The bill is a step forward for the Greater Idaho movement, which says rural Oregon is more similar politically, culturally, and economically to Idaho.

"The Greater Idaho movement" :data-laughing:

Mike McCarter, center, has galvanized a coalition of 8 counties to secede from Oregon, moving into Idaho, where they would find more amenable politics.Courtesy of Greater Idaho, greateridaho.org.

The Greater Idaho movement seeks to redraw state boundaries so rural Oregon can join Idaho.

Idaho's House voted in favor of exploring the move after 11 Oregon counties did the same.

Moving the state boundary would require the approval of Oregon, Idaho, and the U.S. Congress.

The Greater Idaho movement — a conservative effort to have eastern Oregon secede from the blue state and join Idaho — got a major nod of support last week from lawmakers in the red state.