‘Hardball politics’ keeps Missouri Senate in futile weekend session | Politics

On a day when Republican die-hards were gathered in St. Charles for their annual Lincoln Days event, senators remained stuck in the Capitol, mired in a weeklong filibuster by conservatives who want to eliminate one of the state’s two safe Democratic districts as part of the once-per-decade redistricting process.

Senate President Dave Schatz, R-Sullivan, offered little hope that a vote was on the horizon after a week of futility.

“It’s a work in progress,” Schatz said. “We still are unable to find… that magic path that could lead us to a resolution.”

Sen. Mike Bernskoetter, R-Jefferson City, said the boundaries have undergone multiple revisions at the request of individual senators. But, when one line is moved in one district, that results in changes elsewhere that are unacceptable to another member, he said.

“We’re trying to find a way forward. We’ll just have to keep drawing maps,” Bernskoetter said.

The lingering stalemate comes after the House approved their version of a 6-2 map on Jan. 19. The House map leaves Democratic U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver’s Kansas City district largely intact and shores up Republican U.S. Rep. Ann Wagner’s GOP-leaning 2nd Congressional District in the St. Louis suburbs.

The 1st Congressional District, represented by U.S. Rep. Cori Bush, D-St. Louis, would take in more Webster Groves-area precincts than it currently does.

But, Republican Sens. Bob Onder of Lake Saint Louis and Bill Eigel of Weldon Spring have lobbied to keep St. Charles County in one congressional district. Sen. Denny Hoskins, R-Warrensburg, wants to keep Whiteman Air Force Base and Fort Leonard Wood in one district.

“This is hardball politics. We in Missouri need to do everything we can to send as many Republicans to Congress as we can,” Hoskins said.

Members of the so-called “Conservative Caucus” like Hoskins held the floor throughout the day, while other Republicans met in a Senate committee room to review different map options.

The House version places Jefferson County, south of St. Louis, entirely within the 3rd Congressional District, represented by Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-St. Elizabeth, near Jefferson City, in mid-Missouri.

The county is currently split between the 2nd, 3rd and 8th congressional districts.

Democrats argue they should have three safe seats due to President Joe Biden winning 41% in the 2020 presidential election.

Late Saturday, Senate Majority Leader Caleb Rowden, R-Columbia, issued a statement saying because the Senate has been unable to act on other business for several weeks, “for the time being, we will step away from this debate on the Senate floor.”

Rowden blamed “a small group of senators willing to send our congressional map to federal courts if they do not get districts that suit their ambition.”