The Washington Capitol in Olympia. Credit: Austin Jenkins / Northwest News Network While Oregonâs Legislature feuds, Washington finds a way to work Apr 05, 2021 The two states are both led by strong Democratic majorities and face similar issues. Only one of them is successfully passing legislation. Catching majority Democrats off guard, the chamberâs 11 Republican members refused to attend a run-of-the-mill floor session that morning, denying a quorum and blocking the chamber from completing its modest agenda. It was a protest aimed not at any specific legislation, as extended walkouts in 2019 and 2020 had been. Instead, GOP members were protesting the stateâs ongoing Covid-19 restrictions. But even with that novelty, it was hard to generate much shock over a tactic that has become commonplace in Salem.