Democrats lose supermajority in Oregon State Senate and House
PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) - Oregon Democrats lost their supermajority in both chambers of the state legislature.
A party can have a supermajority if it holds 36 of the 60 seats in the House and 18 of the 30 seats in the Senate. Before the Midterm Elections, Democrats held 37 of the 60 seats in the state House and 18 of the 30 seats in the state Senate, giving them a supermajority in both chambers.
HERE: Latest results in the big races, refreshed every two minutes
Under the Oregon Constitution, a tax bill needs three-fifths of votes in the state House and state Senate to pass. A supermajority allowed Democrats to pass bills without bipartisan support from Oregon Republicans.
SEE ALSO: Tina Kotek wins tight race for Oregon governor
In the Midterm Elections, Republicans flipped one state Senate seat in District 16 when Republican Suzanne Weber beat Democrat Melissa Busch, leaving Democrats at 17 seats and taking away their supermajority in the Senate. Oregon districts 21 and 22 also both flipped from Democrat to Republican causing the Democrats to lose the supermajority in the state House.
Democrats still retain control of both chambers in the state legislature but will now need bipartisan support to pass bills.
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