JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A group of senators spent the night reading books during a session that began early Tuesday evening, staging an overnight filibuster that further pushed back the approval of gubernatorial appointments.
Missouri Senators gaveled in for the session around 6 p.m. Monday and the filibuster has stretched at least 15 hours into early Tuesday morning.
Overnight, a handful of senators, including several members of the Freedom Caucus, stood up on the floor and read books.
In recent weeks, the group has been linked to filibusters and heated arguments. Members of the Freedom Caucus say they’re tired of waiting to debate legislation that changes GOP priorities, like the initiative petition process and education reform.
The gridlock in the Senate is holding up the approval of dozens of the governor’s appointments to various boards and commissions, including the director of the Department of Health and Senior Services and the Department of Social Services.
The full article is available at ozarksfirst.com.
(Story by Joey Schneider, Emily Manley, ozarksfirst.com)