JEFFERSON CITY — Democrats derailed business in the Senate on Wednesday after the sponsor of a plan to make citizen-led constitutional amendments more difficult floated the idea of trying to force through a more controversial version of the measure.
In comments to a House committee on Tuesday, Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, R-Arnold, said she hoped the House would change legislation senators approved in February that would ask voters to raise the bar for constitutional amendment efforts led by citizens.
That version does not include extraneous provisions — such as limiting voting on constitutional amendments to U.S. citizens and banning foreign influence in initiative petitions — that Democrats derided as unnecessary “ballot candy†to gain more support.
People are also reading…
The measure would require citizen-led constitutional amendments to win a statewide simple majority as well as majorities in five of eight congressional districts.
Coleman urged House lawmakers to amend the bill, which would send the measure back to the Senate for additional action.
“It is my fervent hope that you all will improve upon†this resolution, Coleman told the House Elections and Elected Officials Committee on Tuesday.
Coleman later mentioned possible use of the “previous question†motion — a parliamentary maneuver used to cut off debate and force a vote — when asked about an amended version’s chances in the Senate.
“This bill is my top priority,†Coleman said. “I can make a commitment on my behalf that I’ll do everything I can to get this bill truly agreed and finally passed.â€
Her comments angered Senate Democrats, who took to the floor Wednesday afternoon and promised no action would take place that day. The Senate adjourned for the day less than two hours into the blockade.
While the faster-moving House regularly uses the “previous question†maneuver to cut off debate and advance legislation, the Senate is accustomed to unlimited debate. Cutting off debate is viewed as an option of last resort that promises later retaliation by the minority.
“I don’t think we want to do this, but I think we have to do this,†said Sen. Lauren Arthur, D-Kansas City, as she helped block action Wednesday afternoon. “We have to show that what happened is not OK.â€
If the measure comes back to the Senate with controversial changes, Democrats are almost guaranteed to launch a filibuster.
Eighteen senators at that point could vote to cut off debate and force a vote on the measure. But it was unclear whether 18 Republicans would vote for such an item.
Nine Republicans voted with nine Democrats in February to strip extra provisions from the resolution, which would go before voters later this year.
Coleman, an abortion opponent and candidate in the 3rd Congressional District, did not vote to strip out the extra provisions.
The legislation is .