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Oregon's Democratic U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden (left) and Jeff Merkley are asking a federal judge to quash subpoenas issued by Oregon standoff defendant Ryan Bundy.

(The Oregonian)

UPDATED at 1:36 p.m.: U.S. Rep. Greg Walden, who represents eastern Oregon, also seeks to quash Ryan Bundy's subpoena

UPDATED at 4:11 p.m.: U.S. District Judge Anna J. Brown agrees to suspend Ryan Bundy's subpoenas against the state lawmakers

Oregon's U.S. senators, who like the governor were subpoenaed by Oregon standoff defendant Ryan Bundy to testify at his federal trial next month, are also urging the judge to quash the court orders.

Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley argue that they have no first-hand knowledge of the matters before the court and the subpoenas should be thrown out because they're "unreasonable and impose an undue burden'' on the elected officials.

They also criticized the subpoenas as overly broad in that they sought "any and all email and memos regarding the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.''

Document: Motion to Quash

A lawyer for the senators cited the U.S. Constitution's Speech or Debate Clause that protects the senators from being compelled to testify or produce documents regarding legislative issues.

Discussion of federal land management, law enforcement jurisdiction, conservation matters and oversight of federal agencies falls within "the legislative sphere privileged under" the clause, Senate legal counsel Patricia Mack Bryan wrote on their behalf.

Last week, U.S. District Judge Anna J. Brown quashed Bundy's subpoena for Gov. Kate Brown, finding that he failed to show "extraordinary circumstances'' that would justify ordering the governor to testify in the refuge takeover case.

Bundy, who is representing himself, is one of eight defendants set to go to trial next month on a federal conspiracy charge, accused of conspiring to impede federal employees at the refuge from doing their work. The case stems from the 41-day occupation of the bird sanctuary in Harney County.

Jury selection begins Sept. 7 and opening statements are scheduled to begin the following week.

-- Maxine Bernstein

mbernstein@oregonian.com

503-221-8212

@maxoregonian