

— Lucetta Elmer, House Minority Leader, Republican (KTVZ)

“You're expecting to be able to hear testimony and see a vote on a bill, and then to just have it not happen, it's frustrating.”

— Laura Daniel, Retired teacher from Keizer (KTVZ)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.