For the second time this week, the Missouri House has taken a day off from floor action.
And once again, it’s tied to the struggle between the House and Senate over congressional redistricting.
The House, instead, held a brief technical session this morning before standing at ease. Majority Floor Leader Tim Jones (R, Eureka) says the House will remain in recess until negotiators come up with a compromise map – or until 11:00 p.m., whichever comes first.
“I believe we are at this point because the Senate delayed in sending us the message that we sent to them last week," Jones said. "We sent a message asking them to do the conference last Wednesday, a week ago, and we simply did not even receive a response to that until (yesterday).”
Jones says if negotiators can craft a compromise map today, then the House will hold a rare Good Friday session and debate the map tomorrow. Otherwise, House debate would be delayed until at least next week.
The Senate’s point man on redistricting was not available for comment last night.
The Missouri House also suspended floor action on Monday, citing a lack of response from the Senate on appointing redistricting conferees.
