VIDEO: First day of WA’s legislative session gets off to partisan start in the House

Washington State Republican Party Chair and state Rep. Jim Walsh of Aberdeen told The Center Square that the majority party’s tactics are clearly aimed at deflecting blame to the other Washington for problems they have created

Carleen Johnson
The Center Square Washington

On the first day of the 2026 legislative session in the Washington State House of Representatives, Republicans walked off the floor following remarks by House Speaker Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma.

After the initial pomp and circumstance of opening day ceremonies, Jinkins, who presides over all House floor action, took to the podium to give her opening remarks.

Her tone was decidedly anti-President Donald Trump.

“We begin the 2026 legislative session with much of our good work from previous sessions now threatened by the actions of a federal administration with far different policy goals than the majority of Washingtonians,” she said.

She blamed tariffs and the Trump-supported One Big Beautiful Bill Act for uncertainty in Washington state.

“President Trump’s tariffs are causing higher inflation, more economic uncertainty and greater price increases to Washington families,” Jinkins said. “People are feeling it in every corner of the state. It’s been six months since President Trump signed HR-1 into law, and the impact on Washington is ugly.”

Within seconds of Jinkins’ speech beginning, Republican members were visibly irritated, with some turning to fellow members with shrugged exasperated expressions, and others walking off the House floor.

“For that tone to be taken while downplaying their actions and the bills that they have passed and the things that they have done to make it harder on people, it’s not okay,” said Rep. Jenny Graham, R-Spokane Valley, who was the first member to walk off the floor.

Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Chehalis, also walked out.

“I think the speaker is exhibiting a really hateful tone. And it is not the tone we need to be taking starting off a very difficult legislative session,” Abbarno told The Center Square in the wings of the House. “They’re focusing on another Washington, when it’s this party and this majority who broke so many things in this state. This is the wrong direction, and it’s not helpful to start the session like this.”

In her speech, Jinkins blamed the Trump administration for the threat of many Washingtonians losing their health care coverage.

“Nearly 300,000 Washington residents are seeing immediate spikes in their health insurance premiums, including many self-employed Washingtonians and those whose jobs don’t provide health insurance,” she said.

Rep. Drew Stokesbary, R-Auburn, who serves as House minority leader, gave opening remarks for the GOP, attempting to shift the focus back to Washington state.

“I hate tariffs more than anybody. But tariffs don’t explain why life in this Washington is more expensive than it is in nearly any other state in the country,” Stokesbary said. “If we want to know why life in Washington is more expensive than it is in nearly every other state, we need to only look in the mirror.”

Stokesbary said Washington has the highest small business failure rate in the country.

“Major employers are hiring out of state, not in state,” he said. “We now lose 48 taxpayers every day, while states like Florida and Texas gain 500. Our state’s chief economist is now projecting zero job growth in all of 2026. So that’s why I keep saying our state is at an inflection point.”

Jinkins brought up the recent shooting death of Renee Good in Minneapolis. Good was shot by an ICE officer when she accelerated toward the officer who stood in front of her vehicle, as another ICE agent attempted to get her to step out of her car.

Jinkins said that majority-party Democrats are backing legislation, Senate Bill 5855, to prohibit law enforcement from wearing face coverings, including ski masks, during public duties, to increase transparency and accountability.

“We must be able to see and believe the law enforcement officers who approach us. There’s too much at risk if we can’t,” said Jinkins. “Masks are being used to obscure identities, to escalate tensions, to stoke fears, to deny public transparency, and to shield government from accountability. That can’t happen here.”

Her comments drew loud cheers from the Democratic side of the House, as many GOP members shook their heads in dismay.

The bill is scheduled to receive a public hearing on Tuesday.

Washington State Republican Party Chair and state Rep. Jim Walsh of Aberdeen told The Center Square that the majority party’s tactics are clearly aimed at deflecting blame to the other Washington for problems they have created.

“The speaker knows her caucus has screwed up,” he said. “They’ve screwed up tax policy. They’ve screwed up the budgets, and they’re trying to blame everything on Trump. It’s pathetic.”

It wasn’t all partisan rancor on the first day of a 60-day session.

Monday’s opening ceremonies in the House included the swearing in of five new members.

Libby Abell, 12, the daughter of Rep. Hunter Abell, R-Inchelium, sang the national anthem to loud cheers across the chamber and tears from her father, who received high-fives and hugs from fellow lawmakers.

This report was first published by The Center Square Washington.