Democrats may not hold hearing on domestic terrorism accusations against Rep. Matt Shea

Democratic leaders today said Republican Representative Matt Shea may be allowed to continue serving without a hearing despite the allegations of "domestic terrorism" against him, an accusation Shea denies.

Republicans have suspended Shea from their caucus. But even with the allegations him, he can still take to the floor of the House.

Representing Spokane Valley, Shea is a favorite of the so-called Patriot Movement.

An investigation commissioned by the legislature described him as a domestic terrorist after finding he helped organize and participated in a 2016 armed standoff in Oregon.

Democrats doubt they can get enough Republicans to go along with expelling him from the House. And they fear holding a hearing would give him a platform.

“If we can't achieve a supermajority, I think we'd have to think about what kind of voice we want to give to someone found to be a domestic terrorist on the floor on the House, said Democratic House Speaker Laurie Jinkins,.

Democratic Majority Leader Pat Sullivan added, “We also don't want to have. Rep. Shea take away the good work of the Legislature.”

Democrats say they have asked for copies of the underlying documents that led investigators to conclude that Shea has participated in domestic terrorism. And Jinkins said those papers would be shared with the public.

The evidence has been shared with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI for their review.

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