SALEM — The Capitol became a place without Republicans Tuesday, an extraordinary act of defiance of the control by Democrats.Their absence is grinding to a halt votes in the House and the Senate, plugging the political pipeline meant to cure immediate needs of Oregonians.

 SALEM — Republican legislators on Tuesday put the brakes on the Oregon Legislature, disrupting an evening session of the House by leaving in protest because they said their members needed more time to consider contentious bills.