JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — In the final week of the Missouri legislative session, the Senate is steaming toward an explosive conflict as lawmakers look to leverage major issues in the final days.
The Senate still needs to approve a bill to extend reimbursements related to Medicaid worth more than $3 billion to the state, a measure that Majority Floor Leader Ron Richard said would not get a vote until after the majority had a chance to vote on Right-to-Work and voter ID legislation.
Richard’s comments came after Senators reconvened on Friday but adjourning a few hours later, citing “stalling tactics” by Democrats. The minority party spent the entire morning Friday inquiring about a lengthy tax bill with numerous House amendments. Democrats have conducted lengthy inquiries on the floor in the last few days and appear to be looking to run out the clock on RTW and voter ID bills.
Richard told reporters it was his intention to vote on the Medicaid reimbursement today, but, citing intractable Democrats, said he would instead move to Right-to-Work and voter ID early next week. Several Democrats told reporters that they were simply “being deliberative” and that a few hours of inquiry did not constitute lengthy filibusters or “stalling.”
Democratic Senators Jill Schupp, Joe Keaveny, and Paul LeVota, all told reporters they were prepared to vote on Medicaid reimbursement, and said they didn’t know why Richard would “hold it hostage” to other priorities.
The Senate will return Monday evening for the final week of session.
Collin Reischman was the Managing Editor for The Missouri Times, and a graduate of Webster University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.
