Some Senate Democrats could be thinking about holding up debate next week in the veto session as they did before the end of the regular session in May, in response to the Republican majority forcing a vote on a “right to work” bill.
Senator Joseph Keaveny (D-St. Louis)
Senate Democrat Leader Joe Keaveny (D-St. Louis) said some in his caucus are still upset about the tactics used by Republicans to advance the “right to work” issue.
“Attitudes are still stressed. I’ve got some members of my caucus that want to stop everything and some members that just want to move on. That’s something we’re going to have to come together with as a caucus,” said Keaveny.
“Has it simmered down? Yes, it is tempered somewhat,” said Keaveny. “I have no indication that we’re going to continue the path that we were on when we left, but we very well might.”
Senator Scott Sifton (D-Affton) was one of the leaders of the Democrat filibuster in the final days of the session. He said he’s not anxious to see debate proceed.
“There was never, and I mean never, an opportunity for one legislator, Democrat or Republican, to offer any amendment to the ‘right to work’ language itself on the floor. So not only was debate terminated, alternatives and modifications were not even entertained,” said Sifton. “Without going into conversations that have happened internally, and I can only speak for myself. As long as ‘right to work’ is in play, I’m going to be pretty reluctant to move forward on too much too quickly.”
Senator Scott Sifton (D-Affton)
Keaveny thinks eventually Democrats will need to move on.
“I don’t think the voters, the people who sent me up there, want to turn Jefferson City into a mini Washington, D.C. I think they sent us up there to debate and do meaningful things and make Missouri a better place. That’s where I want to end up,” said Keaveny.
The House is not expected to have enough votes to support the override, meaning the bill would not reach the Senate. Sixteen bills vetoed by Governor Jay Nixon could be considered for overrides next week.
