Oregon Lawmakers Call For New Curbs On Federal Officers Involved In Quelling Demonstrations

Merkley is trying to include these new curbs on federal law enforcement in an annual defense authorization bill headed to the Senate floor. Merkley. Wyden and Reps. Earl Blumenauer and Suzanne Bonamici, also plan to introduce stand-alone bills in both chambers, called the "Preventing Authoritarian Policing Tactics on America's Streets Act."

Oregon legislative aides acknowledge the legislative actions are a long shot, in large part because Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, holds tight control over any legislation in the Senate.

However, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-California, this weekend joined Blumenauer in criticizing the federal deployments. And the Oregon lawmakers have been reaching out to Republicans, hoping to gain their support since many conservatives have long supported local control over federal interference.