Republicans and an independent senator in the Oregon Senate extended a strike from Monday to 10 days, triggering a new constitutional provision that prohibits lawmakers with 10 or more unauthorized absences from being re-elected.

The strike that began on May 3 has delayed hundreds of bills, including on gun control, gender-affirming care and abortion rights, as a deadline threatened to disqualify them from re-election.

Three of the boycotting Senators, two Republicans, Senator Dennis Linthicum and Senator Daniel Bonham; and an independent, Senator Brian Boquist reached the 10-day limit on Monday, meaning they are automatically disqualified as legislators for upcoming four-year terms.

The strike by GOP senators in the Democrat-dominated legislature has prevented a Senate quorum, which required two-thirds of members to be present for the chamber to debate and vote on bills. Republicans have used the tactic in previous years.

On Monday, only 16 senators were present, four short of the quorum. All Republicans and the lone independent stayed away.

This time, a constitutional amendment last November overwhelmingly disqualified lawmakers with 10 unauthorized absences from re-election. At least some of the boycotting senators are expected to challenge their disqualification in court.