Rep. Edwards Boycotts House Floor: “Oregonians Deserve Better Than This”

Northwest Legislator Will Not Attend Monday Floor Session, Citing Broken Process

SALEM, ORE. — Representative Darcey Edwards (R-Banks) announced she will not attend Monday’s House floor session in protest of what she describes as “a rigged process, a broken agenda, and an increasingly hostile political environment.”

“I didn’t come to Salem to be a rubber stamp for policies that punish Oregonians and silence their voices,” said Edwards. “I came to fight for fairness, safety, and accountability—and I won’t legitimize a process that has abandoned all three.”

“On Monday, I’ll be showing up for my constituents—not by sitting at a desk, but by drawing a line,” Edwards said. “This place needs a wake-up call. And I’m not afraid to ring the bell.”

Edwards criticized what she calls a deeply flawed legislative process that continues to shut out everyday Oregonians. Among her chief concerns is House Bill 2025, a proposed transportation package that raises billions in new taxes and fees—hiking the gas tax by 55 cents per gallon, adding payroll and vehicle transfer taxes, and sharply increasing registration and licensing costs. “These burdens fall hardest on working families,” Edwards said, “without delivering any real reform to how ODOT operates.”

Edwards also condemned recent political maneuvers that, in her view, erode transparency and accountability. After voicing concerns about HB 2025, Senator Meek was removed from the Transportation Committee and replaced by Senate President Rob Wagner himself. Edwards called the move “undemocratic” and “a clear warning to anyone who dares to challenge party leadership.”

She further pointed to an incident on Friday, June 20, during the Joint Committee on Transportation hearing, in which Rep. Shelly Boshart-Davis (R-Albany) was verbally harassed and attacked by Senator Chris Gorsek (D-Troutdale) in full view of colleagues and leadership. The incident has gone unaddressed.

Watch the clip from the Committee Hearing here: https://youtu.be/nCLOYkTFvCo

“If the culture inside this building won’t protect its own members, how can we trust it to protect the people we represent?” Edwards asked. “If we can’t even expect state senators to treat one another with basic decorum and respect, why should Oregonians believe they’ll be treated with fairness and dignity? Leadership starts with how we treat each other—and right now, that example is broken.”

Emphasizing that her protest is not about partisanship—but about priorities—Edwards continued: “Every week I hear from people back home who are working harder and getting less. Oregon ranks last in the nation in addiction recovery, housing, and education. Instead of solving problems, this legislature is raising taxes, attacking small businesses, and turning a blind eye to lawlessness and dysfunction—both in our communities and within this Capitol.”

Representative Darcey Edwards serves Oregon House District 31 which includes all of Columbia County, and parts of Washington, Multnomah, and Yamhill Counties.

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1431
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-374, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.DarceyEdwards@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/edwards