PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Oregon State Senator Chris Gorsek (D-Gresham) resigned from his joint transportation committee seat on Monday after House Republicans accused him of "aggressive outbursts," and called for his resignation.

“To allow for the committee's focus to remain on completing the Oregon Transportation Reinvestment Package this session, I have offered my resignation from the Joint Committee on Transportation Reinvestment effective immediately," Sen. Gorsek announced Monday. "I support the compromise that's being offered from the House, and I look forward to voting in support of it on the Senate floor.”

The resignation stems from Friday's Joint Committee on Transportation Reinvestment work session. There, lawmakers were considering House Bill 2025, which would audit the Oregon Department of Transportation as lawmakers consider a major transportation investment package.

During the work session, House Republicans said Co-Vice Chair Representative Shelly Boshart Davis (R-Albany) was “singled out and aggressively shouted down on multiple occasions,” by Gorsek.

"It's really, disappointing at this point that, everybody from Co-Chair McLane, all the way up to the presiding officers at this point have not issued any sort of apology or taken responsibility for it," Boshart Davis said.

As lawmakers made final comments before a vote on the bill, Rep. Boshart Davis explained, “I want to state that we are looking at the largest tax increase in Oregon’s history," she said in opposition of the bill, raising concerns that the public has not had enough time to weigh in on the legislation.

“We received the revenue impact when we had eight hours of public hearings on the -12 (amendment) or the base bill, the public didn’t know that it costs $15 billion over the next 10 years. They may have said something different if they knew it had been the largest tax hike in Oregon’s history. And so, since we’ve known that realization, the public has not had the opportunity to weigh in. What we do know from the public though, is their online testimony and it currently sits at opposition 2:1," Boshart Davis said, in part. "We’re left with a $15 billion tax increase, with a few days left in session with a really bad process. When we talk about being grossly irresponsible, that’s what this is. I will be a no on this,” Boshart Davis said before Gorsek interrupted.

“Excuse me,” Gorsek said. “You are impugning all of us that have worked on that bill, so stop with that.”

“You made your point, representative,” Gorsek added with a raised voice.

At that point, Commitee Co-Chair Rep. Susan McLain (D-Forest Grove, Cornelius, Hillsboro) tried to stop the two from arguing, saying, "you guys, that's it," suggesting the lawmakers discuss their differences outside of the session.

On Monday, House Republicans called for Gorsek to be censured and demanded Senate President Rob Wagner (D-Lake Oswego) remove Gorsek from his committee assignments.

"Today House Republicans stand united with our colleague, Representative Boshart Davis, who was the target of Senator Gorsek’s repeated aggressive outbursts in committee last week. Prior to Representative Boshart Davis’s comments, multiple men on the committee spoke in opposition to HB 2025, but Senator Gorsek’s out-of-control shouting and aggressive behavior was directed solely towards Representative Boshart Davis,” House Republican Leader Christine Drazan (R-Canby) said.

“Senator Gorsek has a documented pattern of bullying, harassing, and intimidating female legislators who speak up and express opinions that differ from his. This behavior is not only abusive, it weakens our democratic institutions and has no place in our Capitol,” the Republican House leader added. “Senate President Rob Wagner’s shameful silence, failure to respond, and inaction has engendered a culture of intimidation and misogyny—both on the dais and off.”

“Senator Gorsek’s actions must not be ignored. I call on Senate President Wagner to stand with us to demand personal responsibility and accountability for the harm Senator Gorsek’s repeated behavior has caused to this institution. Senator Wagner must use his power to address this issue immediately,” Drazan concluded.

In addition to the calls to censure and remove Gorsek from his committees, House Republicans demanded a building-wide notification when Gorsek was expected to be in the Capitol, mandated workplace harassment and anger management training and demanded a formal apology.

After Friday’s work session, Boshart Davis filed a formal complaint against Gorsek for violating the Legislative Branch Personnel Rule 2: Safe, Respectful and Inclusive Workplace.

In response to Gorsek's actions, seven House Republicans boycotted Monday's legislative session: Reps. Court Boice (R-Gold Beach), Virgle Osborne (R-Roseburg), Dwayne Yunker (R-Grants Pass), Alek Skarlatos (R-Canyonville), Boomer Wright (R-Coos Bay), Darin Harbick (R-Eastern Lane County), and Ed Diehl (R-Stayton).