Missouri Senate passes new rules that makes it harder to end debate in chamber

Lucas Geisler

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri Senate passed new rules on Tuesday that could make it harder to force an end to debate in the chamber.

The chamber voted 23-11 on two new rules, sponsored by Senate President Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin (R-Shelbina). One change requires more signatures on a motion to vote on the “previous question.” It now takes 18 senator signatures to move forward with such a move, up from 10. A “previous question” motion still needs 18 votes to pass.

The use of the maneuver in the senate came under criticism last session by Democrats, who had their late-session filibuster ended by it. Republican senate leaders forced votes on an abortion resolution for the 2026 ballot and a rollback of paid sick leave voters approved in 2024. Democratic senators had promised to slow down the session this year because of those moves.

Senate records show 11 GOP senators voted against the rule changes.

The resolution also requires any Senate bill that comes to the chamber with amendments from the House of Representatives sit on its calendar for one day before taken up. Senate Democrats posted yesterday the measure would save taxpayers money from “costly mistakes made by the GOP-led Legislature.”

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